ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Ophthalmic Laws and Regulations Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The ANSI Z80.1 standard for prescription ophthalmic lenses is important in opticianry primarily because it:
- Sets fees opticians may charge for lenses
- Establishes lens power and optical tolerances for finished eyeglasses (Correct answer)
- Regulates how prescriptions must be written by optometrists
- Defines continuing education requirements for opticians
Correct answer: Establishes lens power and optical tolerances for finished eyeglasses
ANSI Z80.1 defines the tolerances for lens power, prism, optical center placement, and other optical properties of finished spectacles.
Question 2: A patient presents an eyeglass prescription that is 2.5 years old. The optician's ethical and legal obligation is to:
- Refuse to fill it as all prescriptions expire after 1 year federally
- Fill it without question since federal law imposes no expiration
- Check the state law, which may set expiration periods, and advise the patient accordingly (Correct answer)
- Require a new exam before filling any prescription over 1 year old
Correct answer: Check the state law, which may set expiration periods, and advise the patient accordingly
Prescription expiration periods for eyeglasses are set by state law, so the optician must know and apply the specific rule in their state.
Question 3: Under the FTC Contact Lens Rule, a contact lens seller must verify a prescription. Passive verification (no response from prescriber within 8 business hours) means the seller may:
- Cancel the order and inform the patient
- Wait indefinitely for a response
- Fill the order as if the prescription were verified (Correct answer)
- Request a second verification from another doctor
Correct answer: Fill the order as if the prescription were verified
The rule allows passive verification: if the prescriber does not respond within 8 business hours, the seller may proceed to fill the order.
Question 4: Which of the following actions by an optician would most likely violate OSHA regulations in an optical laboratory?
- Using polycarbonate lenses for rimless frames
- Grinding lenses without proper eye protection or ventilation (Correct answer)
- Adjusting frames without a written work order
- Charging for a contact lens fitting
Correct answer: Grinding lenses without proper eye protection or ventilation
OSHA requires appropriate personal protective equipment and engineering controls (like ventilation) when grinding lenses to protect workers from flying debris and dust.
Question 5: A state law requires opticians to complete 20 hours of continuing education every 2 years for license renewal. An optician who fails to meet this requirement faces:
- A written warning only for the first offense
- Automatic license revocation with no appeal
- Possible non-renewal or suspension of their license (Correct answer)
- No consequences if they have practiced for over 10 years
Correct answer: Possible non-renewal or suspension of their license
Failure to meet continuing education requirements typically results in the state board denying license renewal or suspending the license.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the scope of practice difference between an optician and an optometrist?
- Opticians may perform refractions; optometrists may not dispense eyewear
- Optometrists may perform eye exams and write prescriptions; opticians may not (Correct answer)
- Both opticians and optometrists are authorized to diagnose eye disease
- Opticians may prescribe corrective lenses but not contact lenses
Correct answer: Optometrists may perform eye exams and write prescriptions; opticians may not
Optometrists are licensed to examine eyes, diagnose conditions, and write prescriptions, while opticians are licensed to interpret and fill those prescriptions.
Question 7: FDA impact resistance requirements for dress ophthalmic lenses mandate that lenses must pass a drop ball test using a steel ball of what size?
- 5/8 inch diameter
- 1 inch diameter (Correct answer)
- 1.25 inch diameter
- 2 inch diameter
Correct answer: 1 inch diameter
The FDA requires dress lenses to withstand the impact of a 1-inch steel ball dropped from 50 inches to meet minimum impact resistance standards.
ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Ophthalmic Laws and Regulations Questions and Answers 3
The ANSI Z80.1 standard for prescription ophthalmic lenses is important in opticianry primarily because it: