Source
of State and Federal Laws
Practice
of Optometry
Use
of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents
Source
of State and Federal Laws
Q. What is the primary
source of Wisconsin laws that govern the regulation of optometrists?
A. Chapter 449, Wisconsin
Statutes and Chapters Opt 1-8 and RL 10 Wisconsin Administrative Code.
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Practice
of Optometry
Q. How long are optometrists
required to maintain patient records?
A. Optometrists are required
to maintain patient records for at least 6 years. Refer to s. Opt 5.10,
Wis. Adm. Code.
Q. Are optometrists
required to release a copy of a contact lens prescription to a patient?
A. Yes, optometrists are required
to release, at no cost to the patient, a copy of the patient's contact
lens prescription following release of the patient from contact lens
fitting and initial follow-up care.
Q. May an individual,
who is not a licensed optometrist, assist in the practice of optometry?
A. Yes, but only in a limited
manner. An individual who is not a licensed optometrist may perform
routine visual screening under the immediate supervision of a licensed
optometrist.
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Use
of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents
Q. Does an optometrist
need a separate credential, in addition to a license to practice optometry,
in order to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents?
A. Yes and No. Recent
changes to ch 449 have changed the Optometrist License dependant upon
the date the license was first issued, see below:
Yes, must hold a
DPA certificate. Optometrists licensed by the Board
before August 1, 2006 who elect to use diagnostic pharmaceutical
agents must obtain a certification under s. 449.17, Wis. Stats.
No, does not require
a DPA certificate. Optometrists licensed by the Board on
or after August 1, 2006 will automatically be authorized
to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents (DPA) without having to obtain
a separate DPA certificate.
Note: the DPA certificates
granted by the Department prior to August 1, 2006 no longer expire and
will remain in effect while the optometrist's license remains in effect
unless suspended or revoked by the Board.
Q. Does an optometrist
need a separate credential, in addition to a license to practice optometry,
in order to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents?
A. Yes and No. Recent
changes to ch 449 have changed the Optometrist License dependant upon
the date the license was first issued, see below:
Yes, must hold a
TPA certificate. Optometrists licensed by the Board before
August 1, 2006 who elect to use therapeutic pharmaceutical
agents must obtain a certification under s. 449.17 and a certification
under s. 449.18, Wis. Stats.
No, does not require
a TPA certificate. Optometrists licensed by the Board on
or after August 1, 2006 will automatically be authorized
to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPA) without having to obtain
a separate TPA certificate.
Note: the TPA certificates
granted by the Board prior to August 1, 2006 no longer expire and will
remain in effect while the optometrist's license remains in effect unless
suspended or revoked by the Board.
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