1. (1) A prescription for spectacles or ophthalmic devices is defined as a written order signed by the examining optometrist at the conclusion of a vision care encounter as set forth in Rule 1045- 02-.08. No optometrist shall write a spectacle prescription until the below steps have been performed.
2. (2) An optometrist shall comply with and abide by all federal statutes and regulations pertaining to spectacle lens prescriptions and eye examinations adopted by the Federal Trade Commission.

3. (3) Contents of Spectacle Lens Prescription. No prescription for spectacle lenses shall include instructions to obtain the specifications from existing lenses. A fully written spectacle lens prescription must contain all information required to accurately manufacture and dispense the spectacle lens, including:

   1. (a) Patient’s name, address, and date of birth;
   2. (b) Prescribing optometrist’s name and contact information;
   3. (c) Date the prescription is issued which is the date the patient receives a copy of the prescription;
   4. (d) Sphere power;
   5. (e) Cylinder power;
   6. (f) Axis location;
   7. (g) Prism power and base direction;
   8. (h) Type, size, and power of multifocal;
   9. (i) Interpupillary distance;
   10. (j) Ophthalmic tint;
   11. (k) A specific date of expiration, not to exceed twelve (12) months unless the prescribing optometrist documents an earlier expiration date based on the optometrist’s professional judgment regarding the ocular health of the patient;
   12. (l) Prescribing optometrist’s professional degree, Tennessee license number, and signature. An individual employed by the prescribing optometrist may act as an authorized designee and sign the prescribing optometrist’s name with permission.
4. (4) A prescription for contact lenses is defined as a written order signed by the examining optometrist at the conclusion of a contact lens fitting and evaluation as set forth in Rule 1045- 02-.08.

5. (5) An optometrist shall comply with all federal statutes and regulations pertaining to contact lens prescriptions and eye examinations adopted by the Federal Trade Commission.

   1. (a) Contact lens fitting and evaluation means the process that begins after the vision care encounter and ends upon completion of the requirements as set forth in Rule 1045-02- .08.
   2. (b) Words or phrases such as “OK for contact lenses,” “fit with contact lenses,” “contact lenses may be worn,” or similar wording do not constitute a contact lens prescription.
   3. (c) No prescription for contact lenses shall include instructions to obtain the specifications from existing lenses nor to convert from spectacle lenses.
   4. (d) In the case of a renewal prescription, the fitting and evaluation ends when the prescribing optometrist determines that no change in the existing material, base curve or diameter is required, or a new fitting and evaluation is completed with necessary follow-up examinations.

   5. (e) Contents of Contact Lens Prescription. A fully written contact lens prescription must contain all information required to accurately dispense the contact lens, including:

      1. 1. Patient’s name, address, and date of birth;
      2. 2. Prescribing optometrist’s name and contact information;
      3. 3. Explicit statement that it is a contact lens prescription;
      4. 4. Date the prescription is issued;
      5. 5. All parameters required to properly supply soft contact lenses, to include:
   6. (i) Name of manufacturer, trade name of private label brand, and if applicable, trade name of equivalent brand name when the prescribed brand name is not available to the optical industry as a whole, unless it is documented the prescribing of a proprietary lens brand is necessary for eye health;
   7. (ii) The base curve;
   8. (iii) The lens power;
   9. (iv) The diameter;
   10. (v) The replacement interval;
   11. (vi) The suggested sterilization method, when indicated; and

   12. (vii) Any other information necessary to accomplish the objective of the prescription.

       1. 6. Any prescription issued by a Licensee for rigid contact lenses shall include:
   13. (i) The lens material;
   14. (ii) The base curve;
   15. (iii) The prism power;
   16. (iv) The overall diameter;
   17. (v) The replacement interval;
   18. (vi) The suggested sterilization method, when indicated; and

   19. (vii) Any other information necessary to accomplish the objective of the prescription.

       1. 7. A specific date of expiration, not to exceed twelve (12) months unless the prescribing optometrist documents an earlier expiration date based upon the optometrist’s professional judgment regarding the ocular health.
       2. 8. Prescribing optometrist’s professional degree, Tennessee license number, and signature. An individual employed by the prescribing optometrist may act as an authorized designee and sign the prescribing optometrist’s name with permission.
       3. 9. The prescribing optometrist has the authority to specify any and all parameters of a contact prescription for the compensatory, therapeutic, and/or visual health of a patient. The prescription shall not contain restrictions limiting the parameters to a private label or product not available to the optical industry as a whole. The prescribing of a private label or product brand is acceptable if indicated and documented as necessary for eye health.
       4. 10. Notice that the contact lens dispenser shall not adapt, substitute, or change the contact lens prescription without prior authorization from the prescribing optometrist, to include specific material types and design types, to do so constitutes the practice of optometry.
       5. 11. An optometrist shall not charge the patient any fee as a condition for releasing any prescription to the patient. An optometrist may charge a service fee for verifying ophthalmic goods dispensed by another seller if the service fee is imposed at the time the verification is performed.

6. (6) Ophthalmic prescription orders as defined by T.C.A. § 63-10-204(42) and written by an optometrist certified to practice therapeutics shall conform to state and federal statutes governing such forms and Rule 1045-02-.16 and as amended. Therapeutic prescription orders shall include:

   1. (a) Patient’s name, address, and date of birth;
   2. (b) Prescribing optometrist’s name and contact information;
   3. (c) Date the prescription is issued;
   4. (d) Name of the prescription drug prescribed, strength, quantity, and directions for use thereof;
   5. (e) Refill instructions;
   6. (f) Prescribing optometrist’s Drug Enforcement Administration number, if applicable;
   7. (g) Prescribing optometrist’s signature and professional degree;

   8. (h) Pursuant to Rule 1045-02-.09(3), all therapeutic prescriptions written by a Tennessee optometrist certified to practice therapeutics shall include:

      1. 1. Tennessee license number, and
      2. 2. “T” designation preceding license number, i.e. “OD-T000.”

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-8-102, 63-8-112, 63-8-113, and 63-8-120. Administrative History: Original rule filed May 15, 1981; effective July 22, 1981. Repeal and new rule filed November 30, 1990; effective January 14, 1991. Amendment filed October 29, 1991; effective December 13, 1991. Amendment filed October 18, 2004; effective January 1, 2005. Amendment filed July 10, 2006; effective September 23, 2006. Amendments filed May 6, 2025; effective August 4, 2025.