Clinical Lead - Dr Sunil Warrier
Catchment criteria applies for referrals for this service. Patient referrals from outside the Mater SEQ Catchment (which includes Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Services) may not be accepted.
This page contains information for general practitioners on how to refer patients aged 16 years and over to Ophthalmology services at Mater Hospital Brisbane.
Mater Hospital Brisbane's Ophthalmology Service offers a multidisciplinary approach with ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists and skilled nurses offering care individualised to each patient’s needs.
Referral Guideline Development
These Mater Referral Guidelines align with standardised best practice tools for referral to publicly funded specialist outpatient services developed in Queensland through the Clinical Prioritisation Criteria project.
Contact us
If you would like to discuss a referral, including clinical criteria, or update the status of a current patient please contact our priority GP phone line on 07 3163 2200
Bulk Billed Clinics
Mater Health Services offers patients the opportunity to attend bulk billed clinics. To provide your patient with the opportunity to attend a bulk billed specialist clinic, please provide a named referral to one of our specialists.
Current Waiting Time for Appointments
We provide up to date data on how long patients are waiting for their first appointment by specialty here.
Emergency care
If any of the following are present or suspected, phone 000 to arrange immediate transfer to the emergency department or seek emergency medical advice if in a remote region.
Emergency conditions
Retinal artery occlusion
- Patients with central or branch retinal artery occlusion
Glaucoma
- Congenital glaucoma e.g. big eye/s, cloudy cornea, photosensitive, tearing
- Angle closure glaucoma (unilateral red eye associated with pain, nausea, loss of vision, photophobia, steamy cornea, hard tender globe, ‘rainbows’ around lights, or sluggish pupil reactions)
- Patients with IOP >35mmHg
Adult Strabismus
- Sudden onset of any of the following:
- constant convergent squint (esotropia) or
- divergent squint (exotropia) or
- double vision at any age
Other referrals to emergency
- Sudden severe visual loss e.g. macular or vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment or retinal artery occlusion
- Rubeosis iridis (iris new vessels)
- Corneal graft rejection
- Contact lens keratitis, corneal ulcers
- Uveitis/scleritis
- Intra ocular pressure (IOP) > 35 mmHg
- Signs and/or symptoms of retinal detachment
- Acute injury e.g. trauma, burns, chemical exposure, foreign body
- Acutely inflamed eye
- Preseptal/orbital cellulitis - worsening eyelid oedema, erythema and proptosis
- Ocular signs or symptoms of temporal arteritis
- Ophthalmology conditions associated with sudden onset neurological signs and/or symptoms e.g. third cranial nerve palsy or optic disc swelling
Conditions in scope
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
- OCT results
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
- Consider annual review by a private ophthalmologist or optometrist
- Patients with AMD should eat a healthy balanced diet and avoid smoking
- Sunglasses may reduce glare and excessive UV light exposure
Clinical resources
- RANZCO Referral Pathway for AMD Screening and Management by Optometrists
Patient resources
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
New onset of reduced central vision and/or distortion due to wet AMD Referral to continue treatment of wet AMD
| Recent significant progression of dry AMD NB: Dry AMD is not routinely seen unless practitioner is concerned about recent significant progression | No Category 3 criteria |
Allergic Eye Disease
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
- Avoid allergens if possible
- Check for corneal epithelial damage with fluorescein
- Topical antihistamines and mast cell stabilisers
- Oral antihistamines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Severe allergic eye disease with corneal involvement
| Severe allergic eye disease without corneal involvement (thickened eyelids, stringy mucoid discharge, severe itch) | Mild allergic eye disease without corneal involvement that is non-responsive to topical antihistamines or mast cell stabilisers |
Cataracts
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles) with refraction in the last 12 months
- Whether first or second eye
- Symptoms and duration of problem
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private Ophthalmologist or Optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
- Professional drivers with specific VA requirements for employment
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Consider requesting an eye examination with a private ophthalmologist or optometrist to confirm the presence of cataracts and to optimise vision with glasses where possible
- Control co-morbidities
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
- Please consider clinical modifiers and note as applicable (impact on employment/education/home/ADLs/ability to care for others/personal frailty or safety or identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander)
