Triage Rules for Pediatric Eye and Adult Strabismus Clinics
Same Day Emergent Referrals
Trauma:
- Penetrating/perforating
- Metal on metal
- Severe blunt trauma
- Mild blunt trauma with ocular symptoms
- If the patient has multiple injuries or is not being referred by a physician, they should report to the nearest Emergency Room
Schedule within 24 hours
- Red Swollen Eye
- Blood IN eye associated with vision symptoms
- Chemical burn or cleaner splashed in eye - If the patient has multiple injuries or is not being referred, they should report to the nearest Emergency Room, chemical burns need copious irrigation with water immediately.
- Postoperative patient with increased redness, pain or swelling
- Sudden loss of vision
Schedule within 2-5 days
- White pupil
- Absent red reflex
- Cataract in a baby
- Red eye
- Eye pain with tearing, and/or photophobia, eye surface swelling, lid swelling
- Headache associated with pain and double vision
- Cloudy cornea
Schedule within 2 Weeks
- Sudden onset of strabismus or diplopia in a child
- Eyes that are constantly misaligned
- One pupil larger than the other– new onset.
- Blood on the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage)
Schedule within 1 month
- Child not tracking well
- Eyes bobbing (nystagmus )
- Droopy eye lid
- Chalazion
Schedule Next Available
- Longstanding Strabismus, Adults
- Headaches without visual symptoms
- Eyestrain when reading
- Sits to close to TV
- Excessive blinking
- Difficulty when reading
- Abnormal head position/Head Tilt
- Failed vision screening unless more urgent problem above
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
- ALL appointment cancelling, and rescheduling calls should go through the ROP coordinator