Rule 30-2901-8.3 - Relationships of optometrists with dispensing opticians(a) The purpose of this section is to insure that the practices of optometry and therapeutic optometry shall be carried out in such a manner that they are completely and totally separated from the business of any dispensing optician, with no control of one by the other and no solicitation for one by the other, except as hereinafter set forth.(b) If an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist occupies space for the practice of optometry or therapeutic optometry in a building or premises in which any person, firm, or corporation engages in the business of a dispensing optician, the space occupied by the optometrist or therapeutic optometrist shall be separated from the space occupied by the dispensing optician by solid partitions or walls from floor to ceiling. The space occupied by the optometrist or therapeutic optometrist shall have a patient's entrance opening on a public street, hall, lobby, corridor, or other public thoroughfare.(c) An optometrist or therapeutic optometrist may engage in the business of a dispensing optician, own stock in a corporation engaged in the business of a dispensing optician, or be a partner in a firm engaged in the business of a dispensing optician, but the books, records, and accounts of the firm or corporation must be kept separate and distinct from the books, records, and accounts of the practice of the optometrist or therapeutic optometrist.(d) An optometrist shall not allow a person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of a dispensing optician, other than a licensed optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or physician, to have, own, or acquire any interest in the practice, books, records, files, equipment, or materials of a licensed optometrist or therapeutic optometrist, or have, own, or acquire any interest in the premises or space occupied by a licensed optometrist or therapeutic optometrist for the practice of optometry or therapeutic optometry other than a lease for a specific term without retention of the present right of occupancy on the part of the dispensing optician. In the event an optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or physician who is also engaged in the business of a dispensing optician (whether as an individual, firm, or corporation) does own an interest in the practice, books, records, files, equipment or materials of another licensed optometrist or therapeutic optometrist, he shall maintain a completely separate set of books, records, files, and accounts in connection therewith. Provided however, this shall not require an optometrist practicing under his own name and dispensing, repairing or duplicating lenses or frames in his own office as a part of his practice to maintain separate records.30 Miss. Code. R. 2901-8.3