Section 2544.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an assistant in any setting where optometry or ophthalmology is practiced who is acting under the direct responsibility and supervision of a physician and surgeon or optometrist may fit prescription lenses. Under the direct responsibility and supervision of an ophthalmologist or optometrist, an assistant in any setting where optometry or ophthalmology is practiced may also do the following:

(1) Prepare patients for examination.

(2) Collect preliminary patient data, including taking a patient history.

(3) Perform simple noninvasive testing of visual acuity, pupils, and ocular motility.

(4) Perform automated visual field testing.

(5) Perform ophthalmic photography and digital imaging.

(6) Perform tonometry.

(7) Perform lensometry.

(8) Perform nonsubjective auto refraction in connection with subjective refraction procedures performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

(9) Administer cycloplegiacs, mydriatics, and topical anesthetics that are not controlled substances, for ophthalmic purposes.

(10) Perform pachymetry, keratometry, A scans, B scans, and electrodiagnostic testing.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "setting" includes, but is not limited to, any facility licensed by the State Department of Public Health or the State Department of Social Services.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize activities that corporations and other artificial legal entities are prohibited from conducting by Section 2400.

(Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 604, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2011.)