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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 105. Board of Optometry
Chapter 20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Optometry
11/21/2024

18VAC105-20-46. Treatment guidelines for TPA-certified optometrists.

A. TPA-certified optometrists may treat diseases and abnormal conditions of the human eye and its adnexa that may be treated with medically appropriate pharmaceutical agents as referenced in 18VAC105-20-47.

B. In addition, the following may be treated:

1. Glaucoma (excluding the treatment of congenital and infantile glaucoma). Treatment of angle closure shall follow the definition and protocol prescribed in subsection C of this section.

2. Ocular-related post-operative care in cooperation with patient's surgeon.

3. Ocular trauma to the above tissues as in subsection A of this section.

4. Uveitis.

5. Anaphylactic shock (limited to the administration of intramuscular epinephrine).

C. The definition and protocol for treatment of angle closure glaucoma shall be as follows:

1. As used in this chapter, angle closure glaucoma shall mean a closed angle in the involved eye with significantly increased intraocular pressure, and corneal microcystic edema;

2. Treatment shall be limited to the initiation of immediate emergency care with appropriate pharmaceutical agents as prescribed by this chapter;

3. Once the diagnosis of angle closure glaucoma has been established by the optometrist, the ophthalmologist to whom the patient is to be referred should be contacted immediately;

4. If there are no medical contraindications, an oral osmotic agent may be administered as well as an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and any other medically accepted, Schedule III, IV or VI, oral antiglaucomic agent as may become available; and

5. Proper topical medications as appropriate may also be administered by the optometrist.

D. An oral Schedule VI immunosuppressive agent shall only be used when (i) the condition fails to appropriately respond to any other treatment regimen; (ii) such agent is prescribed in consultation with a physician; and (iii) treatment with such agent includes monitoring of systemic effects.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3223 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 8, eff. December 8, 2004; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 6, eff. December 11, 2019.

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