MD's writing contact lens "Rx'" for family

[Andrea]

I was wondering if there was any protocol for this situation...and just what are y'alls opinions of this?

A couple came into my shop a few days ago and the manager waited on them. The hubby brings out an rx that reads EXACTLY as follows:
-4.00 U4
-4.00 U4
Baush & Lomb

Although it wasn't said outright, after a few questions it's determined that the man is a general practitioner and he wrote the RX for his wife. And yes, Bausch was spelled "Baush"...

Are there any "rules" against a doc who is not an optometrist or an ophthalmologist writing a CL RX, since it's not a narcotic?

I find it extremely irresponsible of someone in the health care profession to be so lax in the proper care of a loved ones eyes...

[chip anderson]

Any M.D. may write an Rx. for any medical proceedure or devise. When he does so, he becomes responsible for the filling and effects of the RX. Don't see your problem opticians were fitting contact lenses long before M.D.'s or O.D.'s. As long as you are filling an M.D.'s instructions you are covered, unless you are not contact lens competent. Of course since the Rx specified what lenses were to be used you don't have to be any more competent than reading the side of the damn bottle an hoping the good doctor knew what he was doing.

I hate Rx's even from eye specialists when they tell me what to fit. No one can know what fits until you find out how the eye reacts to it, long term and a lot of eye specialists seem to precribe lenses for in and out of house fitting by reading a chart and never looking to see what happens later, or expecting anyone else to check later.

[chip anderson]

Any M.D. may write an Rx. for any medical procedure or devise. When he does so, he becomes responsible for the filling and effects of the RX. Don't see your problem opticians were fitting contact lenses long before M.D.'s or O.D.'s. As long as you are filling an M.D.'s instructions you are covered, unless you are not contact lens competent. Of course since the Rx specified what lenses were to be used you don't have to be any more competent than reading the side of the damn bottle an hoping the good doctor knew what he was doing.

I hate Rx's even from eye specialists when they tell me what to fit. No one can know what fits until you find out how the eye reacts to it, long term and a lot of eye specialists seem to prescribe lenses for in and out of house fitting by reading a chart and never looking to see what happens later, or expecting anyone else to check later.

Besides a contact lens is probably one of the least dangerous things a doctor will precribe during the day. I mean we can get the big head about about how important our job is but even Linda Carter who can't tell one lens from another, can sell them now.

[Andrea]

In my neck of the woods, opticians don't fit CL's, just the docs and techs.

I figured the doctor could prescribe whatever he wants since he IS a doctor and I'm sure he just duplicated the old contact lens Rx, but I assume the wife isn't getting regular eye exams.

I'm also going to assume that my question was answered with good-natured sarcasm, not the biting arrogance that I first perceived...

[Matthew]

MD's can refract if they want to also. That's scary.

[Specs]

I he has an active M.D. license he can Rx for anything he wants including CL's. The M.D. stands for medical doctor, it doesn't say anything about his level of intelligence.

[Darris Chambless]

Hello Andrea,

An MD or DO (not OD) is an unrestricted license. They can legally write prescriptions where ever and whenever they want to.

Case in point he could have walked into your office sat down in your dispensory and said "This is my wife and she needs contact lenses." Then you ask for the prescription. He reaches into his pocket pulls out an Rx pad and an empty vial, copies down what's on the bottle signs it and hands it to you. It is a legal prescription and you can fill it without hesitation because he will be help liable if any problems should arise.

The only thing I would say is check to make sure they are a physician before you accept it :-)

Darris C.

[chip anderson]

I don't really understand the hassle here, you would be surprised how many M.D.'s offices (especially if the lad is cataract jockey) "fit" contact lenses by having the newest employee put the patient on the auto refractor and consult a chart for the "fit".
Send the patient out the door with lenses and brochure with no follow up and a brochure. Sometime the patients are told to "Take them out and put them in saline overnight if they start to bother you."

I've even heard of those that had to dust the retinascope when it was needed. I know it isn't right but it seems to becoming the norm.

Chip