{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-2400.01_2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-2400.01_2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-2400.01_2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-2400.01_2.html"}],"law_id":57686,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57686,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.01:2","catch_line":"Ophthalmic prescription defined; who may provide ophthalmic prescriptions","history":"2017, cc. 169, 184.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Contact lens&#8221; means any lens that is placed directly on the surface of the eye, whether or not the lens is intended to correct a visual defect, including any cosmetic, therapeutic, or corrective contact lens.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Ophthalmic prescription&#8221; means a handwritten or electronic order of a provider that includes (i) in the case of contact lenses, all information required by the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, 15 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 7601 et seq., (ii) in the case of prescription eyeglasses, all information required by the Ophthalmic Practice Rule, also known as the Eyeglass Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 456, and (iii) necessary and appropriate information for the dispensing of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses for a patient, including the provider&#8217;s name, physical address at which the provider practices, and telephone number.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Provider&#8221; means an ophthalmologist licensed by the Board of Medicine pursuant to Chapter 29 (&#xA7; 54.1-2900 et seq.) or an optometrist licensed by the Board of Optometry pursuant to Chapter 32 (&#xA7; 54.1-3200 et seq.).B\n\nFor the purpose of a provider prescribing spectacles, eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses to a patient, a provider shall establish a bona fide provider-patient relationship by an examination (i) in person, (ii) through face-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communication, or (iii) store-and-forward technologies when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the provider obtains an updated medical history at the time of prescribing; (b) the provider makes a diagnosis at the time of prescribing; (c) the provider conforms to the standard of care expected of in-person care as appropriate to the patient&#8217;s age and presenting condition, including when the standard of care requires the use of diagnostic testing and performance of a physical examination, which may be carried out through the use of peripheral devices appropriate to the patient&#8217;s condition; (d) the ophthalmic prescription is not determined solely by use of an online questionnaire; (e) the provider is actively licensed in the Commonwealth and authorized to prescribe; and (f) upon request, the prescriber provides patient records in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; 32.1-127.1:03 and all other state and federal laws and regulations.C\n\nThe requirements of this section shall not apply to (i) the sale of eyeglasses not designed to correct or enhance vision by addressing the visual needs of the individual wearer and that may be known as over-the-counter eyeglasses or readers or (ii) a licensed optician providing services in accordance with &#xA7; 54.1-1509.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to ophthalmic prescriptions written prior to July 1, 2017.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":211334,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Contact lens&#8221; means any lens that is placed directly on the surface of the eye, whether or not the lens is intended to correct a visual defect, including any cosmetic, therapeutic, or corrective contact lens.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Ophthalmic prescription&#8221; means a handwritten or electronic order of a provider that includes (i) in the case of contact lenses, all information required by the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, 15 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 7601 et seq., (ii) in the case of prescription eyeglasses, all information required by the Ophthalmic Practice Rule, also known as the Eyeglass Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 456, and (iii) necessary and appropriate information for the dispensing of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses for a patient, including the provider&#8217;s name, physical address at which the provider practices, and telephone number.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Provider&#8221; means an ophthalmologist licensed by the Board of Medicine pursuant to Chapter 29 (&#xA7; 54.1-2900 et seq.) or an optometrist licensed by the Board of Optometry pursuant to Chapter 32 (&#xA7; 54.1-3200 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":211335,"text":"For the purpose of a provider prescribing spectacles, eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses to a patient, a provider shall establish a bona fide provider-patient relationship by an examination (i) in person, (ii) through face-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communication, or (iii) store-and-forward technologies when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the provider obtains an updated medical history at the time of prescribing; (b) the provider makes a diagnosis at the time of prescribing; (c) the provider conforms to the standard of care expected of in-person care as appropriate to the patient&#8217;s age and presenting condition, including when the standard of care requires the use of diagnostic testing and performance of a physical examination, which may be carried out through the use of peripheral devices appropriate to the patient&#8217;s condition; (d) the ophthalmic prescription is not determined solely by use of an online questionnaire; (e) the provider is actively licensed in the Commonwealth and authorized to prescribe; and (f) upon request, the prescriber provides patient records in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; 32.1-127.1:03 and all other state and federal laws and regulations.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":211336,"text":"The requirements of this section shall not apply to (i) the sale of eyeglasses not designed to correct or enhance vision by addressing the visual needs of the individual wearer and that may be known as over-the-counter eyeglasses or readers or (ii) a licensed optician providing services in accordance with &#xA7; 54.1-1509.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":211337,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to ophthalmic prescriptions written prior to July 1, 2017.