Applications

1243 – The removal of imbedded corneal foreign bodies to any person presenting to an optometrist.

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome Supported

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

An imbedded corneal foreign body is normally removed using a hypodermic needle, foreign body gouge, fine forceps or similar surgical instrument under magnification provided by a slit lamp biomicroscope. The technique used depends upon the location, depth and degree of ‘imbeddedness’, as well as the foreign body material. The aim is to remove the foreign body with minimal ocular tissue disruption, which hastens recovery and minimises corneal scar tissue formation.

Type: Therapeutic

Medical condition this application addresses

An ‘ocular foreign body’ is an object that has entered and is present in the eye. This includes objects that are synthetic or natural in origin (wood, glass, metal, etc.). These objects can be introduced into the eye via some type of trauma such as accident, natural force (wind blowing something in the eye) or other method of delivery.

Superficial particles that enter the eye can often be removed with an irrigating solution. An object which cannot be dislodged by flushing is considered imbedded. For the purposes of this submission and the proposed item, an imbedded corneal foreign body is one that is lodged in the sub-epithelial or intra-epithelial corneal layers.

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: 
    • 18 April 2013
    • 15 - 16 August 2013
  • ESC meeting: 12 - 13 June 2014
  • MSAC meeting: 26 - 28 November 2014