§459‑7.4  Therapeutically certified
optometrists; scope; qualifications.  (a)  The use and prescription of
therapeutic pharmaceutical agents as established by the board for the treatment
and management of conditions of the anterior segment of the human eye, eyelids,
and lacrimal system, and the non-invasive surface removal of superficial
foreign bodies from the anterior segment of the human eye and eyelids is
authorized only for an optometrist licensed under this chapter who meets the
requirements of a therapeutically certified optometrist as authorized in this
section.  A therapeutically certified optometrist may use or prescribe
steroidal agents.  A therapeutically certified optometrist shall not administer
injectable agents except for anaphylaxis.  Performing any invasive surgery
shall not be allowed.  Therapeutic pharmaceutical agents shall not include any
of the controlled substances enumerated in sections 329‑14, 329‑16,
329‑18, 329‑20, and 329‑22.



(b)  The board shall grant recognition as a
therapeutically certified optometrist; provided the optometrist has:



(1)  A current, unencumbered license as an optometrist
in this State;



(2)  Completed a one hundred hour board-approved
course in the treatment and management of ocular diseases;



(3)  Passed the National Board of Examiners in
Optometry Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease examination;



(4)  Completed one hundred hours of preceptorship
under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.  The supervising ophthalmologist
shall certify completion of the one hundred hours of hands-on experience and
the competency of the optometrist to prescribe, dispense, and administer
therapeutic pharmaceutical agents on a form and format prescribed by the board;
provided that the preceptorship shall include training in diagnosis, treatment,
and management of ocular disease; and



(5)  The therapeutically certified optometrist shall
renew the certification with the biennial renewal of license and submit proof
of satisfying thirty-six hours of continuing education in the diagnosis,
treatment, and management of ocular and systemic diseases.  Completion of the
thirty-six hours in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular and
systemic diseases shall fulfill the continuing education requirements pursuant
to section 459-7 and this section. [L 1996, c 292, §1; am L 1997, c 335, §§4,
5; am L 2002, c 164, §4; am L 2004, c 46, §3]