Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 4725 | Optometrists; Dispensing Opticians
Section 4725.01 | Optometry Definitions.

Effective: January 21, 2018
Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly
As used in this chapter:
(A)(1) The "practice of optometry" means the application of optical principles, through technical methods and devices, in the examination of human eyes for the purpose of ascertaining departures from the normal, measuring their functional powers, adapting optical accessories for the aid thereof, and detecting ocular abnormalities that may be evidence of disease, pathology, or injury.
(2) In the case of a licensed optometrist who holds a topical ocular pharmaceutical agents certificate, the "practice of optometry" has the same meaning as in division (A)(1) of this section, except that it also includes administering topical ocular pharmaceutical agents.
(3) In the case of a licensed optometrist who holds a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate, the "practice of optometry" has the same meaning as in division (A)(1) of this section, except that it also includes all of the following:
(a) Employing, applying, administering, and prescribing instruments, devices, and procedures, other than invasive procedures, for purpose of examination, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease, injury, or other abnormal condition of the visual system;
(b) Employing, applying, administering, and prescribing topical ocular pharmaceutical agents;
(c) Employing, applying, administering, and prescribing therapeutic pharmaceutical agents;
(d) Assisting an individual in determining the individual's blood glucose level by using a commercially available glucose-monitoring device. Nothing in this section precludes a licensed optometrist who holds a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate from using any particular type of commercially available glucose-monitoring device.
(B) "Topical ocular pharmaceutical agent" means a drug or dangerous drug that is a topical drug and used in the practice of optometry as follows:
(1) In the case of a licensed optometrist who holds a topical ocular pharmaceutical agents certificate, for evaluative purposes in the practice of optometry as set forth in division (A)(1) of this section;
(2) In the case of a licensed optometrist who holds a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate, for purposes of examination, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease, injury, or other abnormal condition of the visual system.
(C) "Therapeutic pharmaceutical agent" means a drug or dangerous drug that is used for examination, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease, injury, or other abnormal condition of the visual system in the practice of optometry by a licensed optometrist who holds a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate, and is any of the following:
(1) An oral drug or dangerous drug in one of the following classifications:
(a) Anti-infectives, including antibiotics, antivirals, antimicrobials, and antifungals;
(b) Anti-allergy agents;
(c) Antiglaucoma agents;
(d) Analgesics, including only analgesic drugs that are available without a prescription, analgesic drugs or dangerous drugs that require a prescription but are not controlled substances, and, to the extent authorized by the state vision professionals board in rules adopted under section 4725.091 of the Revised Code, analgesic controlled substances;
(e) Anti-inflammatories, excluding all drugs or dangerous drugs classified as oral steroids other than methylpredisolone, except that methylpredisolone may be used under a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate only if it is prescribed under all of the following conditions:
(i) For use in allergy cases;
(ii) For use by an individual who is eighteen years of age or older;
(iii) On the basis of an individual's particular episode of illness;
(iv) In an amount that does not exceed the amount packaged for a single course of therapy.
(2) Epinephrine administered by injection to individuals in emergency situations to counteract anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, administration of epinephrine in this manner does not constitute performance of an invasive procedure.
(3) An oral drug or dangerous drug that is not included under division (C)(1) of this section, if the drug or dangerous drug is approved, exempt from approval, certified, or exempt from certification by the federal food and drug administration for ophthalmic purposes and the drug or dangerous drug is specified in rules adopted by the board under section 4725.09 of the Revised Code.
(D) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as in section 3719.01 of the Revised Code.
(E) "Drug" and "dangerous drug" have the same meanings as in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code.
(F) "Invasive procedure" means any procedure that involves cutting or otherwise infiltrating human tissue by mechanical means including surgery, laser surgery, ionizing radiation, therapeutic ultrasound, administering medication by injection, or the removal of intraocular foreign bodies.
(G) "Visual system" means the human eye and its accessory or subordinate anatomical parts.
(H) "Certificate of licensure" means a certificate issued by the board under section 4725.13 of the Revised Code authorizing the holder to practice optometry as provided in division (A)(1) of this section.
(I) "Topical ocular pharmaceutical agents certificate" means a certificate issued by the board under section 4725.13 of the Revised Code authorizing the holder to practice optometry as provided in division (A)(2) of this section.
(J) "Therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate" means a certificate issued by the board under division (A)(3) or (4) of section 4725.13 of the Revised Code authorizing the holder to practice optometry as provided in division (A)(3) of this section.

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