1. (a) If, while providing optometric services to a patient, an optometrist or diagnostically certified optometrist detects or diagnoses an active eye pathology which the optometrist is not licensed or certified to treat under § 11-404 or § 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

   1. (1) An ophthalmologist or a therapeutically certified optometrist, as appropriate;
   2. (2) The patient's physician;
   3. (3) A physician if required under a managed care contract; or
   4. (4) A hospital emergency room or ambulatory surgical center if necessary.

2. (b) If, while providing optometric services to a patient, a therapeutically certified optometrist diagnoses an active eye pathology that the optometrist is not certified to treat under § 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

   1. (1) An ophthalmologist;
   2. (2) The patient's physician;
   3. (3) A physician if required under a managed care contract; or
   4. (4) A hospital emergency room if necessary.

Added as Health Occupations § 10-402 by Acts 1981, c. 8, § 2, eff. July 1, 1981. Renumbered as Health Occupations § 11-402 by Acts 1990, c. 6, § 11, eff. Feb. 16, 1990. Amended by Acts 1995, c. 521, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995.

Formerly Art. 43, § 379.