R156-16a-307. Licenses Held on Effective Date - Scope of Practice Defined

(1) In accordance with Section 58-16a-307, the scope of practice for an individual holding a current license as an optometrist without certification on May 5, 1997 is clarified as follows.

(a) An optometrist without certification:

(i) shall not engage in the treatment of eye disease or injury, the administration or prescribing of diagnostic or therapeutic prescription drugs, or over the counter medicines, the removal of any foreign body from the eye, or treatment of any condition of the eye except those which can be corrected by the use of lenses, prisms, contact lenses, or ocular exercises; and

(ii) may use, dispense, or recommend over-the-counter contact lens solutions.

(iii) upon finding any eye disease or injury requiring therapeutic treatment, shall refer the patient to a qualified practitioner.

(2) In accordance with Section 58-16a-307, the scope of practice for an individual holding a current license as an optometrist with diagnostic certification on May 5, 1997 is clarified as follows.

(a) An optometrist with diagnostic certification:

(i) shall not engage in the treatment of eye disease or injury, the administration or prescribing of therapeutic prescription drugs, or therapeutic over the counter medicines, the removal of any foreign body from the eye, or treatment of any condition of the eye except those which can be corrected by the use of lenses, prisms, contact lenses, or ocular exercises;

(ii) may use, dispense, or recommend over-the-counter contact lens solutions;

(iii) may administer diagnostic prescription drugs or over the counter medicines to include the categories of anesthetics, myotics, mydriatrics, or cyclopegics; and

(iv) upon finding any eye disease or injury requiring therapeutic treatment, shall refer the patient to a qualified practitioner.

(3) In accordance with Section 58-16a-307, the scope of practice for an individual holding a current license as an optometrist with therapeutic certification on May 5, 1997 shall be consistent with the scope of practice set forth in Section 58-16a-601.