ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A state with 'title only' opticianry laws means that:
- Only licensed individuals may perform any optical work in the state
- Only the title 'optician' is restricted, but the work may be performed by unlicensed individuals (Correct answer)
- Opticians must hold both ABO and NCLE certifications
- Opticians are exempt from all federal regulations
Correct answer: Only the title 'optician' is restricted, but the work may be performed by unlicensed individuals
Title-only protection laws restrict who may call themselves an 'optician' but do not prohibit unlicensed persons from performing optical dispensing work.
Question 2: Under ANSI Z80.1, the prism tolerance for a finished single-vision lens with no prescribed prism is:
- 0.25Δ per eye
- 0.33Δ per eye
- 0.50Δ per eye (Correct answer)
- 1.00Δ per eye
Correct answer: 0.50Δ per eye
ANSI Z80.1 allows up to 0.50 prism diopters of unwanted induced prism per lens when no prism is prescribed.
Question 3: When an optician discovers that a lens does not meet ANSI Z80.1 tolerances, the appropriate course of action is to:
- Dispense the lenses and note the deviation in the patient file
- Remake or replace the lenses before dispensing (Correct answer)
- Obtain patient signature acknowledging the deviation
- Submit a variance request to the FDA
Correct answer: Remake or replace the lenses before dispensing
Lenses outside ANSI tolerances must be remade or replaced; dispensing out-of-tolerance lenses exposes the patient to visual harm and the optician to liability.
Question 4: The FCLCA applies specifically to which type of prescriptions?
- Spectacle eyeglass prescriptions only
- Contact lens prescriptions only (Correct answer)
- Both spectacle and contact lens prescriptions
- Prescription sunglasses only
Correct answer: Contact lens prescriptions only
The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act applies exclusively to contact lens prescriptions, while the FTC Eyeglass Rule covers spectacle prescriptions.
Question 5: Which classification does the FDA assign to most finished prescription spectacle lenses?
- Class I medical device (Correct answer)
- Class II medical device
- Class III medical device
- Non-device consumer product
Correct answer: Class I medical device
The FDA classifies most finished prescription spectacle lenses as Class I medical devices, subject to general controls including impact resistance requirements.
Question 6: An optician in a licensed state allows an unlicensed employee to independently fit and dispense eyeglasses to patients. This action most likely constitutes:
- Acceptable delegation under supervision rules
- Aiding and abetting unlicensed practice (Correct answer)
- A minor administrative infraction only
- Permitted under FTC Eyeglass Rule exemptions
Correct answer: Aiding and abetting unlicensed practice
Allowing an unlicensed individual to independently perform licensed acts can constitute aiding and abetting unlicensed practice, which is a violation of state law.
Question 7: The ABO recommends that opticians maintain their ABO certification through recertification every:
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 3 years
ABO-certified opticians must recertify every three years through continuing education or by retaking the examination.
ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Laws, Regulations, and Standards Questions and Answers 5
A state with 'title only' opticianry laws means that: