4725-7-06. Prescription release

An optometrist will provide the patient on completion of the examination and diagnosis a copy of the prescription for any vision correcting item, device or procedure unless there are significant medical reasons which would prohibit the immediate release. The medical conditions restricting any release of the prescription must be documented in the patient's records.

(A) Diagnosis for determining the contact lens prescription shall be considered a review of the proposed contact lenses in the eye of the patient after an appropriate wearing period following the initial examination. The diagnosis review may be waived at the discretion of the examining optometrist. Patients who have successfully been wearing contact lenses and the examination does not require any major change in prescription or type of lens would be eligible for the issuance of the prescription at the completion of the examination.

(B) The examining optometrist may expire a contact lens prescription at the end of one year after the eye examination and completed diagnosis under normal circumstances. The prescription may be expired in less than one year based on the medical judgment of the examining optometrist with respect to the ocular health of the patient. The specific medical judgment must be documented in the patient's records.

(C) The examining optometrist may expire a spectacle prescription at the end of two years after the eye examination and completed diagnosis under normal circumstances. The prescription may be expired in less than two years based on the medical judgment of the examining optometrist with respect to the ocular health of the patient. The specific medical judgment must be documented in the patient's records.

(D) The patient cannot be required to sign any disclaimer or waiver in order to obtain a copy of the prescription to which the patient is legally entitled. The payment of the professional fee for the eye examination may be required prior to the issuance of any prescription. The acceptance of insurance, medicaid or medicare cards or any required copayments are considered the payment of professional fees.

Failure to release a copy of the prescription to the patient as required constitutes a violation of section 4725.28 of the Revised Code. An optometrist does not have to release an expired prescription.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 6/13/2019 and 06/13/2024
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4725.09
Rule Amplifies: 4725.09 , 4725.28
Prior Effective Dates: 06/01/1999, 07/28/2008, 07/01/2014

Prior History: (Effective: 07/01/2014
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/08/2014 and 07/01/2019
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4725.09
Rule Amplifies: 4725.09, 4725.28
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/99, 7/28/08)