320.210 Definitions for chapter.
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/ky/chapter-320/320-210A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1)"Board" means the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners;
(2)"Practice of optometry" means:
(a)The evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, or surgical, nonsurgical, or related
treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and its
appendages and their impact on the human body provided by an
optometrist within the scope of his or her education, training, and
experience and in accordance with this chapter, the ethics of the
profession, and applicable law. The practice of optometry includes the
examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the human eye and its
appendages to correct and relieve ocular abnormalities and to determine
eye health, the visual efficiency of the human eye, or the powers or
defects of vision in any authorized manner, including but not limited to:
1. Prescribing and adapting lenses, contact lenses, spectacles,
eyeglasses, prisms, ocular devices, and all routes of administration
of pharmaceutical agents, as authorized by KRS 320.240; or
2. Employing vision therapy or orthoptics, low vision rehabilitation, and
laser surgery procedures, excluding retina, LASIK, and PRK.
The practice of optometry includes the correction and relief of ocular
abnormalities by surgical procedures not excluded in paragraph
(b)of this
subsection;
(b)The following procedures are excluded from the scope of practice of
optometry, except for the preoperative and postoperative care of these
procedures:
1. Retina laser procedures, LASIK, and PRK;
2. Nonlaser surgery related to removal of the eye from a living human
being;
3. Nonlaser surgery requiring full thickness incision or excision of the
cornea or sclera other than paracentesis in an emergency situation
requiring immediate reduction of the pressure inside the eye;
4. Penetrating keratoplasty (corneal transplant), or lamellar
keratoplasty;
5. Nonlaser surgery requiring incision of the iris and ciliary body,
including iris diathermy or cryotherapy;
6. Nonlaser surgery requiring incision of the vitreous;
7. Nonlaser surgery requiring incision of the retina;
8. Nonlaser surgical extraction of the crystalline lens;
9. Nonlaser surgical intraocular implants;
10. Incisional or excisional nonlaser surgery of the extraocular muscles;
11. Nonlaser surgery of the eyelid for eyelid malignancies or for
incisional cosmetic or mechanical repair of blepharochalasis, ptosis,
and tarsorrhaphy;
12. Nonlaser surgery of the bony orbit, including orbital implants;
13. Incisional or excisional nonlaser surgery of the lacrimal system other
than lacrimal probing or related procedures;
14. Nonlaser surgery requiring full thickness conjunctivoplasty with graft
or flap;
15. Any nonlaser surgical procedure that does not provide for the
correction and relief of ocular abnormalities;
16. Laser or nonlaser injection into the posterior chamber of the eye to
treat any macular or retinal disease; and
17. The administration of general anesthesia;
(c)Any person shall be regarded as practicing optometry if he or she:
1. Performs or advertises to perform optometric operations of any kind,
including diagnosing or treating diseases of the eye or visual system
or deficiencies of the eye and its appendages, or attempts to correct
the vision thereof;
2. Prescribes, provides, furnishes, adapts, uses, or employs lenses,
prisms, contact lenses, visual therapy, orthoptics, ocular exercise,
autofractometry, or any other means or device for the aid, relief, or
correction of the human eye and its appendages, except upon the
written prescription of a licensed optometrist; or
3. Uses the words "optometrist," "doctor of optometry," the letters
"O.D," or other letters or title in connection with his or her name,
which in any way represents him or her as being engaged in the
practice of optometry; and
(d)Low vision rehabilitation;
(3)"Appendages" means the eyelids, the eyebrows, the conjunctiva, and the
lacrimal apparatus;
(4)"Visual aid glasses" means eyeglasses, spectacles, or lenses designed or
used to correct visual defects; provided, however, that nothing in the provisions
of this chapter relating to the practice of optometry shall be construed to limit or
restrict, in any respect, the sale of sunglasses designed and used solely to filter
out light; and further provided that nothing in this chapter relating to the
practice of optometry shall be construed to limit or restrict, in any respect, the
sale of completely assembled eyeglasses or spectacles designed and used
solely to magnify;
(5)"Orthoptic technician" means a person who trains and directs individuals to
engage in ocular exercises designed to correct visual defects, and shall not be
required to be licensed under the provisions of this chapter if such training and
directions are done pursuant to and under the instructions of a duly-licensed
physician, osteopath, or optometrist and consists solely of visual training,
orthoptics, or ocular exercises; and
(6)"Low vision rehabilitation" means the evaluation, diagnosis, and management
of the low vision patient, including but not limited to, prescription, low vision
rehabilitation therapy, education, and interdisciplinary consultation when
indicated. Any person who prescribes or provides comprehensive low vision
care for the rehabilitation and treatment of the visually impaired or legally blind
patient; prescribes corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, prisms, or filters; employs any means for the adaptation of lenses, low vision devices, prisms, or filters; evaluates the need for, recommends, or prescribes optical, electronic, or other low vision devices; or recommends or provides low vision rehabilitation services independent of a clinical treatment plan prescribed by an optometrist, physician, or osteopath is engaged in the practice of optometry.