ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Contact Lens Rule requires that contact lens prescriptions be released to the patient. How long must a contact lens prescription remain valid at minimum, per FTC rules?
- 6 months
- 1 year (Correct answer)
- 2 years
- Until the patient's next exam
Correct answer: 1 year
The FTC Contact Lens Rule requires that prescriptions be valid for at least one year from the date of the fitting, unless a shorter period is medically justified.
Question 2: Under FDA regulations, impact-resistant lenses are required for all prescription ophthalmic lenses EXCEPT:
- Lenses for patients under 18
- Lenses that the prescriber determines are not in the patient's best interest (Correct answer)
- Polycarbonate lenses
- Lenses dispensed via mail order
Correct answer: Lenses that the prescriber determines are not in the patient's best interest
FDA 21 CFR 801.410 requires impact resistance but permits an exemption when the prescriber determines impact-resistant lenses are not in the patient's best interest and documents it.
Question 3: Which regulation requires that finished prescription eyewear lenses pass a drop-ball test using a 5/8-inch steel ball dropped from 50 inches?
- ANSI Z80.1
- FTC Eyeglass Rule
- FDA 21 CFR 801.410 (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1910.133
Correct answer: FDA 21 CFR 801.410
FDA 21 CFR 801.410 establishes the drop-ball test as the standard for impact resistance for prescription ophthalmic lenses.
Question 4: When a dispensary employee is exposed to a communicable disease through a patient encounter, which regulatory framework primarily governs the employer's obligations?
- ANSI Z87.1
- OSHA General Duty Clause (Correct answer)
- FTC Health Breach Notification Rule
- ANSI Z80.3
Correct answer: OSHA General Duty Clause
OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards, including communicable disease exposure risks.
Question 5: A state law requires opticians to hold an associate degree for licensure. A federal law requires only a high school diploma and passing a national exam. Which applies?
- Federal law, because it supersedes state requirements
- State law, because states can set higher minimums (Correct answer)
- Neither; the ABO sets all licensing requirements
- The FTC, which arbitrates between state and federal rules
Correct answer: State law, because states can set higher minimums
States have the authority to set professional licensing requirements higher than any federal minimum, so the stricter state standard would apply.
Question 6: Under ANSI Z80.1, what is the allowed cylinder power tolerance for a lens prescribed at -2.00 DC?
- ±0.06 D
- ±0.12 D (Correct answer)
- ±0.13 D
- ±0.18 D
Correct answer: ±0.12 D
ANSI Z80.1 permits ±0.12 D cylinder power tolerance for cylinder powers up to 2.00 D.
Question 7: Which document must be posted in an optical dispensary to comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard?
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals (Correct answer)
- Current ANSI Z80.1 tolerance tables
- FTC Eyeglass Rule patient rights notice
- Licensure certificates for all opticians
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires Safety Data Sheets to be accessible for all hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.
ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards 3
The Contact Lens Rule requires that contact lens prescriptions be released to the patient.
How long must a contact lens prescription remain valid at minimum, per FTC rules?