(A) The board will approve for optometric pharmacology continuing education compliance only those programs which relate to:
(1) General and ocular pharmacology
(2) Signs and symptoms of ocular disease
(3) The diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease
(4) Appropriate criteria for referring patients to physicians and co-managing patients with physicians
(5) The use of those instruments which are utilized in conjunction with the topical ocular pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents approved pursuant to section 4725.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) Speakers, lecturers and others participating in the presentation of the programs must be recognized by the board as possessing requisite qualifications and being expert and of recognized repute in their area of instruction.
(C) The course content must reflect that it is comparable to those courses in pharmacology required by optometry boards of other states whose licensees are permitted the use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents in the course of their practice of optometry.
(D) Programs must be available to all Ohio licensed optometrists. Limitations may be necessary based on space, time or format of presentation and must be so noted on application. Any program that is too restrictive may be denied approval.
(E) Programs must contribute to the advancement of professional skill and knowledge of the participants and enable them to render continuously better and more comprehensive optometric service to the recipients of their care. Programs cannot be used to market the sponsor's/presenter's products or services.