Limit reference field to nodes with referenced user
I found this solution that works:


  Permissions (for a given content-type) 
  Administrator &amp; Staff - Edit ANY content 
  Normal Member - Edit OWN content
  
  Views Contextual Filter - Content: Author UID
  
  WHEN THE FILTER VALUE IS NOT AVAILABLE
  - Provide default value: Type - "User ID from Logged in User"
  
  WHEN THE FILTER VALUE IS AVAILABLE OR A DEFAULT IS PROVIDED
  - Specify validation criteria: Validator - "USER"
  - Type of user filter value to allow - "Only allow numeric UIDs"
  - Restrict user based on role: Restrict to the selected roles - SELECT the role who can only edit his own content
  - Action to take if filter value does not validate - "Display All Results for the specified data" [important]
  
  The last step (marked important), makes all the data (view results)
  available to other users, who have access to edit any content.


See https://www.drupal.org/node/2317525