D
Deaf Patients
Requirements for Optometrists: The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a doctor’s office to provide auxiliary aids and services to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. This may be as simple as using written materials, but may require contracting with a qualified interpreter for a particular patient. For specific information, call the federal government, 800-514-0301 (Department of Justice, ADA Matters), visit the DOJ website (this link is to ADA publications), call Texas Health & Human Services Commission, Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: 512-438-4880 (office can refer to an interpreter if required), or the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities: 512-463-5739.
DEA Registration Number
Applications: For instructions and requirements, please see Prescription Requirements.
Disability License Plates/Placards
An optometrist is authorized to issue documents that would allow individuals (or persons on their behalf) with mobility problems caused by vision impairments to obtain disability placards or specialty license plates. A completed application along with a notarized statement or written prescription may be required. Please use this link for the application and instructions. For the text of the law, use this link: Senate Bill 1367.
Disaster
See “Emergency” below.
Disciplinary Action
Obtaining Information: Members of the public can either telephone the Board office and ask whether an optometrist has had disciplinary action, or may use this website to find the information using the “Verify License” button.
DPS Permit
Controlled Substance Permit: The DPS no longer issues a permit (as of August 31, 2016). See Prescription Requirements.
“Dr.”
Use in Advertising, on Documents and any Professional Identification Subject to very strict requirements of state law (Healing Arts Identification Act). See especially the February 2012 Newsletter at the Newsletter page of the website. Permissible uses are also presented at the beginning of the Rules Booklet and the Texas Optometry Act Booklet available on this website.
Drivers
Disability Tags: See “Disability License Plates/Placards” above.
Impaired Drivers, Patients: An optometrist may report a patient who is not physically able to drive, but apparently is not required to do so by state law (however, check with legal counsel regarding malpractice liability for not reporting patient). The report may be made to DPS Medical Advisory Board.
Vision Requirements: See Department of Public Safety Rule 15.51.
Drugs
Addiction: see “Addiction.”
Controlled Substances: See “Controlled Substances.“
General Information: The FDA has a general information page: FDA Drugs Site.
Oral Drugs: Only an optometric glaucoma specialist may prescribe oral drugs. See website.
Prescribing: Prescribing requirements, including categories of drugs that may be prescribed by therapeutic optometrists and glaucoma specialists, may be found on this web page.
E
Emergency
Preparedness and Response: Information regarding measures that may be taken to prepare for an emergency such as a natural or man-made disaster may be found on this website at the Texas Department of State Health Services. The website includes information on responding to emergencies as well as information on volunteer opportunities at the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry.
F
Family Violence
An optometrist who treats injuries he or she suspects were caused by family violence is required to report the treatment in the patient records and give the patient information on nearest shelter and the statement required in Section 91.003 of the Family Code.
Fees
Lists of Optometrists: $65.00; Verifications of license and good standing for other states and verifications of CE for other states: $40.00; Duplicates of lost licenses (wall certificate): $25.00. Send check made out to “Texas Optometry Board” with request. License renewal fee is $442.72 for an active and inactive license, and $442.00 for an active Optometric Glaucoma Specialist renewal (the inactive renewal fee for the Optometric Glaucoma Specialist is the same as a therapeutic license renewal).
Finding Optometrist
See “Profiles“
Free Eye Exams
Permissible, but advertisement needs to include all restrictions, such as “fee will be charged if glasses are not needed.”
Free Glasses
An optometrist cannot advertise or give away free eyeglasses (also applies to contacts). Can advertise “buy one pair, get one free.” Section 351.404, Rule 273.3.
