S.C. Code Ann. § 40-37-107 – Referral of patient to physician or to other optometrist; treatment by optometrist; surgery prohibited | Midpage
§ 40-37-107
S.C. Code Ann. § 40-37-107
Referral of patient to physician or to other optometrist; treatment by optometrist; surgery prohibited
(A) In the diagnosis and treatment of ocular and ocular adnexal eye disease, documentation in the patient's chart and appropriate consultations and referrals must be in keeping with the standard of care in accordance with Section 40-37-108.
(B) In the diagnosis or treatment of eye disease an optometrist, using judgment and that degree of skill, care, knowledge, and attention ordinarily possessed and exercised by optometrists in good standing under like circumstances, shall refer a patient to an appropriate medical or osteopathic doctor including, but not limited to, corneal, glaucoma, or retinal ophthalmological specialists when additional evaluation or treatment is necessary. However, any optometrist may refer a patient to a therapeutically certified optometrist when additional evaluation or treatment is necessary or to a medical or osteopathic doctor as provided for in this section, and any optometrist may refer a patient to another optometrist for the purpose of fitting or dispensing eye glasses, contact lenses, or low vision aids. The South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry shall promulgate regulations for the maintenance of records of referrals by optometrists in accordance with this section.
(C) Notwithstanding subsection (B) in treating and managing glaucoma, a therapeutically certified optometrist must strive to achieve a stable range of intraocular pressures considered unlikely to cause further optic nerve damage in that patient. Once this range of pressures is selected based on conditions presented by the patient, the therapeutically certified optometrist must enter this range in the patient's chart. If no measurable progress is achieved in realizing the selected range of pressures within sixty days of initiating treatment, the optometrist shall refer the patient to an ophthalmologist. However, when treating acute angle closure glaucoma, a therapeutically certified optometrist shall immediately initiate treatment after which an appropriate referral must be made to an ophthalmologist.
(D) An optometrist is prohibited from performing surgery. For purposes of this section, surgery includes, but is not limited to, an invasive procedure using instruments which requires closure by suturing, clamping, or other similar devices or a procedure in which the presence or assistance of a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist is required. Laser surgery is prohibited. However, nothing in this section or any other provision of law may be construed to prohibit an optometrist from removing superficial ocular and ocular adnexal foreign bodies; removal of other foreign bodies must be referred to an ophthalmologist.