Sec. 351.3581. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA

(a) A therapeutic optometrist may not administer or prescribe an oral or parenteral medication or treat glaucoma unless the therapeutic optometrist holds a certificate issued by the board. A therapeutic optometrist certified under this subsection shall be known as an optometric glaucoma specialist. To obtain a certificate, a therapeutic optometrist must as required under Section 351.165(c):

(1) complete an instructional clinical review course; and

(2) pass an examination approved by the board.

(b) Not later than the 30th day after the date of the initial diagnosis of glaucoma, a therapeutic optometrist shall engage in consultation with an ophthalmologist to develop an individual treatment plan that is approved by the therapeutic optometrist and ophthalmologist. The parameters of the consultation shall be at the discretion of the ophthalmologist but must at least include confirmation of the diagnosis and a plan for comanagement of the patient, including periodic review of the patient's progress.

(c) A therapeutic optometrist required to engage in comanagement consultation with an ophthalmologist shall inform the patient diagnosed with glaucoma that the therapeutic optometrist is required to have the diagnosis confirmed and comanaged with an ophthalmologist of the patient's choosing or, if the patient does not choose an ophthalmologist, an ophthalmologist practicing in the geographic area in which the therapeutic optometrist practices.

(d) A therapeutic optometrist shall refer a patient to an ophthalmologist if:

(1) the patient is younger than 16 years of age and has been diagnosed as having glaucoma;

(2) the patient has been diagnosed as having acute closed angle glaucoma;

(3) the patient has been diagnosed as having malignant glaucoma or neovascular glaucoma;

(4) the therapeutic optometrist determines that a patient's glaucoma is caused by a diabetic complication and, after joint consultation with the physician treating the diabetes and an ophthalmologist by telephone, fax, or another method, the physician or ophthalmologist determines that the patient should be seen by the physician or ophthalmologist; or

(5) the therapeutic optometrist determines that a patient's glaucoma is not responding appropriately to a treatment specified in Subsection (f) and, after consulting a physician by telephone, fax, or another method, the physician determines that the patient should be seen by the physician or an appropriate specialist.

(e) A therapeutic optometrist who refers a patient to a physician or specialist shall inform the patient that the patient may go to any physician or specialist the patient chooses. This subsection does not prevent a therapeutic optometrist from recommending a physician or specialist.

(f) On making an initial diagnosis of glaucoma, a therapeutic optometrist shall set a target pressure that is not more than 80 percent of the initial intraocular pressure. The patient's glaucoma is not considered to be appropriately responding to treatment if the patient fails to achieve the target pressure within an appropriate time.

(g) Before a therapeutic optometrist may prescribe a beta blocker, the therapeutic optometrist must take a complete case history of the patient and determine whether the patient has had a physical examination within the 180 days preceding the date of taking the history. If the patient has not had a physical examination or if the patient has a history of congestive heart failure, bradycardia, heart block, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the therapeutic optometrist must refer the patient to a physician for a physical examination before initiating beta blocker therapy.

(h) A therapeutic optometrist who diagnoses acute closed angle glaucoma may initiate appropriate emergency treatment for a patient but shall refer the patient to a physician in a timely manner.

(i) A physician may charge a reasonable consultation fee for a consultation given as provided by this section.

(j) A physician to whom a patient is referred by a therapeutic optometrist under this section shall forward to the therapeutic optometrist, not later than the 30th day after first seeing the patient, a written report on the results of the referral. The therapeutic optometrist shall maintain the report in the patient's records. A physician who, for a medically appropriate reason, does not return a patient to the therapeutic optometrist who referred the patient shall state in the physician's report to the therapeutic optometrist the specific medical reason for failing to return the patient.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 14.152(c), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.