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14778,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"24","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:51","permalink":{"id":241107,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14778,"identifier":"24","token":"54.1\/III\/24","url":"\/54.1\/III\/24\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65440,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400","catch_line":"General powers and duties of health regulatory boards","url":"\/54.1-2400\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400","metadata":false},{"id":83001,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.01","catch_line":"Certain definition","url":"\/54.1-2400.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.01","metadata":false},{"id":72970,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.01:1","catch_line":"Surgery defined; who may perform surgery","url":"\/54.1-2400.01_1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.01_1","metadata":false},{"id":57686,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.01:2","catch_line":"Ophthalmic prescription defined; who may provide ophthalmic prescriptions","url":"\/54.1-2400.01_2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.01_2","metadata":false},{"id":63751,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.02","catch_line":"Information concerning health professionals; posting of addresses on the Internet; providing personal information under certain circumstances prohibited; collection of address information from health professionals","url":"\/54.1-2400.02\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.02","metadata":false},{"id":64184,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.03","catch_line":"Health regulatory boards to report information concerning health professionals to the Department of Health; Eligible Health Care Provider Reserve Directory","url":"\/54.1-2400.03\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.03","metadata":false},{"id":69157,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.1","catch_line":"Mental health service providers; duty to protect third parties; immunity","url":"\/54.1-2400.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.1","metadata":false},{"id":63038,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.2","catch_line":"Confidentiality of information obtained during an investigation or disciplinary proceeding; penalty","url":"\/54.1-2400.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.2","metadata":false},{"id":87116,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.3","catch_line":"Disciplinary actions to be reported","url":"\/54.1-2400.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.3","metadata":false},{"id":64053,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.4","catch_line":"Mental health service providers duty to inform; immunity; civil penalty","url":"\/54.1-2400.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.4","metadata":false},{"id":56556,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.5","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2400.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.5","metadata":false},{"id":58137,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.6","catch_line":"Hospitals, other health care institutions, home health and hospice organizations, and assisted living facilities required to report disciplinary actions against and certain disorders of health professionals; immunity from liability; failure to report","url":"\/54.1-2400.6\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.6","metadata":false},{"id":61914,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.7","catch_line":"Practitioners treating other practitioners for certain disorders to make reports; immunity from liability","url":"\/54.1-2400.7\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.7","metadata":false},{"id":72426,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.8","catch_line":"Immunity for reporting","url":"\/54.1-2400.8\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.8","metadata":false},{"id":66286,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.9","catch_line":"Reporting disabilities of drivers","url":"\/54.1-2400.9\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.9","metadata":false},{"id":81191,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2401","catch_line":"Monetary penalty","url":"\/54.1-2401\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2401","metadata":false},{"id":58836,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2402","catch_line":"Citizen members on health regulatory boards","url":"\/54.1-2402\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2402","metadata":false},{"id":59518,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2402.1","catch_line":"Appointments, removals, and limitation of terms of members of regulatory boards","url":"\/54.1-2402.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2402.1","metadata":false},{"id":62497,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2403","catch_line":"Certain advertising prohibited","url":"\/54.1-2403\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2403","metadata":false},{"id":81381,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2403.01","catch_line":"Routine component of prenatal care","url":"\/54.1-2403.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2403.01","metadata":false},{"id":65605,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2403.02","catch_line":"Prenatal education; cord blood banking","url":"\/54.1-2403.02\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2403.02","metadata":false},{"id":83187,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2403.1","catch_line":"Protocol for certain medical history screening required","url":"\/54.1-2403.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2403.1","metadata":false},{"id":62453,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2403.2","catch_line":"Record storage","url":"\/54.1-2403.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2403.2","metadata":false},{"id":79452,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2403.3","catch_line":"Medical records; ownership; provision of copies","url":"\/54.1-2403.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2403.3","metadata":false},{"id":59177,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2404","catch_line":"Itemized statements required upon request","url":"\/54.1-2404\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2404","metadata":false},{"id":75820,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2404.1","catch_line":"Patient records","url":"\/54.1-2404.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2404.1","metadata":false},{"id":77933,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2404.2","catch_line":"Health care providers; disclosure of records; actions for which an authorization is not required","url":"\/54.1-2404.