TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 16 OPTOMETRIC PRACTITIONERS

PART 20 OPHTHALMIC LENSES

16.16.20.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Board of Optometry.

[16.16.20.1 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004; A, 07-06-2012]

16.16.20.2 SCOPE: Part 20 of Chapter is written to provide information about the prescribing of ophthalmic lenses for eyeglasses.

[16.16.20.2 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The authority for Part 20 of Chapter 16 is NMSA 1978, Sections 61-2-1 to 61-2-18 (2003 Repl. Pamp.).

[16.16.20.3 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[16.16.20.4 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 15, 2004, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.16.20.5 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 20 of Chapter 16 is to set forth rules related to the prescribing and dispensing of ophthalmic lenses and eyeglasses.

[16.16.20.6 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.7 DEFINITIONS:

A. “Ophthalmic lens” means a lens that has a spherical, cylindrical or prismatic value, is ground pursuant to a prescription and is intended to be used as eyeglasses.

B. “Eyeglasses” means an exterior optical device using ophthalmic lenses for the correction or relief of disturbances in the anomalies of human vision.

[16.16.20.7 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.8 OPHTHALMIC PRESCRIPTION:

A. A prescription written for ophthalmic lenses shall include the following:

(1) the dioptric power of spheres, cylinders and prisms;

(2) the axes of cylinders;

(3) the position of the prism base;

(4) the designation of the pupillary distance;

(5) the name of the patient;

(6) the date of the prescription;

(7) the expiration date of the prescription; and

(8) the name and address of the prescriber

B. If so desired by the prescriber, the light transmission properties and the lens curve values may be included as well.

[16.16.20.8 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.9 AUTHORITY OF PERSON WHO SELLS AND DISPENSES EYEGLASSES: A person who sells and dispenses eyeglasses upon the written prescription of an optometrist, physician, or surgeon may determine the following:

A. the type, form, size, and shape of the ophthalmic lens;

B. the placement of optical centers for distance-seeing and near-work;

C. the designation of type and placement of reading segments in multivision lenses;

D. the type and quality of frame or mounting;

E. the type of bridge and distance between lenses;

F. the type, length and angling of temples; and

G. the designation of pupillary distance.

[16.16.20.9 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

16.16.20.10 UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RELATED TO OPHTHALMIC LENSES:

A. Refusing to provide the patient with his/her eyeglass prescription if the prescription is under a year old; or

B. Duplicating or replacing eyeglasses when the prescription is more than two years old without written authorization from the patient.

[16.16.20.10 NMAC - N, 03-15-2004]

History of 16.16.20 NMAC: [RESERVED]