Referral criteria from primary care - dry eyes

referral criteria for patients with dry eye syndrome

Consider referring patients to an optometrist before an ophthalmologist. An optometrist can assess people with dry eye syndrome and advice on treatment.

Referral to an ophthalmologist is recommended for patients with the following:

• moderate to severe eye pain or photophobia, marked redness in one eye, or reduced visual acuity - same day referral
  
  
• uncontrolled symptoms despite appropriate treatment for about four weeks
  
  
• deterioration of visual acuity
  
  
• suspected corneal damage or ulcers
  
  
• diagnosis that requires specialist assessment
  
  
• presence of an underlying disease that requires specialist management e.g. - Sjögren's syndrome, eyelid deformities (1)

Reference:

• (1) Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. The management of dry eye. BMJ. 2016;353:i2333.