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Pterygium – Adult

Pterygium – Adult

Emergency and immediate referrals

Referral to Emergency Department:

  • Nil

Immediate Referral (seen within 7 days):

  • Nil
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 

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 ophthalmologist report  including:
    • Size of pterygium from limbus to apex 
Indicative triage category
Indicative triage category
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days
  • Suspected ocular surface squamous neoplasia 
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days
  • Suspected dysplasia 
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days
  • Symptomatic pterygium
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
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