1. A. An optometrist certified by the Board as qualified to administer diagnostic pharmaceutical agents may use the following agents:

   1. (1) Agents directly or indirectly affecting the pupil of the eye, including, but not limited to, the mydriatics and cycloplegics listed below:

      1. (a) Phenylephrine hydrochloride (2.5 percent);
      2. (b) Hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide (1.0 percent);
      3. (c) Cyclopentolate hydrochloride (0.5—2.0 percent);
      4. (d) Tropicamide (0.5 and 1.0 percent);
      5. (e) Cyclopentolate hydrochloride (0.2 percent) with phenylephrine hydrochloride (1.0 percent);
      6. (f) Dapiprazole hydrochloride (0.5 percent);
      7. (g) Hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide (1.0 percent) and tropicamide (0.25 percent); and

   2. (2) Agents directly or indirectly affecting the sensitivity of the cornea, including, but not limited to, the:

      1. (a) Topical anesthetics listed below:

         1. (i) Proparacaine hydrochloride (0.5 percent); and
         2. (ii) Tetracaine hydrochloride (0.5 percent);

      2. (b) Diagnostic topical anesthetic and dye combinations listed below:

         1. (i) Benoxinate hydrochloride (0.4 percent)—fluorescein sodium (0.25 percent); and
         2. (ii) Proparacaine hydrochloride (0.5 percent)—fluorescein sodium (0.25 percent).
2. B. The optometrist may use the diagnostic pharmaceutical agents listed in §A of this regulation in strengths not greater than the strengths indicated unless clinically indicated.
3. C. The optometrist may not dispense diagnostic pharmaceutical agents to patients for self-administration.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §§11-101, 11-205, and 11-404, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: May 14, 1990 (17:9 Md. R. 1090)

Regulation .01 amended effective July 31, 2017 (44:15 Md. R. 760)

Regulation .02A, B amended effective November 20, 1994 (21:33 Md. R. 1933); July 31, 2017 (44:15 Md. R. 760)

Regulation .03 amended effective March 4, 2002 (29:4 Md. R. 417)

Regulation .04 amended effective November 20, 1994 (21:33 Md. R. 1933)

Regulation .04D amended effective July 7, 2025 (52:13 Md. R. 656)