Pterygium – Adult
Emergency and immediate referrals
Referral to Emergency Department:
Immediate Referral (seen within 7 days):
| Presenting symptoms |
- Symptomatic and/or rapidly growing pterygium (if extension onto cornea of ≥ 3mm roughly half way across from limbus to apex of pterygium, and visual axis is threatened)
|
| 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 and duration of treatments
|
| Highly desirable referral information |
- Most recent optometrist or ophthalmologist reports/results if available and where providing it will not delay care:
- Size of pterygium from limbus to apex
|
Indicative triage category
| Indicative triage category |
Cat 1
Appointment within 30 days |
-
Suspected ocular surface squamous neoplasia
|
Cat 2
Appointment within 90 days |
|
Cat 3
Appointment within 365 days |
|
Excluded ophthalmology services
Referral to public ophthalmology outpatient services is not routinely accepted for the following conditions:
| Condition |
Details (where applicable) |
| Asymptomatic pterygium |
|
| Patient does not want surgery |
|
| Removal for cosmetic reasons |
|
Useful Information for referring practitioners
More information
Email: DOHSpecialistRAC@health.wa.gov.au