Acquire and Use Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents
Section
20-127(b), Connecticut General Statutes provides for Connecticut-licensed optometrists to acquire and use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents topically in the practice of optometry. Authorized drugs may be administered topically for the examination of the human eye and the analysis of ocular functions and are limited to:
Diagnostic pharmaceutical agents generally known as cycloplegics, not to exceed 1 percent;
Mydriatrics other than phenlephrine hydrochloride 10 percent; and
Topical anesthetics.
Eligibility
Optometrists who received initial licensure as an optometrist on and after April 1, 1985, are eligible to acquire and use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents in accordance with the limitations specified above.
Optometrists who were first licensed prior to April 1, 1985, shall be authorized to acquire and use DPA’s upon documenting to the Department of Public Health successful completion of the following requirements:
A course consisting of at least 45 classroom hours and 15 clinical hours, which course is conducted by an accredited optometric institution and approved by the Department, and which course is completed on or subsequent to April 1, 1986;
An examination in optometric pharmacology, prescribed by the Department of Public Health with the consent of the Connecticut Board of Examiners in Optometry, and which examination is completed on or subsequent to April 1, 1986.
The Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) Examination, of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Examination, or the Clinical Pharmacology section of the NBEO, successfully completed on or after April 1, 1986. The passing score shall be a scaled score of 75, which is the NBEO’s recommended passing score.
Pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, licensed optometrists who are authorized to acquire and use Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents (DPA) as outlined above, must post in a conspicuous location in each office waiting room, a standardized notice stating that the optometrist is authorized to use DPA's within the scope of such optometrist's practice. The Department recommends the use of the following standardized language:
Pursuant to Section 20-127(b), Connecticut General Statutes, I, (insert name), O.D., have satisfied the statutory requirements pursuant to Chapter 380, Connecticut General Statutes, to administer prescribe and dispense Diagnostic Pharmaceutical Agents for the purpose of diagnosing eye disease in accordance with the scope of optometric practice.
