| (a) To be certified to administer and prescribe ophthalmic
devices, over-the-counter medications, and topical ocular pharmaceutical
agents, other than antiglaucoma agents, for the purpose of diagnosing
and treating visual defects, abnormal conditions and diseases of the
human eye and adnexa, and to be able to remove superficial foreign
matter and eyelashes from the external eye or adnexa, a licensed optometrist
must submit a completed application on forms provided by the Texas
Optometry Board (Board). After September 1, 1992, all applicants for
initial licensure in Texas must be licensed as a therapeutic optometrist
in order to practice optometry in Texas.
(b) A licensed optometrist who is not certified as
a therapeutic optometrist may only use topical ocular pharmaceutical
agents for the purpose of ascertaining and measuring the powers of
vision of the human eye, examining and diagnosing visual defects,
abnormal conditions, and diseases of the human eye and adnexa, and
fitting lenses or prisms to correct or remedy any defect or abnormal
condition of vision.
(c) An application for certification must be completed
by the applicant, signed, and forwarded to the Board along with an
application fee. Proof of the required education as set forth in §280.2
of this title (relating to Required Education) must accompany the
application form.
(d) Successful examination results of the Treatment
and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) Examination must be submitted
prior to the issuance of the certificate to practice as a therapeutic
optometrist.
(e) Designation of authority as a certified therapeutic
optometrist will appear along with the optometrist's license number
in the format of the license numbers followed by the letter "T." Such
designation must appear whenever the license number is required under
Board statutes or Board rules.
(f) In the event the original certification is lost
or destroyed, the Board may issue a duplicate certificate; the person
entitled thereto must make written application to the Board for a
duplicate, under affidavit setting forth that such certificate was
lost or destroyed, and the circumstances under which loss or destruction
occurred. Should the original subsequently be found, it must be forwarded
immediately to the Board and not used by the person to whom issued
originally or by any other person. A fee must be submitted to the
Board along with the affidavit for the duplicate issue.
(g) Successful completion of a Board approved examination
testing knowledge of general and ocular pharmacology and related pathology
with particular emphasis on the topical application of pharmaceutical
agents shall be required, as defined in §280.3 of this title
(relating to Certified Therapeutic Optometrist Examination).
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §280.1 adopted to be effective September 2, 1991, 16 TexReg 4454; amended to be effective September 10, 1993, 18 TexReg 5746; amended to be effective August 2, 1998, 23 TexReg 7565; amended to be effective December 12, 1999, 24 TexReg 11103; amended to be effective May 22, 2023, 48 TexReg 2573 |
