§ 34-22-1 — Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed by this section:
(1) BOARD. The Alabama Board of Optometry.
(2) HUMAN EYE AND ITS ADJACENT STRUCTURES. The eye and all structures situated within the orbit, including the conjunctiva, lids, lashes, and lachrymal system.
(3) PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS. Any diagnostic and therapeutic drug or combination of drugs that has the property of assisting in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or mitigation of abnormal conditions or symptoms of the human eye and its adjacent structures.
(4) PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY. The practice of optometry is a learned profession involving the examination, measurement by objective and subjective means, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of any departure from the normal of the human eyes, their adjacent structures, and visual system. The practice of optometry includes but is not limited to: The adapting and fitting of all types of lenses or devices, including, contact lenses; the determination of refractive error and shape of the eye and visual, muscular, or anatomical anomalies of the eye through the use of any means including the use of any self testing devices and the use of any computerized or automatic refracting device; the determination and prescribing of spectacle or contact lens parameters; the administering and prescription of pharmaceutical agents rational to the diagnosis and treatment of disease of the human eye and its adjacent structures; the removal of superficial foreign bodies from the human eye and its adjacent structures; the providing of developmental and perceptual therapy for the vision system; the utilization of any method or means to diagnose and treat diseases of the human eye and its adjacent structures as determined and approved by the board, subject to the limitations of this chapter; the performance of primary eye care procedures or ordering of laboratory tests rational to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions or disease of the human eye and its adjacent structures as determined and approved by the board, subject to the limitations of this chapter. The practice of optometry shall include the prescribing and administering of narcotic analgesics pursuant to the Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act, except for narcotic analgesics classified under Schedule I and II, and any Schedule III pharmaceutical agents that contain Dihydrocodeinone, (“Hydrocodone”). The prescribing or administering of any other Schedule III pharmaceutical agent shall be limited to a prescription, the duration of which does not exceed 96 hours. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the practice of optometry shall include the prescribing and administering of pharmaceutical agents which are commonly known as steroids. Optometrists are prohibited from performing injections into the eyeball, cataract surgery, muscle surgery, retinal surgery, radial keratotomy, laser surgery, cryosurgery, or any other invasive surgery. The Alabama Board of Optometry shall be a certifying board as defined in Section 20-2-2, except as limited by this chapter. The practice of optometry shall include the authority to administer benedryl, epinephrine, or other medication to counteract anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reaction. The use and prescribing of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of the human eye and its adjacent structures shall be limited to those optometrists approved by the board.

Legislative History

(Acts 1975, No. 1148, p. 2257, §2; Acts 1975, 4th Ex. Sess., No. 124, p. 2818, §1; Acts 1995, No. 95-218, p. 370, §1.)