Maryland Health Occupations Section 11-402

      (a)      If, while providing optometric services to a patient, an optometrist or diagnostically certified optometrist detects or diagnoses an active eye pathology which the optometrist is not licensed or certified to treat under § 11-404 or § 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

            (1)      An ophthalmologist or a therapeutically certified optometrist, as appropriate;

            (2)      The patient's physician;

            (3)      A physician if required under a managed care contract; or

            (4)      A hospital emergency room or ambulatory surgical center if necessary.

      (b)      If, while providing optometric services to a patient, a therapeutically certified optometrist diagnoses an active eye pathology that the optometrist is not certified to treat under § 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

            (1)      An ophthalmologist;

            (2)      The patient's physician;

            (3)      A physician if required under a managed care contract; or

            (4)      A hospital emergency room if necessary.