# Health Occupations (GHO)

## Title 11. Optometrists

### Subtitle 4. Miscellaneous Provisions

#### Section 11-402

(a) If, while providing optometric services to a patient, an optometrist or diagnostically certified optometrist detects or diagnoses an active eye pathology which the optometrist is not licensed or certified to treat under Sec. 11-404 or Sec. 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

  (1) An ophthalmologist or a therapeutically certified optometrist, as appropriate;

  (2) The patient's physician;

  (3) A physician if required under a managed care contract; or

  (4) A hospital emergency room or ambulatory surgical center if necessary.

(b) If, while providing optometric services to a patient, a therapeutically certified optometrist diagnoses an active eye pathology that the optometrist is not certified to treat under Sec. 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

  (1) An ophthalmologist;

  (2) The patient's physician;

  (3) A physician if required under a managed care contract; or

  (4) A hospital emergency room if necessary.

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