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Allergic eye disease – Adult

Allergic eye disease – Adult

Emergency and immediate referrals

Referral to Emergency Department

  • Nil

Immediate referral (seen within 7 days):

  • Contact lens keratitis, corneal ulcers - H/o contact lens wear with reduced vision or epithelial defect, trauma, pain

To contact the relevant service, please refer to HealthPathways Acute Ophthalmology Assessment (seen within 7 days).

Presenting symptoms
  • Associated with reduced vision, pain, significant mucus, and inadequate response to first line treatments (e.g. topical antihistamines and/or mast cell stabilisers)
  • Chronic skin or ocular surface changes
Mandatory referral information (referral will be returned if this information is not included)
  • Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) - vision with most recent distance spectacles
  • Details of previous treatments and outcome
  • Details of skin or ocular surface

If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/results in the referral

Referrer to state reason if not able to include mandatory referral information in referral (e.g. patient unable to access test due to geographical location or financial cost)
Highly desirable referral information
  • Most recent optometrist or private ophthalmologist report including:
    • Refraction
    • Impact of symptoms
    • Treatment to date
  • Assessment to determine corneal involvement
Indicative triage category
Indicative triage category
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days
  • Severe allergic eye disease with corneal involvement
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days
  • Severe allergic eye disease without corneal involvement (thickened eyelids, stringy mucoid discharge, severe itch)
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days
  • Mild allergic eye disease without corneal involvement that is non-responsive to first line treatments (e.g. topical anti-histamines or mast cell stabilisers)
Excluded ophthalmology services

Referral to public ophthalmology outpatient services is not routinely accepted for the following conditions:

Condition Details (where applicable)
Longstanding itchy eyes
Chronic red eye No associated vision loss
Self-limiting and uncomplicated conjunctivitis  
Useful Information for referring practitioners
wa.gov.au