H.B. 256

VETOES

(3) A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY ADMINISTER
OR PRESCRIBE NONPRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT ARE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE.

(E) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A
THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY NOT PERFORM ANY
PROCEDURE ON THE EYELID OF A PATIENT.

(2) A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY EPILATE WITH
FORCEPS AN EYELASH FROM THE EYELID, ADNEXA, OR LACRIMAL SYSTEM OF A
PATIENT.

(F) A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY REMOVE
SUPERFICIAL FOREIGN BODIES FROM THE HUMAN EYE ONLY IF:

(1) THE FOREIGN BODY MAY BE REMOVED WITH A COTTON-TIPPED
APPLICATOR OR BLUNT SPATULA; AND

(2) THE FOREIGN BODY HAS NOT PENETRATED BEYOND THE
BOWMAN'S MEMBRANE OF THE CORNEA AND IS NOT WITHIN 2.5 MILLIMETERS OF
THE VISUAL AXIS.

(G) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A
THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY NOT ORDER LABORATORY
TESTS FOR A PATIENT.

(2) A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY ORDER A
CONJUNCTIVAL CULTURE.

(H) A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST MAY NOT PROVIDE ANY
THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT LISTED IN THIS SECTION FOR A CHILD UNDER THE AGE
OF 1 YEAR.

(I) UNLESS THE STANDARD OF CARE REQUIRES AN EARLIER REFERRAL. IF A
THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST DIAGNOSES A CORNEAL ULCER OR
INFILTRATE, AND THE PATIENT DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPECTED RESPONSE WITHIN
48 HOURS, THE OPTOMETRIST IMMEDIATELY SHALL REFER THE PATIENT TO AN
OPHTHALMOLOGIST.

(J) A THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRIST SHALL BE HELD TO THE
SAME STANDARD OF CARE AS AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST WHO IS LICENSED UNDER
TITLE 14 OF THIS ARTICLE AND WHO IS PROVIDING SIMILAR SERVICES.

11-404.3.

(A)     THE MARYLAND OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND THE MARYLAND
SOCIETY OF EYE PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS SHALL RECOMMEND TO THE
SECRETARY QUALITY ASSURANCE GUIDELINES FOR THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED
OPTOMETRISTS AND OPTOMETRIC CARE.

(B)     (1) AFTER CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MARYLAND
OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION AND THE MARYLAND SOCIETY OF EYE PHYSICIANS AND
SURGEONS, THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS THAT ESTABLISH:

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