Chapter Opt 1

Register May 2007 No. 617

Chapter Opt 1

AUTHORITY AND DEFINITIONS

Opt 1.01   Authority.

Opt 1.02   Definitions.

Opt 1.03   Delegation and supervision.

Ch. Opt 1 History History: Chapter Opt 1 as it existed on January 31, 1971 was repealed, and a new chapter Opt 1 was created, Register, January, 1971, No. 181, effective 2-1-71.

Opt 1.01 Opt 1.01 Authority. The rules in chs. Opt 1 to 8 are adopted under authority in ss. 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2), 449.01 and 449.07, Stats., to define the scope of practice of optometry in Wisconsin.

Opt 1.01 History History: Cr. Register, August, 1985, No. 356, eff. 9-1-85; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, March, 1989, No. 399; am. Register, September, 1997, No. 501, eff. 10-1-97; CR 06-116: am. Register May 2007 No. 617, eff. 6-1-07.

Opt 1.02 Opt 1.02 Definitions. As used in chs. Opt 1 to 8:

Opt 1.02(1) (1) “Board” means the optometry examining board. 

Opt 1.02(1m) (1m) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services. 

Opt 1.02(4) (4) “Minimum eye examination” means performance of all of the following procedures:

Opt 1.02(4)(a) (a) Recording a complete case history of the patient.

Opt 1.02(4)(b) (b) Measuring far and near visual acuity.

Opt 1.02(4)(c) (c) Conducting an internal and external examination of the eye and adnexa.

Opt 1.02(4)(d) (d) Measuring corneal curvature.

Opt 1.02(4)(e) (e) Obtaining objective measurement of refractive error.

Opt 1.02(4)(f) (f) Evaluating convergence and accommodation.

Opt 1.02(4)(g) (g) Obtaining far and near refraction.

Opt 1.02(4)(h) (h) Evaluating muscle balance.

Opt 1.02(4)(i) (i) Measuring intraocular pressure.

Opt 1.02(4)(j) (j) Recording spectacle prescription including far and near visual acuity.

Opt 1.02(5) (5) “Minimum eye examination for the fitting of contact lenses” means the performance of all of the following procedures:

Opt 1.02(5)(a) (a) Performing the minimum eye examination procedures under sub. (4).

Opt 1.02(5)(b) (b) Determining whether a patient may safely and comfortably wear contact lenses.

Opt 1.02(5)(c) (c) Using a spectacle prescription as a basis for selecting, designing, manufacturing, or duplicating a contact lens.

Opt 1.02(5)(d) (d) Placing a trial contact lens upon the eye of a patient for diagnostic purposes.

Opt 1.02(5)(e) (e) Evaluating the physical fit of the trial contact lens.

Opt 1.02(5)(f) (f) Using a phoropter, hand-held lens or any automated instrument for the purposes of determining the prescription or change in prescription of a contact lens.

Opt 1.02(5)(g) (g) Determining contact lens specifications.

Opt 1.02(5)(h) (h) Counseling the patient on all the following:

Opt 1.02(5)(h)1. 1. The proper care and use of the prescribed contact lenses.

Opt 1.02(5)(h)2. 2. The appropriate contact lens wearing schedule.

Opt 1.02(5)(h)3. 3. The contact lens replacement schedule.

Opt 1.02(5)(i) (i) When contact lenses are prescribed for extended wear, informing the patient of the potential risks or complications.

Opt 1.02(5)(j) (j) Performing progress evaluations and recording in the patient record the recommended date of the patient’s next visit.

Opt 1.02(5m) (5m) “Minor” has the meaning given in s. 990.01 (20), Stats.

Opt 1.02(6) (6) “Supervision” means availability to coordinate, direct, and inspect the practice of an unlicensed person on a regular basis, as determined by the supervising optometrist.

Opt 1.02 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1971, No. 181, eff. 2-1-71; am. Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; r. and recr. Register, August, 1985, No. 356, eff. 9-1-85; emerg. r. (3), eff. 10-18-85; r. (3), Register, April, 1986, No. 364, eff. 5-1-86; correction in (1) (h) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, March, 1989, No. 399; renum. (1), (2) and (4) to be (2), (3) and (6) and am. (2) (h) and (6) (c), (1), (4) and (5) renum. from Opt 5.02 (1), (3) and (4), Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; am. (intro.), (2) (a) to (g), (4) (intro.) to (d), (5) (intro.) to (i) and (6) (a) to (e), r. (1), cr. (1) and (1m), Register, September, 1997, No. 501, eff. 10-1-97; CR 06-116: am. (intro.), r. (3), r. and recr. (6), Register May 2007 No. 617, eff. 6-1-07; correction in (1m) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register February 2012 No. 674; CR 21-005: r. (2), r. and recr. (4), (5), cr. (5m) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22; correction in (5) (h) 3. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2022 No. 798.

Opt 1.03 Opt 1.03 Delegation and supervision. Except as provided under s. Opt 5.03 (19) and (20), an optometrist may direct an unlicensed person working under the optometrist’s supervision to perform any act that is within the optometrist’s scope of practice. The optometrist continues to be responsible for interpretation of test findings, as well as the diagnosis and management of any condition related to the care of the patient.

Opt 1.03 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1975, No. 231, eff. 4-1-75; r. and recr. Register, August, 1985, No. 356, eff. 9-1-85; CR 06-116: r. and recr. Register May 2007 No. 617, eff. 6-1-07; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2016 No. 732.