HNY Policy and Pathway Repository - Humber

Community Ophthalmic Referral Refinement Service (CORRS)

Patients registered with a Hull GP can make an appointment to have a wide range of eye problems investigated.

The scheme covers red eyes, sore/dry/gritty/itchy eyes, blepharitis, floaters and flashes, and many other eye conditions which may be simple to treat either by the optometrist, or via referral to the GP or the consultant ophthalmologists at Hull and East Yorkshire Eye Hospital.

• Sudden total  loss of vision*
• Very significant eye pain*
• Significant trauma*
• Chemical burns*
• Diabetic retinal screening
• Basic refraction
  * In these cases the patient should be asked to attend an ophthalmic hospital (which includes an ophthalmic department of a hospital) casualty or accident and emergency department (“hospital eye services”)

Participating CORRS Optometrists in Hull

• Symptomatic dry eye
• Conjunctivitis
• Symptomatic field loss
• Flashes and floaters
• In-growing eyelash(es)
• Non-penetrating foreign body
• Painful eye
• Red/sore eye
• Watery eye
• Sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes

Written referral to optometrist** or telephone call.

GPs, Self-referrals, Minor Injury Units, non-CORRS optometrists and pharmacy minor ailments

**Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals Trust (HEYHT) have the ability to re-direct non-CORRS referrals into the service

Information to Include

Symptoms requiring referral and any relevant information

On referral please provide the optometrist with all relevant clinical information

The optometrist will provide the GP with a report on their patient

Case-finding for Optometrists

The recommendations on case-finding are for primary eye care professionals before referral for diagnosis of chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG) and related conditions, and are separate from a sight test.

1. Before referral for further investigation and diagnosis of COAG and related conditions, offer all of the following tests:

• central visual field assessment using standard automated perimetry (full threshold or supra-threshold)
• optic nerve assessment and fundus examination using stereoscopic slit lamp biomicroscopy (with pupil dilatation if necessary), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) or optic nerve head image if available
• intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using Goldmann-type applanation tonometry
• peripheral anterior chamber configuration and depth assessments using gonioscopy or, if not available or the patient prefers, the van Herick test or OCT. 

2. Do not base a decision to refer solely on IOP measurement using non-contact tonometry. 
3. Do not refer people who have previously been discharged from hospital eye services after assessment for COAG and related conditions unless clinical circumstances have changed and a new referral is needed. 
4. Before deciding to refer, consider repeating visual field assessment and IOP measurement on another occasion to confirm a visual field defect or IOP of 24 mmHg or more, unless clinical circumstances indicate urgent or emergency referral is needed. 
5. Refer for further investigation and diagnosis of COAG and related conditions, after considering repeat measures as in recommendation if:

• there is optic nerve head damage on stereoscopic slit lamp biomicroscopy or
• there is a visual field defect consistent with glaucoma or
• IOP is 24 mmHg or more using Goldmann-type applanation tonometry.

6. Advise people with IOP below 24 mmHg to continue regular visits to their primary eye care professional. 

Contact Details - 08003685152