Add a requirement for an optometrist to provide a patient’s pupillary distance as measured by the optometrist to the patient upon request.

In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Register of Regulations and will be published on April 4, 2016.  Comment on the petition may be sent by email, regular mail or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov; comment will be requested until May 4, 2016.

 Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language.  This matter will be on the Board’s agenda for its next meeting scheduled for July 15, 2016, and the petitioner will be informed of the Board’s decision after that meeting.

The Board decided to take no action on the petition for rulemaking because the measurement of pupillary distance is not required for an eye examination.  Therefore, it would not be appropriate for regulations to require an optometrist to furnish the patient's pupillary distance upon request by a patient.  The pupillary distance is part of the fitting for eye glasses and is typically performed by an optician.If an optometrist chooses to measure pupillary distance as part of an eye examination, such information would be part of the medical record, a copy of which can be requested by a patient.