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2404.2","metadata":false},{"id":74920,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2405","catch_line":"Transfer of patient records in conjunction with closure, sale, or relocation of practice; notice required","url":"\/54.1-2405\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2405","metadata":false},{"id":58800,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2406","catch_line":"Treatment records of practitioners","url":"\/54.1-2406\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2406","metadata":false},{"id":73269,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2407","catch_line":"Requirements for human research","url":"\/54.1-2407\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2407","metadata":false},{"id":65565,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2408","catch_line":"Disqualification for license, certificate or registration","url":"\/54.1-2408\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2408","metadata":false},{"id":62891,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2408.01","catch_line":"Prior convictions not to abridge rights","url":"\/54.1-2408.01\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2408.01","metadata":false},{"id":74983,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2408.1","catch_line":"Summary action against licenses, certificates, registrations, or multistate licensure privilege; allegations to be in writing","url":"\/54.1-2408.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2408.1","metadata":false},{"id":75296,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2408.2","catch_line":"Minimum period for reinstatement after revocation","url":"\/54.1-2408.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2408.2","metadata":false},{"id":64692,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2408.3","catch_line":"Practice pending appeal","url":"\/54.1-2408.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2408.3","metadata":false},{"id":70912,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2408.4","catch_line":"Temporary authorization to practice","url":"\/54.1-2408.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2408.4","metadata":false},{"id":74205,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409","catch_line":"Mandatory suspension or revocation; reinstatement; hearing for reinstatement","url":"\/54.1-2409\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409","metadata":false},{"id":60525,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.1","catch_line":"Criminal penalties for practicing certain professions and occupations without appropriate licensure, certificate, etc","url":"\/54.1-2409.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.1","metadata":false},{"id":85564,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.1:1","catch_line":"Interjurisdictional compacts; criminal history record checks","url":"\/54.1-2409.1_1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":61737,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-2409.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.2","metadata":false},{"id":75305,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.3","catch_line":"Participation of advisory boards in disciplinary proceedings","url":"\/54.1-2409.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.3","metadata":false},{"id":69480,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.4","catch_line":"Authority to receive laboratory results directly","url":"\/54.1-2409.4\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.4","metadata":false},{"id":76039,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.5","catch_line":"Conversion therapy prohibited","url":"\/54.1-2409.5\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.5","metadata":false},{"id":57334,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2409.6","catch_line":"Recommendation for Continuing education for certain licensees","url":"\/54.1-2409.6\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2409.6","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72970,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.01:1","catch_line":"Surgery defined; who may perform surgery","url":"\/54.1-2400.01_1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.01_1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":63751,"structure_id":14778,"section_number":"54.1-2400.02","catch_line":"Information concerning health professionals; posting of addresses on the Internet; providing personal information under certain circumstances prohibited; collection of address information from health professionals","url":"\/54.1-2400.02\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.02","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-2400.01:2\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?171+ful+CHAP0169\">169<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?171+ful+CHAP0184\">184<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":58930,"section_number":"32.1-127.1:03","catch_line":"Health records privacy","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-127.1_03\/"},{"id":63078,"section_number":"54.1-2900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2900\/"},{"id":84550,"section_number":"54.1-3200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3200\/"}],"permalink":{"id":241121,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57686,"identifier":"54.1-2400.01:2","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.01_2","url":"\/54.1-2400.01_2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-2400.01_2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/24\/54.1-2400.01_2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Ophthalmic prescription defined; who may provide ophthalmic prescriptions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-2400.01:2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Contact lens<\/span>&#8221; means any lens that is placed directly on the surface of the eye, whether or not the lens is intended to correct a visual defect, including any cosmetic, therapeutic, or corrective <span class=\"dictionary\">contact lens<\/span>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Ophthalmic prescription<\/span>&#8221; means a handwritten or electronic <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> of a <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> that includes (i) in the case of contact lenses, all information required by the Fairness to <span class=\"dictionary\">Contact Lens<\/span> Consumers Act, 15 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 7601 et seq., (ii) in the case of prescription eyeglasses, all information required by the Ophthalmic Practice Rule, also known as the Eyeglass Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 456, and (iii) necessary and appropriate information for the dispensing of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses for a patient, including the <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span>&#8217;s name, physical address at which the <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> practices, and telephone number.