N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-5.1

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:35-5.1 - Minimum eye examination; contact lenses

(a) Physicians licensed to practice medicine and surgery, when performing an eye examination for the purpose of prescribing corrective lenses, shall fully and adequately disclose to the patient the limited purpose of the eye examination. The physician shall perform, and keep a complete record of, physical examination of the patient which shall include:

1. A complete history of visual aberrations;

2. A determination of visual acuity in each eye separately;

3. A cover test, distance and near, and a determination of muscle balance or imbalance;

4. An ophthalmoscopic examination and a determination of any abnormalities of lids, cornea, pupils, lens, vitreous and fundus. A record entry of "negative" or "clear" should be made if no pathology is found.

(b) Upon observing positive findings of ocular disease or abnormality, the physician shall disclose his findings to the patient and suggest an appropriate course of action.

(c) An ophthalmologist shall release a copy of a patient's contact lens prescription directly to a patient when a contact lens fitting is completed or at a later time at the patient's request or to a licensed ophthalmologist, a licensed optometrist or a New Jersey licensed ophthalmic dispenser upon either the oral or written request of a patient or a person acting on a patient's behalf, provided that the prescription is not more than two years old.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-5.1

Amended by R.1999 d.356, effective 10/18/1999.
See: 31 N.J.R. 1742(a), 31 N.J.R. 3117(a).
Rewrote (c).
Amended by R.2011 d.155, effective 6/6/2011.
See: 42 N.J.R. 1310(a), 43 N.J.R. 1359(b).
In (c), inserted "when a contact lens fitting is completed or at a later time at the patient's request", deleted a comma following "optometrist", and substituted "person" for "professional".