Rule 4725-5-19 | Utilizing controlled substances for self and family members.
(A) Accepted and prevailing standards of care presuppose a professional relationship between a patient and a licensed optometrist when the licensed optometrist is prescribing controlled substances. By definition, a licensed optometrist may never have such a relationship with himself or herself. Thus, a licensed optometrist shall not self-prescribe or self-administer controlled substances.
(B) Accepted and prevailing standards of care require that a licensed optometrist maintain detached professional judgment when utilizing controlled substances in the treatment of family members. A licensed optometrist shall utilize controlled substances when treating a family member only in an ocular emergency situation which shall be documented in the patient's record.
(C) For purposes of this rule, "family member" means a spouse, parent, child, sibling or other individual in relation to whom a licensed optometrist's personal or emotional involvement may render that licensed optometrist unable to exercise detached professional judgment in reaching diagnostic or therapeutic decisions.
(D) Failure to comply with all or part of this rule constitutes a violation of section 4725.19 of the Revised Code.
Last updated December 12, 2023 at 1:33 PM
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