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Definitions
Contact lenses are characterized as medical devices worn on the eyes.
As such, consumers need a prescription to purchase them. Contact lens
prescriptions may be written only by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
(collectively referred to herein as "eye doctors").
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors licensed to practice medicine and
surgery, specializing in all aspects of eye and vision care. Most focus
on the treatment of eye disease and injury, but some ophthalmologists
check eyes and sell eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Optometrists are doctors of optometry. Licensed to practice in
select areas of eye and vision care, they examine eyes, diagnose eye disease,
and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Usually if surgery or medication
is needed, they will refer patients to other medical specialists. In Texas,
optometrists may become certified as therapeutic optometrists which enables
them to prescribe medication for the treatment of eye diseases. An optometrist
must satisfactorily complete educational requirements established by the
Texas Optometry Board to be certified as a therapeutic optometrist.
Unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists, opticians are not doctors
and therefore cannot write prescriptions for corrective lenses or diagnose
diseases. They are technicians who fit, adjust, and sell contact lenses,
glasses, and other eyewear prescribed by eye doctors. Before an optician
can dispense contact lenses in Texas they must obtain a contact lens dispensing
permit from the Board of Health.
A contact lens prescription is a written prescription that includes
the following information: the patient's name and the date of issue; the
contact lens manufacturer, if needed; the expiration date; the original
signature of the physician, optometrist, or therapeutic optometrist; for
disposable contacts, the number of lenses to be issued and the wearing
schedule; the brand; and specification information required by the Optometry
Board and the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
Source: Contact Lens
Council, Landover, MD, www.contactlenscouncil.org, download 11/1/2000,
and 1/2/2001.
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