Contact
Phone: (02) 9382 0034
Email: schn-schoutpatientseyeclinic@health.nsw.gov.au
Location: Outpatients Department, Level 0, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick
About our service
The Ophthalmology service, commonly known as The Lion’s Eye Clinic for Children, operates alongside the Prince of Wales Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women.
Our service provides comprehensive tertiary and secondary care, and treatment for all aspects of paediatric ophthalmology, including:
- general ophthalmology
- Amblyopia and strabismus
- screening of genetic conditions
- Craniofacial conditions
- Retinopathy of prematurity
- Oculoplastic, Medical retina and Corneal subspecialty clinics
- Electroretinography (ERG), Visual evoked responses (VER) and dark adaptation (EDG)
- Emergency department/inpatient reviews
- Statewide Preschooler Eyesight Screening (StEPS) program clinic.
Referral process for clinicians
Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely.
Consultmed questions and technical support: helpdesk@consultmed.co
Referral and appointment process for parents and carers
Request a referral
To make an appointment at our clinic, you will need a referral from your GP, paediatrician or specialist.
They will assess your child, discuss your concerns, and make a referral to the appropriate service.
Eligibility guidelines
- Reason for referral: Due to the demand for our service, appointments within the Eye clinic are primarily reserved for eye conditions that are deemed to be life or sight-threatening. Referrals for reasons not deemed to be at a tertiary level may not be allocated an appointment within our service.
- Patient’s age: New patients who would not be eligible for an appointment until after their 16th birthday should be referred to an adult ophthalmology service (some exemptions are made for up to 18-year-olds with complex needs).
Catchment area
- Tertiary referrals are accepted for all children living in NSW
- Secondary referrals (e.g. lazy eyes and crossed eyes) should be referred firstly to the local area health service unless the patient lives within the Sydney Children’s Hospital catchment area
Track your referral
Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring clinician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.
New patient referrals are assessed by the Orthoptic team against the eligibility guidelines and are allocated an appointment based on urgency.
Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment.
To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.
If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.
Need support?
If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us.
Phone: (02) 9382 0034
Email: schn-schoutpatientseyeclinic@health.nsw.gov.au
Urgent referrals: Contact the ophthalmology registrar on call via the hospital switchboard (02) 9382 1111
Clinic information
Eye clinic details
The Lions Eye clinic for Children provides an outpatient eye service, operating four to five consultant clinics weekly, electrophysiology five days a week and regular Orthoptic clinics.
The Eye Clinic also provides State-wide EyeSight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) clinic for South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
Assessment may involve seeing orthoptists, orthoptic students, medical students, registrars, fellows and consultant ophthalmologists.
All new patients will require eye drops for pupil dilation to allow accurate refraction (measuring the need for glasses) and fundus examination (examining the internal structures of the eye).
Clinic location:
The Eye Clinic operates from the Outpatients Department.
Enter via the main entrance on High Street and walk past Sunny's Cafe on your left. Continue along the corridor and the Outpatients Department is on your right.
Eye clinic appointments
A full eye clinic appointment can be expected to take between 1-2 hours even when things are running to time.
- Please bring your child’s prescription glasses, Medicare card, and blue book to all Eye Clinic appointments
- We suggest bringing snacks and activities to keep your child entertained while in the waiting room
- You can also take your child for a walk between seeing the orthoptist and ophthalmologist if there is a long wait expected between these parts of the appointment
- If your child requires pupil dilation, it can be a good idea to bring sunglasses and/or a wide brim hat for sun protection after the appointment.
- There is changing facilities, amenities and a cafeteria available on site
Orthoptic department
The Orthoptic department works closely with the Ophthalmology department, and together these two departments form the Eye Clinic. The Orthoptic department conducts dedicated Orthoptic clinics as well as servicing all ophthalmology clinics.
The Orthoptic department offers comprehensive assessment of visual acuity, visual fields, colour vision, strabismus, eye movements and binocular function, as well as ongoing Orthoptic care to children with amblyopia and strabismus. Specialised testing including fundus photography, optic nerve function tests are performed as well as paediatric contact lens instruction teaching sessions.
