(A) The state vision professionals board shall evaluate schools of optometry and grant its approval to schools that adequately prepare their graduates for the practice of optometry in this state. Approval shall be granted only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board.

Terms Used In Ohio Code 4725.10

  • practice of optometry: means all of the following:

    (1) The application of optical principles, through technical methods and devices, in the examination of human eyes for the purpose of ascertaining departures from the normal, measuring their functional powers, adapting optical accessories for the aid thereof, and detecting ocular abnormalities that may be evidence of disease, pathology, or injury;

    (2) Employing, applying, administering, and prescribing instruments, devices, and procedures, other than invasive procedures, for purpose of examination, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease, injury, or other abnormal condition of the visual system;

    (3) Employing, applying, administering, and prescribing topical ocular pharmaceutical agents;

    (4) Employing, applying, administering, and prescribing therapeutic pharmaceutical agents;

    (5) Assisting an individual in determining the individual's blood glucose level by using a commercially available glucose-monitoring device. See Ohio Code 4725.01

  • state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59

(B) To be approved by the board, a school of optometry shall meet at least the following conditions:

(1) Be accredited by a professional optometric accrediting agency recognized by the board;

(2) Require as a prerequisite to admission to the school’s courses in optometry at least two academic years of study with credits of at least sixty semester hours or ninety quarter hours in a college of arts and sciences accredited by a post-secondary education accrediting organization recognized by the board;

(3) Require a course of study of at least four academic years with credits of at least one hundred thirty-four semester hours or two hundred quarter hours.

(C) The board may establish standards for the approval of schools of optometry that are higher than the standards specified in division (B) of this section.