Whenever it is required by law that a visual test of the eye be made or optometric care of the eye be required of any person by any school or college, state or county board or other agency of the government, such test or care may be made or had by an optometrist duly licensed in this State. When any person is required to furnish evidence of visual efficiency a report of any such optometrist shall be a compliance with the law requiring such certificate or report.

All agencies of the State and its subdivisions, and all commissions, clinics, and boards administering relief, public assistance, public welfare assistance, social security or health services under the laws of this State, shall accept the services of licensed optometrists for all services that they are licensed to perform relating to any person receiving benefits from such agencies or subdivisions. All of the governmental agencies or agents, officials or employees thereof, including the public schools, may counsel with and advise the persons needing eye care as to the type of service needed and as to those qualified to render such service, but no attempt shall be made to steer an individual seeking vision care to either an optometrist or a physician. The patient shall be given free choice in his selection of a specialist to serve his vision-care needs, in examinations, vision screening, or other vision services. Provided, that an exception shall be made in emergency cases of obvious eye injury or disease where delay in obtaining the services of a physician might endanger the patient's visual health. Provided, further, that in recognized instances of disease or anomalies disclosed in the original physical evaluation by the State agency, such cases may be referred directly to specialists, ophthalmologists or optometrists as deemed appropriate by the evaluating agency.

There shall be no differential in the fee schedule for vision-care services, whether performed by an optometrist or a physician, that is, for like services common to both professions.

No funds appropriated for vision care shall be used by any agency that practices discrimination between a licensed optometrist or a licensed physician.

Nothing in this section shall prevent a nurse, school teacher, or welfare worker, employed in public service, from ascertaining the probable need of visual services, provided such person does not attempt to diagnose or prescribe or to recommend any particular practitioner or system of practice.