Visual refractive error — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 35 of 2025

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting visual refractive error or death from visual refractive error with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   having an acquired eyelid mass of the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening of hyperopia or astigmatism;
2. (2)
   having a pterygium of the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening of astigmatism or hyperopia;
3. (3)
   having corneal surgery of the affected eye, within the 2 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
4. (4)
   having penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplantation) of the affected eye, within the 2 years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
5. (5)
   having corneal scarring of the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening;
6. (6)
   having keratoconus of the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia or astigmatism;

   Note: keratoconus is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

7. (7)
   having scleral buckle surgery of the affected eye, within the 6 months before clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia or astigmatism;
8. (8)
   having a natural or artificial intraocular lens that is tilted or positioned off-centre within the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening;
9. (9)
   having acquired aphakia (absence of an intraocular lens) at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening of hyperopia;
10. (10)
    having acquired displacement of the intraocular lens at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening;

    Note: Displacement of the lens is also known as ectopia lentis.

11. (11)
    having an acquired nuclear cataract of the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia;
12. (12)
    having an acquired posterior subcapsular cataract of the affected eye at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia;
13. (13)
    having cataract surgery of the affected eye, within the 6 months before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
14. (14)
    having surgery for retinal detachment of the affected eye, within the 6 months before clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia or astigmatism;
15. (15)
    whilst aged 12-19 years, focusing on objects within 40 cm of the eyes at least 2 hours a day for at least 1 year before clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia;

    Note: Tasks that require focusing on objects within 40 cm of the eye may include reading, writing, computer work, and use of digital devices such as smartphones or tablets.

16. (16)
    having blunt or penetrating trauma to the affected eye during the 1 month before clinical onset or clinical worsening;

    Note: Examples of blunt trauma include a direct blow to the eye by a fist, ball, or stone; or accidental injuries as a result of motor vehicle, sporting, or work-related accidents.

    Note: Examples of penetrating trauma include injuries by sharp and pointed objects such as needles, knives, nails, arrows, screwdrivers, pens, bullets, or glass.

17. (17)
    taking any of the following medications (which cannot be ceased or substituted in the long term) within the 2 weeks before clinical onset or clinical worsening of myopia; (a) acetazolamide; (b) chlortalidone/chlorthalidone; (c) daratumumab; (d) indapamide; (e) methazolamide; (f) metronidazole; (g) pilocarpine; (h) topiramate; (i) zonisamide;
18. (18)
    inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for visual refractive error before clinical worsening;