Assessment for cataract surgery

Assessment for cataract surgery — referral criteria for Ophthalmology services.

Full SRC reference

Eligibility

At least one must be met for the patient to be eligible for referral.

Clinically suspected or confirmed assessment for cataract surgery with initial primary-care work-up completed

Routine referral criteria

Determine Category 2 or 3 urgency.

Patient requests surgery for documented cataract with either:

significant disabling symptoms that affect the person’s activities of daily living (e.g. light or glare sensitivity, ability to drive, recognise faces, work or self-care, increased risk of falls)

visual acuity 6/12 or worse in the affected eye

Usually managed in primary care

If the patient is not willing to have surgical treatment
Lens opacities that do not have a significant impact on the person’s activities of daily living
Prior to the person’s vision being corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, or the use of visual aids