MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Holland
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-19-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED OPTOMETRISTS AND OPHTHALMOLOGISTS TO DISPENSE, FIT AND PRESCRIBE FDA-APPROVED MEDICATED CONTACT LENSES; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS SECTION DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A LICENSED OPTOMETRIST TO PRESCRIBE, FIT, SELL OR DISPENSE CONTACT LENSES MEDICATED WITH A DRUG THAT IS OUTSIDE OF THE LICENSED OPTOMETRIST'S SCOPE OF PRACTICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 73-19-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-19-61. It shall be unlawful for any person, persons, corporation, proprietorship, partnership, or any entity other than a licensed optometrist or licensed ophthalmologist to dispense, fit, or prescribe to the public contact lenses, including FDA-approved medicated contact lenses, or any medical appliance having direct contact with the cornea of the eye. An optical dispenser may, however, fill the written contact lens prescription of a licensed optometrist or licensed ophthalmologist, provided that the optical dispenser directs the wearer of the lenses back to the prescribing optometrist or ophthalmologist for verification of the proper fit of the lenses. This section does not authorize a licensed optometrist to prescribe, fit, sell or dispense contact lenses medicated with a drug that is outside of the licensed optometrist's scope of practice.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.