P.R. Laws tit. 20, § 2751
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below:
(a) Optician. — A person engaged in the preparation of focused or unfocused ophthalmic lenses, eyeglasses, spectacles or accessories thereof, by means of a written prescription issued by ophthalmologists or optometrists duly authorized to practice their profession, and considering that such written prescription measures the facial contour of the patient or client, and grinds, polish cut and set opthalmic lenses, prescribed by the ophthalmologist or optometrist to determine the size and shape of the setting and lenses that suits best the physical needs of such person. He/she also makes copies, repairs and duplicates of the lenses without need of a new prescription.
(b) Optics laboratory technician. — A person engaged in the engraving, polishing, cutting and setting of ophthalmic lenses, but who is not qualified to run an optical shop where persons in possession of a prescription from an ophthalmologist doctor [sic] or optometrist are taken care of.
(c) Board. — Refers to the Board of Examiners of Opticians of Puerto Rico.
(d) Revalidation examination. — Shall mean the qualifying test that measures the level of knowledge, aptitudes and skills to practice the profession of optician in Puerto Rico.
(e) Recertification. — Shall mean the procedure provided for the health professions in §§ 3001 et seq. of Title 24.
(f) Executive Secretary. — Shall refer to the Executive Secretary of the Board of Examiners Division.
(g) Practice of optics. — Any natural or [juridical] person shall be deemed to be practicing the profession of optics who advertises himself/herself as engaged in making focused or unfocused opthalmic lenses, spectacles, eyeglasses, or duplicates of lenses or of eyeglasses, measuring the facial contour of the patient or client who has the prescription from the ophthalmologist doctor or optometrist to determine the size and shape of the setting and lenses that suits best the needs of said patient or client and grinding, polishing, cutting and setting ophthalmic lenses, or opening or running an optical shop, establishment, or office or shop and complying with that purpose; Provided, however, That any shop, optical shop, establishment or office complying with the provisions and regulations of this chapter may advertise and sell to the public spectacles and or eyeglasses with focused or unfocused opthalmic lenses.
Nothing provided herein shall be construed as:
(1) Empowering the optician to present or offer to deal by any means or method to examine the eyes, to diagnose, treat, correct, cure, operate or prescribe for any type of disease or deficiency or physical condition in the sight.
(2) Limiting or restricting the exercise of ophthalmology or optometry. Provided, however, That no physician, ophthalmologist or oculist may engage in the practice of optics or sale of spectacles, directly or indirectly, nor may recommend to the patient a specific optical shop for the preparation of his/her prescription, when he/she is going to obtain an economic benefit for said recommendation unless he/she may have working in his/her office a graduate optician duly authorized by the Board of Examiners of Opticians of Puerto Rico.
History —June 3, 1976, No. 152, p. 448, § 1; Sept. 1, 1990, No. 82, p. 484, § 1.