Treatment of glaucoma prohibited without certificate; duty to refer certain patients with glaucoma to ophthalmologist.
1. An optometrist shall not treat a person diagnosed with glaucoma unless he has been issued a certificate by the Board pursuant to NRS 636.2895.
2. An optometrist who has been issued a certificate to treat persons diagnosed with glaucoma pursuant to NRS 636.2895 shall refer a patient diagnosed with glaucoma to an ophthalmologist for treatment if any one of the following is applicable:
(a) The patient is under 16 years of age.
(b) The patient has been diagnosed with malignant glaucoma or neovascular glaucoma.
(c) The patient has been diagnosed with acute closed angle glaucoma. The provisions of this paragraph do not prohibit the optometrist from administering appropriate emergency treatment to the patient.
(d) The patient’s glaucoma is caused by diabetes, and, after joint consultation with a physician who is treating the diabetes and an ophthalmologist, the physician or ophthalmologist determines that the patient should be treated by an ophthalmologist. If an optometrist determines that a patient’s glaucoma is caused by diabetes, he shall consult with a physician and ophthalmologist in the manner provided in this paragraph.
Last modified: February 27, 2006