Ophthalmological Headache

This condition is treated in the Ophthalmology (Eye) clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

Headache associated with ocular signs and/or symptoms

Most headaches do not need ophthalmic assessment unless there are eye signs.

All referrals should comply with the Standard Referral guidelines and include in particular:

• Duration of headache and description of headache pattern
  • Warning sign of facial tenderness over temple and watering eye
  • Jaw claudication
  • Waking with headache
  • Headache associated with nausea
  • Neurologic signs or symptoms
• Associated ocular signs and symptoms such as
  • Vision reduced or sudden loss of vision
  • Amaurosis fugax (transient loss of vision)
  • Sudden field loss
  • Exophthalmos or orbital mass
  • Red eye
  • Epiphora
  • Diplopia
  • Ptosis
  • Suspected papilloedema
  • Pain on eye movements
• Cranial nerve examination
• Comorbidities

Tests

• Immediate ESR/CRP/FBE in suspected giant cell arteritis and refer as emergency (no need to wait for results)

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Ophthalmology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Most headaches do not need ophthalmic assessment unless there are eye signs.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

Emergency - ring on call Ophthalmic Registrar to discuss.

🚩 Painful red eye

🚩 Amarosis fugax

🚩 Sudden loss of or reduction in vision

🚩 Giant cell arteritis or other vascular disease

🚩 Sudden onset diplopia

🚩 Sudden onset ptosis

🚩 Suspected papilloedema or raised intracranial pressure

🚩 Sudden field loss associated with ocular signs or symptoms

🚩 Suspected herpes simplex or herpes zoster ophthalmicus

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 Ocular pathology associated with headache

🚩 Intracranial lesion requiring fields

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within ten days, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

THS Northern Region does not offer a public eye clinic. See Health Pathways for more information

North West

Unavailable.

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 11)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9454