Sydney and Sydney Hospital Outpatient Department
How can we help you? (what we do)
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department is a group of clinics providing outpatient appointments to patients requiring Ophthalmology (eye), Neurology, Tuberculosis or Allergy treatment.
Who we care for?
We accept public and private patient referrals from all consultant ophthalmologists, specialists, general practitioners, optometrists and from other hospitals within New South Wales.
Who are we?
Services are provided by Specialists and Ophthalmologists (eye doctors) or specialists in training (registrars and fellows). They are supported by nursing staff and allied health professionals including orthoptists, pharmacists and social workers. Administration staff will help you make appointments, and will assist you with any questions you may have.
Our Partners
General Practitioners, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, NSW Public Hospitals, Sydney Eye Hospital Ophthalmology Services.
Please remind your referring doctor or optometrist to download our referral template by way of referring you. Click on the 'Information for Referrers' link below.
The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department is a group of outpatient clinics incorporating;
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department, encompassing the following sub-specialties:
- General ophthalmology
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Ocular-oncology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Glaucoma
- Oculo-plastics
- Uveitis
- Squint and paediatrics
- Vitreo-retinal
- Medical-retinal
- Orthoptics
- Acute Ophthalmology Service – by internal referral from the SSEH Emergency Department only:
Kogarah Eye Clinic located at 7 Chapel Street, Kogarah - offers appointments ONLY to those patients who reside in the St George area and only runs clinics in the sub-specialties of:
- General ophthalmology
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Oculo-plastics
- Squint and paediatrics
- Orthoptics
- General Outpatients Department (with ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurology and Allergy services)
Sydney Eye Hospital Referral Guidelines
There is new state-wide referral criteria for selected conditions within the specialty of Ophthalmology. Visit the NSW Health website to learn more about what these changes mean for you.
To download the Sydney Eye Hospital Referral Guidelines, please click here.
General Information for Referrers
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient Department accepts referrals from Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and General Practitioners for patients within NSW requiring eye assessment and/or treatment.
All referrals are assessed by Ophthalmologists, or Ophthalmology Registrars in the first instance. The Registrar or Consultant will then prioritise patients depending on their clinical urgency, as either ‘urgent’ or ‘non-urgent’ against ophthalmologist approved guidelines.
Patients who do not require urgent assessment may be placed on our waitlist for assessment. Patients who are deemed most urgent are given appointments at the discretion of the reviewing medical officer.
Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient department offers appointments in the sub-specialties of:
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Ocular-oncology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Glaucoma
- Oculo-plastics
- Uveitis
- Squint
- Vitreo-retinal
- Medical-retina
Kogarah Eye Clinic - offers appointments ONLY to those patients who reside in the St George area and runs clinics only in the sub-specialites of:
- Cataract (IOL)
- Cornea
- Oculo-plastics
- Squint and paediatrics
- Orthoptics
Referrers, please note that we do not perform:
- Diabetic eye checks (unless active disease has been found by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist which requires close assessment and/or treatment)
- General eye checks (all general eye checks should first be performed by an optometrists. If any sign of eye disease is found, Optometrists are then welcome to refer patients on to Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital for further assessment and/or treatment)
Referring patients who wish to move from private care into the public system:
Patients who are currently under the care of a treating Ophthalmologist, who wish to transfer their care into the public hospital system must be referred with a letter from the treating Ophthalmologist, with specific information about their diagnosis, investigations undertaken (with results attached if possible), treatment and planned follow up (if any).
For glaucoma, this MUST include the following before the patient can be considered for an appointment:
- The most recent Humphrey visual field scans for both eyes
- The most recent ocular coherence tomography (OCT) scan for both eyes
- The most recent intraocular pressure (IOP) reading
- A recent report or copy of correspondence from the treating private Ophthalmologist
For medical retina (macular degeneration/diabetic macular oedema) patients, this MUST include the following before the patient can be considered for an appointment:
- The most recent ocular coherence tomography (OCT) scan for both eyes
- A recent report or copy of correspondence from the treating private Ophthalmologist
If your patient lives close to one of the hospitals below or is already a patient at one of these hospitals, you should consider sending a referral there for a faster and more convenient service.
Westmead Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 8890 6117 |
Liverpool Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 8738 4585 (requires specialist referral) |
Bankstown Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9722 8398 |
Concord Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9767 6743 |
RPA Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9515 7520 |
Prince of Wales Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9382 2281 |
Royal North Shore Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9463 1065 |
Sydney Children's Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9382 1461 |
Westmead Kids' Hospital Eye Clinic | Fax: 9845 3949 |
Referral templates for download
Click here for the Cataract referral template.
Download Catquest here.
Click here for the general eye referral template. Please do not use this for Medical Retina or Glaucoma referrals.
Click here for the Medical Retina referral template.
Click here for the Glaucoma referral template.
In partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health we are trialling a NSW statewide cataract referral form. You can download the referral guidelines and form here.
For frequently asked questions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Kogarah Eye Clinic is located at 7 Chapel Street, Kogarah, adjacent to the St. George Hospital.
All Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Outpatient clinics are located across two locations within the Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital campus.
Some clinics are located on Ground Level of the Clinical Services Building, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital. Enter via the main hospital foyer, immediately turn left.
Other clinics are located in the Bicentennial Eye Clinic, Ground floor of the North Block, within the grounds of the Sydney Eye Hospital.
Please see map below.
Where to park?
There is on-site underground parking available with 'Metro Pty Ltd' car park (entrance from Hospital Road). Please note that this car park is privately owned and operated and therefore fees will be incurred. **add NSW Health parking site link**
There is also a limited number of metered parking spaces available on Hospital Road. There is a small amount of free street parking near the hospital but times are limited.
There is also a 5 minute patient drop-off bay at the rear of the hospital, accessible via Hospital Road.
Public Transport
Info line: For information about connections, destinations and timetables for government buses, trains and ferries in and around Sydney, telephone 13 15 00. OR check the NSW Transport Trip planner website http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/tripplanner/index.html
Train: Martin Place station is directly opposite the hospital and St James station is at the end of Macquarie Street.
Bus: Bus No. 200 stops directly opposite the hospital in Macquarie Street.
Ferries: Circular Quay ferry terminal is 10 minutes’ walk from the hospital.
Clinic Times
Clinics operate Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, between 8am and 5pm.
There is a period of scheduled downtime each year, over the Christmas and New Year’s break. The Emergency Department continues to operate during this period.
Payments
All services are bulk-billed for patients who hold a valid Medicare card. Non-eligible patients will be charged a consultation fee and a fee for all ordered tests/scans on top of this consultation fee. Administration staff will advise you of this fee amount and payment on the day of your appointment. For more information about fees please contact the Administration Services manager through switchboard on 02 9382 7111.
Related Services
Where is my closest public hospital eye clinic?
Did you know that NSW Public Hospitals may give priority appointments to those patients who live in their catchment area? Please see the list below of hospitals that operate an Eye Outpatient Clinic.
If you live close to one of the hospitals below, you may consider sending a referral there for a faster and more convenient service.
- Westmead Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9845 6117
- Liverpool Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 8738 4585 (requires specialist referral)
- Bankstown Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9722 8570
- Concord Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9767 6743
- RPA Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9515 7520
- Prince of Wales Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9382 2281
- St Vincent’s Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 8382 3111
- Royal North Shore Hospital Eye Clinic Fax 9463 1065