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Provider<\/span>&#8221; means an ophthalmologist licensed by the Board of Medicine pursuant to Chapter 29 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/54.1-2900\/\">54.1-2900<\/a> et seq.) or an optometrist licensed by the Board of Optometry pursuant to Chapter 32 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/54.1-3200\/\">54.1-3200<\/a> et seq.). <a id=\"paragraph-211334\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2400.01_2\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> For the purpose of a <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> prescribing spectacles, eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses to a patient, a <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> shall establish a bona fide <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span>-patient relationship by an examination (i) in person, (ii) through face-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communication, or (iii) store-and-forward technologies when all of the following conditions are met: (a) the <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> obtains an updated medical history at the time of prescribing; (b) the <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> makes a diagnosis at the time of prescribing; (c) the <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> conforms to the standard of care expected of in-person care as appropriate to the patient&#8217;s age and presenting condition, including when the standard of care requires the use of diagnostic testing and performance of a physical examination, which may be carried out through the use of peripheral devices appropriate to the patient&#8217;s condition; (d) the <span class=\"dictionary\">ophthalmic prescription<\/span> is not determined solely by use of an online questionnaire; (e) the <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> is actively licensed in the Commonwealth and authorized to prescribe; and (f) upon request, the prescriber provides patient records in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Health records privacy\" href=\"\/32.1-127.1_03\/\">32.1-127.1:03<\/a> and all other state and federal <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> and regulations. <a id=\"paragraph-211335\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2400.01_2\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The requirements of this section shall not apply to (i) the sale of eyeglasses not designed to correct or enhance vision by addressing the visual needs of the individual wearer and that may be known as over-the-counter eyeglasses or readers or (ii) a licensed optician providing services in accordance with &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Permissible practices\" href=\"\/54.1-1509\/\">54.1-1509<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-211336\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2400.01_2\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to <span class=\"dictionary\">ophthalmic prescriptions<\/span> written prior to July 1, 2017. <a id=\"paragraph-211337\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/54.1-2400.01_2\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOPHTHALMIC PRESCRIPTION DEFINED; WHO MAY PROVIDE OPHTHALMIC PRESCRIPTIONS (\u00a7\n54.1-2400.01:2)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Contact lens&#8221; means any lens that is placed directly on the\nsurface of the eye, whether or not the lens is intended to correct a visual\ndefect, including any cosmetic, therapeutic, or corrective contact lens.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Ophthalmic prescription&#8221; means a handwritten or electronic order\nof a provider that includes (i) in the case of contact lenses, all information\nrequired by the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, 15 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7;\n7601 et seq., (ii) in the case of prescription eyeglasses, all information\nrequired by the Ophthalmic Practice Rule, also known as the Eyeglass Rule, 16\nC.F.R. Part 456, and (iii) necessary and appropriate information for the\ndispensing of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses for a patient, including\nthe provider&#8217;s name, physical address at which the provider practices, and\ntelephone number.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Provider&#8221; means an ophthalmologist licensed by the Board of\nMedicine pursuant to Chapter 29 (&#xA7; 54.1-2900 et seq.) or an optometrist\nlicensed by the Board of Optometry pursuant to Chapter 32 (&#xA7; 54.1-3200 et\nseq.).\n\nB. For the purpose of a provider prescribing spectacles, eyeglasses, lenses, or\ncontact lenses to a patient, a provider shall establish a bona fide\nprovider-patient relationship by an examination (i) in person, (ii) through\nface-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communication, or (iii)\nstore-and-forward technologies when all of the following conditions are met: (a)\nthe provider obtains an updated medical history at the time of prescribing; (b)\nthe provider makes a diagnosis at the time of prescribing; (c) the provider\nconforms to the standard of care expected of in-person care as appropriate to\nthe patient&#8217;s age and presenting condition, including when the standard of\ncare requires the use of diagnostic testing and performance of a physical\nexamination, which may be carried out through the use of peripheral devices\nappropriate to the patient&#8217;s condition; (d) the ophthalmic prescription is\nnot determined solely by use of an online questionnaire; (e) the provider is\nactively licensed in the Commonwealth and authorized to prescribe; and (f) upon\nrequest, the prescriber provides patient records in a timely manner in\naccordance with the provisions of &#xA7; 32.1-127.1:03 and all other state and\nfederal laws and regulations.\n\nC. The requirements of this section shall not apply to (i) the sale of\neyeglasses not designed to correct or enhance vision by addressing the visual\nneeds of the individual wearer and that may be known as over-the-counter\neyeglasses or readers or (ii) a licensed optician providing services in\naccordance with &#xA7; 54.1-1509.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not apply to ophthalmic prescriptions\nwritten prior to July 1, 2017.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, cc. 169, 184.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}