ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA), how long is a contact lens prescription valid by default if no expiration date is specified?
- 6 months
- 1 year (Correct answer)
- 2 years
- 3 years
Correct answer: 1 year
The FCLCA specifies a minimum validity of one year for contact lens prescriptions when no expiration date is stated.
Question 2: Which federal agency has primary authority over the labeling and safety standards for ophthalmic devices including spectacle lenses?
- FTC
- FDA (Correct answer)
- OSHA
- EPA
Correct answer: FDA
The FDA classifies spectacle lenses as medical devices and regulates their labeling and safety standards.
Question 3: ANSI Z80.1 sets tolerances for finished prescription spectacles. Which parameter has the strictest tolerance for high-powered lenses?
- Cylinder axis (Correct answer)
- Segment height
- Frame PD
- Bridge size
Correct answer: Cylinder axis
Cylinder axis tolerance tightens significantly as cylinder power increases, making it the most strictly controlled parameter for high-powered prescriptions.
Question 4: A patient requests a copy of their eyeglass prescription. Under FTC regulations, the prescriber must release the prescription:
- Only after a fee is paid
- Only if the patient is an existing customer
- Immediately at the end of the examination at no charge (Correct answer)
- Within 30 days of a written request
Correct answer: Immediately at the end of the examination at no charge
The FTC Eyeglass Rule requires prescribers to give patients their prescription immediately upon completion of the exam at no additional charge.
Question 5: Which ANSI standard specifically addresses the requirements for prescription ophthalmic lenses?
- ANSI Z87.1
- ANSI Z80.1 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z80.3
- ANSI Z80.5
Correct answer: ANSI Z80.1
ANSI Z80.1 covers the requirements and tolerances for prescription ophthalmic lenses dispensed in the United States.
Question 6: Under OSHA regulations, opticianry labs that use hazardous chemicals must provide employees with access to:
- Personal protective equipment only
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous materials (Correct answer)
- Written proof of chemical disposal
- Annual chemical exposure testing only
Correct answer: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous materials
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires that Safety Data Sheets be readily accessible to employees for every hazardous chemical in the workplace.
Question 7: A state requires opticians to complete continuing education to renew their license. This is an example of:
- Federal regulatory oversight
- Voluntary credentialing
- State licensure regulation (Correct answer)
- ABO certification requirements
Correct answer: State licensure regulation
Continuing education mandates tied to license renewal are a function of state licensure laws, which vary by state.
ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards Questions and Answers 2
Under the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA), how long is a contact lens prescription valid by default if no expiration date is specified?