Patient resources
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Documented cataract with documented significant impact on activities of daily living (ADL) and BCVA worse than 6/36 in both eyes
| Documented cataract with significant impact on ADL and:
| Documented cataract with significant impact on ADL and BCVA worse than 6/12 in either eye |
Chalazion / Meibomian Cyst
Essential information (referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Medical management and efficacy
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
Medical management including:
- Warm compresses have been applied to the affected eyelid(s) for 15 minutes, 4 times a day
- Lid massage has been applied to non-inflamed chalazia in an attempt to cause spontaneous discharge
- Topical antibiotic eye drops or ointment (e.g. chloramphenicol or fusidic acid) if associated infection
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| No Category 2 criteria | Failed maximal medical management of inflammatory eyelid mass (chalazion) |
Diabetic Retinopathy
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
- Date diagnosed/duration
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms*
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) results
- Type of diabetes and duration of disease
- Previous eye treatment e.g. retinal laser
- HbA1c (most recent within the last six months and previous three if available)
- Fasting blood glucose results
- Fasting lipids results
- Blood pressure
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
- RANZCO guidelines suggest rescreening in one year for patients with mild NPDR
- Recommend annual diabetic retinopathy photo-screening (photo-screening should be read by an accredited practitioner)
- Please consider clinical modifiers and note as applicable (Impact on employment/education/home/ADLs/ability to care for others/ personal frailty or safety or identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander)
Clinical resources
Patient resources
- RANZCO diabetic retinopathy
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Diagnosis of diabetes and any of the following:
| Diagnosis of diabetes and any of the following:
| No Category 3 criteria
NB Routine referral for screening without evidence of diabetic retinopathy will not be accepted. |
Ectropion
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Check for corneal epithelial damage with fluorescein
- Lubrication/artificial tears
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| Severe ectropion with tarsal exposure | Symptomatic ectropion |
Entropion
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Check for corneal epithelial damage with fluorescein
- Teach how to evert lower lid and tape in the everted position
- Lubrication/artificial tears
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Symptomatic entropion with significant corneal epithelial damage
| Symptomatic entropion | No category 3 criteria |
Epiphora (Watery Eyes)
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Eyelid hygiene if epiphora secondary to blepharitis
- Lubricants or artificial tears if epiphora secondary to dry eyes/blepharitis
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| No category 2 criteria | Symptomatic epiphora due to obstruction of the nasolacrimal system |
Epiretinal Membrane
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Optical coherence tomography report
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| Epiretinal membrane with BCVA worse than 6/12 | Symptomatic epiretinal membrane with BCVA 6/12 or better NB: asymptomatic epiretinal membranes with good BCVA should not be referred |
Fuch's (Endothelial) Dystrophy
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- No additional information
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Request an eye examination by private ophthalmologist or optometrist to optimise vision with glasses
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Fuch’s Endothelial dystrophy and Corneal decompensation with bullae
| Fuch’s Endothelial dystrophy and BCVA worse than 6/36 | Fuch’s Endothelial dystrophy and BCVA worse than 6/12 |
Glaucoma
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, IOP, visual fields & disc assessment
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Optical coherence tomography
- Refraction, gonioscopy, pachymetry
- Photograph – with patient’s consent, where secure image transfer, identification and storage is possible
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Recommend ongoing review by a private ophthalmologist or optometrist until seen in ophthalmology outpatient's department
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Clinical resources
Patient resources
- RANZCO Glaucoma
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Likely diagnosis of glaucoma and any of the following:
| Likely diagnosis of glaucoma and any of the following:
| IOP ≥22mmHg < 28mmHg WITH any of the following:
|
Intraocular Melanoma
Please note Mater is not accepting referrals for Intraocular melanoma. Please refer to your local HHS or consider private options.
