Chapter 4725-7 | Contact Lenses

Rule 4725-7-01 | Prescription specifications.

• Effective: November 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

A licensed optometrist may include at least the following specifications in the writing of a prescription for contact lenses:

(A) Rigid contact lenses

(1) Base curve

(2) Peripheral curve or curves, including curvature and width

(3) Overall diameter

(4) Optical zone diameter

(5) Power

(6) Center thickness

(7) Material

(8) Name of patient

(9) Date of examination

(10) Issue date and expiration of prescription

(11) Name, postal address and telephone number of prescriber

(12) In the case of a private label contact lens, name of manufacturer, trade name of private label brand and, if applicable, trade name of equivalent brand name

(B) Soft contact lenses

(1) Manufacturer and lens type

(2) Power

(3) Base curve

(4) Overall diameter

(5) Name of patient

(6) Date of examination

(7) Issue date and expiration of prescription

(8) Name, postal address and telephone number of prescriber

(9) In the case of a private label contact lens, name of manufacturer, trade name of private label brand and, if applicable, trade name of equivalent brand name

Last updated December 12, 2023 at 9:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09
Amplifies: 4725.09, 4725.28
Five Year Review Date: 11/20/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 7/28/2008, 1/14/2021

Rule 4725-7-03 | Authority for modification.

• Effective: January 14, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

A licensed optometrist shall not permit any person to modify or order modification of any optical accessory which requires a prescription except upon written instruction of a licensed optometrist or physician.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09
Amplifies: 4725.28
Five Year Review Date: 1/14/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 4/17/1995

Rule 4725-7-04 | Permitted.

• Effective: January 14, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

A licensed optometrist may permit an unlicensed person to perform the following duties in the optometric practice:

(A) Manufacture a rigid contact lens upon the written prescription of a licensed optometrist or physician, which prescription includes, as a minimum, the following: base curve, peripheral curve or curves (including curvature and width), over-all diameter, optical zone diameter, power, center thickness, color and material.

(B) Modify a contact lens upon written detailed instructions of the licensed optometrist or physician.

(C) Verify finished lens(s) parameters prescribed by the licensed optometrist in the practice, lenses prescribed elsewhere, or brought to the practice by prospective patients.

(D) Teach contact lens hygiene and lens care.

(E) Teach contact lens insertion and removal techniques.

(F) Order or dispense contact lenses based upon the written prescription specifications of the language contained in rule 4725-7-01 of the Administrative Code.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09
Amplifies: 4725.09, 4725.28
Five Year Review Date: 1/14/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1999

Rule 4725-7-05 | Not permitted.

• Effective: January 14, 2021
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

A licensed optometrist shall not permit any ancillary personnel, including licensed opticians or ocularists, to perform the following duties in the optometric practice:

(A) Make the determination as to whether or not a patient may safely and comfortably wear contact lenses.

(B) Use a phoropter or hand-held lenses of any type for the purpose of determining the prescription or change in the prescription necessary for any optical accessory.

(C) Use a spectacle prescription or a prescription determined through the use of a lensometer, or its equivalent, on a pair of spectacles as a basis for designing, manufacturing or duplicating a new contact lens.

(D) Prescribe a schedule of wearing time for a patient.

(E) In any way attempt to exercise professional judgment or exercise professional skills which constitute the practice of optometry.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09
Amplifies: 4725.28
Five Year Review Date: 1/14/2026
Prior Effective Dates: 11/15/1970

Rule 4725-7-06 | Prescription release.

• Effective: November 30, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

A licensed 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 lens(es) in the eye(s) of the patient after an appropriate wearing period following the initial examination. The diagnosis review may be waived at the discretion of the examining licensed optometrist. Patients who have successfully been wearing contact lenses whereby the examination does not require any major change in prescription or type of lens are eligible for the issuance of the prescription at the completion of the examination.

(B) The examining licensed 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 licensed 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 licensed 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 licensed 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, including medicaid or medicare or any required copayments, co-insurance or contact lens evaluation fees is 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. A licensed optometrist does not have to release an expired prescription.

Last updated December 12, 2023 at 9:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 119.03, 4725.09
Amplifies: 4725.09, 4725.28
Five Year Review Date: 11/20/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 7/1/2014