Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Board” means the Board of Optometry.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Health.

(3)(a) “Licensed practitioner” means a person who is a primary health care provider licensed to engage in the practice of optometry under the authority of this chapter.

(b) A licensed practitioner who is not a certified optometrist shall be required to display at her or his place of practice a sign which states, “I am a Licensed Practitioner, not a Certified Optometrist, and I am not able to prescribe ocular pharmaceutical agents.”

(c) All practitioners initially licensed after July 1, 1993, must be certified optometrists.

(4) “Certified optometrist” means a licensed practitioner authorized by the board to administer and prescribe ocular pharmaceutical agents.

(5) “Ocular pharmaceutical agent” means a pharmaceutical agent that is administered topically or orally for the diagnosis or treatment of ocular conditions of the human eye and its appendages without the use of surgery or other invasive techniques.

(6) “Surgery” means a procedure using an instrument, including a laser, scalpel, or needle, in which human tissue is cut, burned, scraped except as provided in s. 463.014(4), or vaporized, by incision, injection, ultrasound, laser, infusion, cryotherapy, or radiation. The term includes a procedure using an instrument which requires the closure of human tissue by suture, clamp, or other such device.

(7) “Optometry” means the diagnosis of conditions of the human eye and its appendages; the employment of any objective or subjective means or methods, including the administration of ocular pharmaceutical agents, for the purpose of determining the refractive powers of the human eyes, or any visual, muscular, neurological, or anatomic anomalies of the human eyes and their appendages; and the prescribing and employment of lenses, prisms, frames, mountings, contact lenses, orthoptic exercises, light frequencies, and any other means or methods, including ocular pharmaceutical agents, for the correction, remedy, or relief of any insufficiencies or abnormal conditions of the human eyes and their appendages.

(8) “Direct supervision” means supervision to an extent that the licensee remains on the premises while all procedures are being done and gives final approval to any procedures performed by an employee.

(9) “General supervision” means the responsible supervision of supportive personnel by a licensee who need not be present when such procedures are performed, but who assumes legal liability therefor. Except in cases of emergency, “general supervision” shall require the easy availability or physical presence of the licensee for consultation with and direction of the supportive personnel.

(10) “Appendages” means the eyelids, the eyebrows, the conjunctiva, and the lacrimal apparatus.

(11) “Transcript-quality” means a course which is in conjunction with or sponsored by a school or college of optometry or equivalent educational entity, which course is approved by the board and requires a test and passing grade.

(12) “Clock hours” means the actual time engaged in approved coursework and clinical training.