2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 12 - Professions and Occupations
Health Care
Article 40 - Optometrists
§ 12-40-109.5. Use of prescription and nonprescription drugs

(1) Notwithstanding section 12-42.5-118, a licensed optometrist may purchase, possess, and administer prescription or nonprescription drugs for examination purposes only if, after July 1, 1983, the optometrist has complied with the following minimum requirements: Successful completion, by attendance and examination, of at least fifty-five classroom hours of study in general, ocular, and clinical pharmacology which must have been completed within twenty-four months preceding the application for certification; except that, in the event that such classroom hours have been completed since 1976, only six of such classroom hours must have been completed within twenty-four months preceding the application for certification. The courses shall be offered by an institution that is accredited by a regional or professional accreditation organization recognized or approved by the council on postsecondary education or the United States department of education or their successors.

(1.5) Notwithstanding section 12-42.5-118, a licensed optometrist may purchase, possess, administer, and prescribe prescription or nonprescription drugs for treatment on and after July 1, 1988, only if the optometrist has complied with the following minimum requirements within twenty-four months preceding the application for certification: Successful completion, by attendance and examination, of at least sixty classroom hours of study in ocular pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, therapeutics, and anterior segment disease; and successful completion by attendance and examination of at least sixty hours of approved supervised clinical training in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions of the human eye and its appendages. The courses shall be offered by an institution that is accredited by a regional or professional accreditation organization recognized or approved by the council of postsecondary education or the United States department of education or their successors.

(2) The optometrist shall successfully complete a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation within twenty-four months before using prescription or nonprescription drugs and shall pass a written and clinical examination approved by the board.

(3) In addition to the requirements of section 12-40-108.5, each therapeutic optometrist shall meet all requirements prescribed by the board before commencing treatment of glaucoma or anterior uveitis.