ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: HIPAA's Privacy Rule applies to optical dispensaries primarily because they are considered:
- Financial institutions handling billing data
- Covered entities that transmit health information electronically (Correct answer)
- Retail businesses subject to FTC oversight
- ABO-certified providers
Correct answer: Covered entities that transmit health information electronically
Optical dispensaries are HIPAA covered entities when they transmit patient health information electronically, such as for insurance billing.
Question 2: A patient asks an optician to send their prescription to a competitor optical shop. Under HIPAA, the optician must:
- Decline, as releasing records to competitors violates HIPAA
- Comply, as it is a patient-directed disclosure (Correct answer)
- Require a court order before releasing any records
- Consult the prescribing physician first
Correct answer: Comply, as it is a patient-directed disclosure
HIPAA's Privacy Rule allows patients to direct their covered entity to disclose their protected health information to a third party of the patient's choosing.
Question 3: Under ANSI Z80.1, the allowable axis tolerance for a lens with a cylinder power of -0.50 DC is:
- ±2 degrees
- ±3 degrees
- ±7 degrees
- ±14 degrees (Correct answer)
Correct answer: ±14 degrees
ANSI Z80.1 allows ±14 degrees axis tolerance for cylinder powers of 0.25 to 0.50 DC.
Question 4: Which ABO standard governs the minimum requirements for ophthalmic frames sold in the United States?
- ANSI Z80.1
- ANSI Z80.5 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z87.1
- ANSI Z80.3
Correct answer: ANSI Z80.5
ANSI Z80.5 establishes requirements for ophthalmic frames, including physical performance and marking requirements.
Question 5: A lens prescription reads: +1.00 -0.75 x 180. Under ANSI Z80.1, the minimum acceptable axis reading would be:
- 166 degrees
- 170 degrees
- 173 degrees (Correct answer)
- 177 degrees
Correct answer: 173 degrees
For a cylinder power between 0.75 and 1.50 DC, ANSI Z80.1 allows ±7 degrees axis tolerance, so 180 - 7 = 173 degrees minimum.
Question 6: Which federal law prohibits optical dispensaries from discriminating against patients with disabilities in providing services?
- HIPAA
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- FTC Act
- Occupational Safety and Health Act
Correct answer: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation, including optical dispensaries, to provide equal access to services for individuals with disabilities.
Question 7: The FDA classifies prescription ophthalmic lenses as:
- Class I medical devices (general controls)
- Class II medical devices (special controls) (Correct answer)
- Class III medical devices (premarket approval)
- Prescription drugs requiring an NDA
Correct answer: Class II medical devices (special controls)
Prescription ophthalmic lenses are classified as Class II medical devices subject to special controls, including the impact-resistance requirement.
ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards 4
HIPAA's Privacy Rule applies to optical dispensaries primarily because they are considered: