MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Representatives Endt, Hamilton, McInnis, Taylor

House Bill 974

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-19-157, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THERAPEUTICALLY CERTIFIED OPTOMETRISTS SHALL BE ALLOWED TO USE CERTAIN OPTOMETRIC PROCEDURES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-19-157, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-19-157. (1) Any optometrist certified to prescribe and use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents under Sections 73-19-153 through 73-19-165 may prescribe and use the pharmaceuticals listed in subsection (2) of this section for the purpose of examination, diagnosis, management and treatment of visual defects, abnormal conditions and diseases of the human eye and adnexa for proper optometric practice.

(2) The therapeutic pharmaceutical agents that may be prescribed and used by an optometrist certified under Sections 73-19-153 through 73-19-165 shall be limited to the following:

(a) Topical pharmaceutical agents; and

(b) Over-the-counter medications.

(3) Therapeutically certified optometrists shall be allowed to use pharmaceutical and medical treatment procedures as designated by the State Board of Optometry as current optometric procedures.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.