§ 17-90-101 — Definition - Applicability

(a) (1) The "practice of optometry" means the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions of the human eye, lid, adnexa, and visual system, including the removal of foreign bodies from the cornea, conjunctiva, lid, or adnexa but shall exclude other surgery of the lid, adnexa, or visual system which requires anything other than a topical anesthetic. (2) "Optometry" shall include utilizing any method or means which the licensed optometrist is educationally qualified to provide, as established and determined by the State Board of Optometry. In administering this chapter, the board shall by rule prescribe those acts, services, procedures, and practices which constitute both primary optometric eye care and the practice of optometry. (3) (A) The "practice of optometry" shall include, but not be limited to, the prescribing and sale of eyeglasses and contact lenses, the prescribing and administering of all oral and topical drugs for the diagnosis or treatment only of conditions of the eye, lids, and adnexa, and the prescribing and administering of epinephrine, benadryl, or other comparable medication for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reactions. (B) All licensed optometrists are prohibited from using ophthalmic lasers for surgical procedures except as permitted in subdivision (a)(3)(D) of this section, performing cataract surgery, performing radial keratotomy surgery, and selling prescription drugs. (C) (i) Optometrists are excluded from possessing, administering, or prescribing those pharmaceutical agents listed in Schedules I and II of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, § 5-64-101 et seq., except hydrocodone combination drugs, regardless of their schedule, in combination with oral analgesic drugs. (ii) A prescription written by an optometrist for hydrocodone combination drugs, regardless of their schedule, in combination with oral analgesic drugs, shall not exceed seventy-two (72) hours and shall not authorize refills. (D) The "practice of optometry" includes the following procedures: (i) Injections, excluding intravenous or intraocular injections; (ii) Incision and curettage of a chalazion; (iii) Removal and biopsy of skin lesions with low risk of malignancy, excluding lesions involving the lid margin or nasal to the puncta; (iv) Laser capsulotomy; and (v) Laser trabeculoplasty. (b) Any person who utilizes any objective or subjective method, including, but not limited to, self-testing devices and computerized or automated refracting devices for the purpose of preparing an optical prescription, to analyze or determine any optical defect, deficiency, deformity, or visual or muscular anomaly of the visual system, who measures the curvature of the human cornea, who prescribes, tints, coats, dispenses, adapts, or duplicates lenses, prisms, ocular exercises, visual therapy, or orthoptics for the correction, relief, or aid of the visual functions, who prescribes, adapts, fits, duplicates, dispenses, modifies, sells, or supplies contact lenses, or who holds himself or herself out as being able to do so, shall be deemed to be engaged in the practice of optometry. (c) Those licensed optometrists who meet the qualifications and standards established by the board shall be designated "optometric physicians". (d) Nothing in this chapter shall apply to physicians and surgeons as defined in the Arkansas Medical Practices Act, § 17-95-201 et seq., § 17-95-301 et seq., and § 17-95-401 et seq. (e) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the performance of those acts, practices, and procedures, including the ordering, application, and sale of tints or coats for spectacle lenses, by legally qualified persons who are specifically authorized and approved by the Ophthalmic Dispensing Act, § 17-89-101 et seq. (f) (1) Every licensed optometrist shall within ten (10) days of receipt of written notification of the filing of a claim or lawsuit alleging malpractice against him or her notify the board by registered letter of the lawsuit and provide information or reports as required by the board. (2) All information and reports shall be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, § 25-19-101 et seq., and shall be released only upon the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 1556, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 579,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 579,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2015, No. 1156,§ 15, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2013, No. 1361,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013. Acts 1941, No. 94, § 1; 1979, No. 710, §§ 1, 3; 1981, No. 836, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 72-801, 72-801.1; Acts 1987, No. 101, §§ 1, 2; 1993, No. 176, § 1; 1997, No. 176, § 1; 1997, No. 186, § 1.