Keratoconus
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- No additional information
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Request an eye examination by private ophthalmologist or optometrist to confirm the presence of keratoconus and to optimise vision with glasses or contact lenses
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Keratoconus with hydrops
| Keratoconus with signs of progression | Keratoconus with stable findings |
Lid Lesions
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Pathology results of lesion biopsy
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
- Clinical diagram including size in mm
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Proven or suspected eyelid squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma
| Proven or suspected eyelid basal cell carcinoma | Benign eyelid lesions affecting vision or causing functional deficit NB: minor cosmetic eyelid lesions should not be referred |
Macular Hole
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Optical coherence tomography
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| Lamellar macular hole with BCVA worse than 6/12 | Lamellar macular hole with BCVA of 6/12 or better |
Posterior Capsular Opacity
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- No additional information
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| No category 2 criteria | Documented posterior capsular opacity and significant impact on ADL |
Pterygium
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
- Ophthalmologist or optometrist report which states size of pterygium from limbus to apex
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Medical management
- Lubrication/artificial tears
- Wear protective sunglasses (wrap around style UV400)
- Update spectacles
- Consider annual review by private ophthalmologist or optometrist
Patient resources
- RANZCO Pterygium
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| Size - 3mm or greater from limbus to apex and visual axis is threatened and/or dysplasia | Size - 3mm or greater from limbus to apex |
Ptosis
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
No category 1 criteria
| Symptomatic ptosis involving visual axis | Symptomatic ptosis not involving visual axis |
Retinal Artery Occlusion
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
- Recent blood tests including cholesterol, FBC ELFT ESR or other known thrombotic disorders
- Imaging of carotid arteries (USS or angiography)
- Echocardiogram and ECG results
- Recent blood pressure measurement
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Management of cardiovascular risk factors
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Refer directly to emergency if clinically indicated:
No category 1 criteria
| Incidental finding of branch retinal artery occlusion or retinal arteriole cholesterol embolus (Hollenhorst plaque) | No category 3 criteria |
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- BCVA (vision with most recent distance spectacles)
Additional referral information (useful for processing the referral)
- Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms
- Recent IOP
- Recent blood tests including cholesterol FBC ELFT or known thrombotic disorders
- Recent blood pressure measurement
Other useful information for management (not an exhaustive list)
- Refer to Healthpathways or local guidelines
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
All central retinal vein occlusions Branch retinal vein occlusion with recent decrease in vision
| Branch retinal vein occlusion without recent decrease in vision | No category 3 criteria |
Strabismus (Squint)
Please note Mater is not accepting referrals for Strabismus (squint). Please refer to your local HHS or consider private options.
Other Ophthalmology Condition
Essential information (Referral will be declined without this)
- General Referral Information
- Visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity with glasses for both eyes
- Relevant condition information
- Relevant pathology and imaging reports
Categorisation
Available appointments are provided to our patients based on clinical priority. A process of categorisation ensures safety and equity of access.
Category 1 – Urgent Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 30 days | Category 2 - Priority Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 90 days | Category 3 - Routine Clinically recommended timeframe for initial appointment is 365 days |
Conditions not in scope
Non-routine conditions
- Laser refractive surgery for cornea
- Cataract (patients with best corrected visual acuity in the affected eye of 6/12 or better will not be accepted unless clinical modifiers apply
- Diabetic Retinopathy without confirmation of diagnosis
- Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (unless the practitioner is concerned about progression to wet AMD)
- Pterygium less than 3mm from limbus to apex
- Lid Lesions for minor cosmetic reasons
- Refractive error (prescriptions of spectacles)
- Mild Dry Eyes
- Mild Ptosis
- Paediatric patients requiring public services should be referred to Childrens Health Queensland HHS
- Intraocular melanoma
- Strabismus (squint)