Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-762.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 481-762.3 - Furnishing prescriptions

Before a licensed optometrist provides a spectacle or contact lens prescription to a patient, the eye examination record will include best-corrected visual acuity with ophthalmic lenses or contact lenses in the lens powers determined by refraction. Each contact lens or ophthalmic spectacle lens/eyeglass prescription by a licensed optometrist must meet the requirements as listed below:

(1) A contact lens prescription will contain the following information:

a. Date of issuance;

b. Name and date of birth of patient for whom the contact lens or lenses are prescribed;

c. Name, address, and signature of the practitioner;

d. All parameters required to duplicate properly the original contact lens;

e. A specific date of expiration, not to exceed 18 months, the quantity of lenses allowed and the number of refills allowed; and

f. At the option of the prescribing practitioner, the prescription may contain fitting and material guidelines and specific instructions for use by the patient.

(2) Release of contact lens prescription.

a. After the contact lenses have been adequately adapted and the patient released from initial followup care by the prescribing practitioner, the prescribing practitioner will provide a copy of the contact lens prescription, at no cost, for the duplication of the original contact lens. A licensed optometrist may refuse to provide a copy of the contact lens prescription if the patient has not paid the fees associated with the examination from which the prescription was generated including applicable contact lens fitting fees.

b. A practitioner choosing to issue an oral prescription will furnish the same information required for the written prescription except for the written signature and address of the practitioner. An oral prescription may be released by an O.D. to any dispensing person who is a licensed professional with the O.D., M.D., D.O., or R.Ph. degree or a person under direct supervision of those licensed under Iowa Code chapter 148, 154 or 155A.

c. The issuing of an oral prescription will be followed by a written copy to be kept by the dispenser of the contact lenses until the date of expiration.

(3) An ophthalmic spectacle lens prescription will contain the following information:

a. Date of issuance;

b. Name and date of birth of the patient for whom the ophthalmic lens or lenses are prescribed;

c. Name, address, and signature of the practitioner issuing the prescription;

d. All parameters necessary to duplicate properly the ophthalmic lens prescription; and

e. A specific date of expiration not to exceed two years.

A dispenser of ophthalmic materials, in spectacle or eyeglass form, must keep a valid copy of the prescription on file for two years.

(4) Release of ophthalmic lens prescription.

a. The ophthalmic lens prescription will be furnished upon request at no additional charge to the patient. A licensed optometrist may refuse to provide a copy of the ophthalmic lens prescription if the patient has not paid the fees associated with the examination from which the prescription was generated.

b. The prescription, at the option of the prescriber, may contain adapting and material guidelines and may also contain specific instructions for use by the patient.

c. Spectacle lens prescriptions will be in written format, according to Iowa Code section 147.109(1).

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-762.3

ARC 7976C, IAB 5/15/2024, effective 6/19/2024; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 9/18/2024