<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gho" article_name="Health Occupations" number="11-404" title_number="11" title_name="Optometrists" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Provisions">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Unless certified under this section, a licensed optometrist may not administer a topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agent to a patient.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The Board shall certify a licensed optometrist as qualified to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents if the licensed optometrist submits to the Board evidence satisfactory to the Board that the licensed optometrist:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Meets the educational requirements that the Board establishes for certification of qualification to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Has within 7 years before certification completed a course in pharmacology that meets the requirements of subsection (c) of this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The course in pharmacology required by subsection (b) of this section shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Be of at least the length that the Board establishes but not less than 70 course hours;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Place emphasis on:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Topical application of ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents for the purpose of examining and analyzing ocular functions; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Allergic reactions to ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Be given by an institution that is:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Accredited by a regional or professional accrediting organization that is recognized or approved by the United States Commissioner of Education; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Approved by the Board.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Board shall revoke the certification of qualification to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents of any licensed optometrist who does not annually take a course of study, approved by the Board, that relates to the use of those agents.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Certification of qualification under this section authorizes the licensed optometrist who is certified under this section to administer a topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agent to a patient for diagnostic purposes but not for purposes of treatment.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>Except as expressly authorized under this section for diagnostic purposes or under § 11-404.1 of this subtitle for therapeutic purposes, an optometrist may not administer drugs or medicine to any patient.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>The Department shall collect and report statistical information on the incidences of negative reactions to the administration by optometrists of topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents.</text>
  </level>
</section>
