# Health Occupations (GHO)

## Title 11. Optometrists

### Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions

#### Section 11-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Board" means the State Board of Examiners in Optometry.

(c) "Diagnostically certified optometrist" means a licensed optometrist who is certified by the Board to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents to the extent permitted under Sec. 11-404 of this title.

(d) "License" means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board to practice optometry.

(e) "Licensed optometrist" means, unless the context requires otherwise, an optometrist who is licensed by the Board to practice optometry.

(f) "Optometrist" means an individual who practices optometry.

(g)

  (1) "Practice optometry" means:

    (i) Subject to Sec.Sec. 11-404 and 11-404.2 of this title, to use any means known in the science of optics or eye care, except surgery:

      (1) To detect, diagnose, manage, and treat, subject to Sec.Sec. 11-404 and 11-404.2 of this title, any optical or diseased condition in the human eye and the adnexa of the eye; or

      (2) To prescribe eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses to correct any optical or visual condition in the human eye;

    (ii) To give advice or direction on the fitness or adaptation of eyeglasses or lenses to any individual for the correction or relief of a condition for which eyeglasses or lenses are worn; or

    (iii) To use or permit the use of any instrument, test card, test type, test eyeglasses, test lenses, or other device to aid in choosing eyeglasses or lenses for an individual to wear.

  (2) Subject to Sec.Sec. 11-404 and 11-404.2 of this title, "practice optometry" includes:

    (i) The administration of pharmaceutical agents;

    (ii) The removal of superficial foreign bodies from the cornea and conjunctiva;

    (iii) The diagnosis, treatment, and management of open-angle glaucoma;

    (iv) The ordering of cultures and bloodwork testing; and

    (v) The ordering and performing of in-office, noninvasive, nonradiographic imaging.

(h)

  (1) "Surgery" means a procedure using any instruments, including lasers, scalpels, needles, cautery, a cryoprobe, or sutures in which human tissue is cut, burned, vaporized, removed, or otherwise permanently altered by any mechanical means, laser, ionizing radiation, ultrasound, or other means.

  (2) "Surgery" does not include:

    (i) Preoperative and postoperative care provided in accordance with Sec.Sec. 11-404 and 11-404.2 of this title;

    (ii) Nonsurgical light therapies used only for the treatment of meibomian gland disease and vision therapy but not for corneal collagen cross linking;

    (iii) Orthokeratology;

    (iv) A noninvasive procedure to remove a superficial foreign body in accordance with Sec. 11-404.2(d) of this title;

    (v) Corneal scraping or conjunctival swabs for cultures in accordance with Sec. 11-404.2(e) of this title;

    (vi) Epilating with forceps an eyelash from the eyelid, adnexa, or lacrimal system of a patient; or

    (vii) Noninvasive meibomian gland expression.

(i) "Therapeutically certified optometrist" means a licensed optometrist who is certified by the Board to practice optometry to the extent permitted under Sec. 11-404.2 of this title.

#### Section 11-102

(a) This title does not limit the right of an individual to practice a health occupation that the individual is authorized to practice under this article.

(b) This title does not affect the right of:

  (1) An optician to provide glasses on the prescription of a licensed optometrist or a physician who is authorized to practice medicine under Title 14 of this article; or

  (2) A dealer to sell eyeglasses or lenses if the dealer does not practice or claim to practice optometry.

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Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)