The following information on HB149 is the summary taken from the bill analysis.  The entire document and the actual Act can be viewed at www.legislature.state.oh.us.  Under “Current Legislation” click on House and then type in 149.  You can then click on the various prompts.

• Modifies the scope of practice of an optometrist holding a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certificate by doing all of the following:  (1) eliminating the statutory specifications of the particular drugs and dosages that may be administered or prescribed, (2) specifying the classifications of oral drugs that may be used in the practice of optometry, with limitations on the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatories, (3) eliminating the provision that limits the use of drug treatment to conditions involving the anterior segment of the eye, (4) authorizing the use of any topical drug that pertains to the practice of optometry, (5) permitting the administration of epinephrine by injection in emergency situations, (6) allowing the use of glucose-monitoring devices, and (7) authorizing the prescription and dispensing of vision-correcting devices that also deliver drugs.

• Requires the State Board of Optometry to adopt rules governing the use of Schedule III controlled substances in the practice of optometry.

• Permits an optometrist who holds a topical ocular pharmaceutical agents certificate to use any topical drug or dangerous drug for evaluative purposes.

• Prescribes the manner in which the Board may share information with other investigating boards and agencies.

• Increases the requirement for annual continuing optometric education to twenty-five clock hours each year for ALL optometrists.  At least ten of the twenty-five hours of instruction must be in pharmacology.

• Modifies the licensing exemption that applies to optometry students by permitting students from optometry schools in other states to participate in an optometry training program in Ohio.

• Provides that prescriptions for contact lenses must contain all information required by federal law, including an expiration date.

• Expressly requires the Ohio Optical Dispensers Board to regulate the dispensing of contact lenses, regardless of whether they address visual function, and expressly requires that all contact lenses, including cosmetic contact lenses, be dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription.