GPs are encouraged to send patients to the closest available emergency eye clinic.

Find the closest emergency eye unit using the interactive eye-casualty services map.

See Downloads for the Moorfields eye emergency guide, containing a decision-making tree to support the referral process for the following:

• red eye, red flags
• eyelid swelling
• superficial corneal pathology
• watery eyes
• acute loss of vision.

Virtual emergency triage

Moorfields can provide emergency triage consultations on the Attend Anywhere platform for cases that GPs feel unable to manage.

Please note: Patients are pre-screened to check that they are within the Moorfields area. The eye-casualty services map will direct you to the closest unit. Please advise patients that this is a triage tool, not an examination tool, as many expect that they will be examined virtually.

Information for patients about video consultations can be found on the Moorfields website.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• patients with urgent, sight-threatening problems, such as:
  • penetrating eye injury
  • chemical/thermal burns to eye
  • giant cell arteritis with loss of vision
  • flashes and floaters of recent onset
  • sudden loss of vision
  • retinal detachment
  • contact lens ulcers
  • acute cranial nerve paresis
  • corneal abrasions
  • corneal foreign bodies
  • symptoms of acute angle closure glaucoma
  • optometry referrals for pressures >30mmHg. 

Exclusions

• patients with non-urgent problems (e.g. dry eyes, itchy eyes, hay fever, cataracts)
• Moorfields carries out active triage; if not urgent, a patient may be triaged away from A&E
• A&E is unable to offer second opinion requests.

How to Refer

Locations

Moorfields Eye Hospital