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Optometry Board Policy
Definition of Optometric Vision Therapy and/or Training
Optometric
vision therapy and/or training is a treatment plan used to
correct or improve specific dysfunctions of the vision system
determined by standardized diagnostic criteria. Such dysfunctions
include, but are not limited to, strabismus, amblyopia, and
other deficiencies in binocularity, accommodation, ocular
motor function and visual-perceptual-motor abilities. Treatment
plans may encompass the use of lenses, prisms, occlusion and
other appropriate materials, modalities and equipment.
As stated
in R.C. 4725.01(A)(1), the practice of optometry means the
application of optical principles, through technical methods
and devices, in the examination of human eyes for the purpose
of ascertaining departures from the normal, measuring their
functional powers, adapting optical accessories for the
aid thereof, and detecting ocular abnormalities that may
be evidence of disease, pathology, or injury. Therefore,
optometric vision therapy and/or vision training is the
practice of optometry if it consists of the adaptation of
optical aids and use of technical methods and/or devices
for one of the purposes listed in R.C. 4725.01(A)(1).
Guidelines
for Optometric Vision Therapy and/or Training
Under
R.C. 4725.02(A), no person shall engage in the practice of
optometry unless he or she has received a certificate of licensure
from the Ohio State Board of Optometry and that certificate
is in good standing.
Consequently,
an individual not licensed as an optometrist under R.C.
Chapter 4725 cannot practice vision therapy and/or vision
training if such therapy or training involves, as stated
in R.C. 4725.01(A)(1), the application of optical principles,
through technical methods and devices, in the examination
of human eyes for the purpose of ascertaining departures
from the normal, measuring their functional powers, adapting
optical accessories for the aid thereof, and detecting ocular
abnormalities that may be evidence of disease, pathology,
or injury." Once an individual licensed as an optometrist
under R.C. Chapter 4725 conducts an examination of the visual
system for one of these purposes, however, he or she may
develop a treatment plan consisting of vision therapy and/or
training and delegate implementation of the plan, by contract
or otherwise, to an individual not licensed under R.C. Chapter
4725.
That individual may then conduct therapy sessions, provide
instruction to patients on particular exercises, assist
in the performance of exercises, and designate portions
of the therapy or training to be performed by the patient
outside of office therapy sessions. The unlicensed individual's
activities cannot include the application of optical principles,
through technical methods and devices, in the examination
of human eyes for the purpose of ascertaining departures
from the normal, measuring their functional powers, adapting
optical accessories for the aid thereof, and detecting ocular
abnormalities that may be evidence of disease, pathology,
or injury."
If
in accordance to these guidelines the unlicensed individual
is not making a diagnosis but consulting with a licensed optometrist
in providing vision training and/or therapy, they are not
considered practicing optometry. If an Ohio licensed optometrist
delegates the implementation of a vision therapy or training
treatment plan to an unlicensed individual, the optometrist
is still ultimately responsible for the patient. The optometrist's
responsibilities to insure protection of the patient should
include:
1) Formulate
the proper diagnosis;
2) Specify the appropriate treatment program;
3) Determine the approximate length and closing point of
therapy or training needed;
4) Periodically monitor and reevaluate the patient's progress;
and
5) Verify that the individual to perform the vision therapy
or training has demonstrated competency in these areas.
These
guidelines are created for licensees who wish to engage in
optometric vision therapy and/or training.
Adopted April 3, 1996
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