Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1998)
Optometry means the science and art of examining the human eye, analyzing the ocular function, and prescribing ophthalmic lenses, prisms, contact lenses, ocular exercises, visual training, orthoptics, prosthetics, and other preventive or corrective measures for the aid, correction, or relief of the human eye, or to insure maximum vision and comfort, without the use of drugs or medicines.
An optometrist is a person legally qualified to practice optometry under Republic Act No. 1998.
No person shall practice or attempt to practice optometry without holding a valid certificate of registration as an optometrist issued by the Board of Examiners in Optometry.
Optometrists of good moral character registered under the previous laws within one year from the Act's effectivity, optometrists in the service of the United States Armed Forces stationed in the Philippines while rendering services for members of the said armed forces, and regularly licensed and registered physicians in the Philippines as certified by the Philippine Board of Medical Examiners are exempted.
The Board is composed of three members, one designated as chairman, appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service, among qualified optometrists of recognized standing and having practiced for at least ten years.
The Board administers the provisions of the Act, issues, suspends, revokes certificates of registration, investigates violations, adopts necessary measures for maintaining ethics and standards, administers oaths, and oversees examinations.
Each member must be a Filipino citizen and resident, at least 30 years old, of good moral character, a graduate in optometry with at least 10 years of practice, a registered optometrist (except first appointees), and not currently or recently a faculty member of any optometry school.
A fine of not less than 500 pesos nor more than 2,000 pesos, or imprisonment from 1 month to 2 years, or both, may be imposed for unauthorized practice or representing oneself as a licensed optometrist.
The examination covers all subjects of optometry including mathematics, general chemistry, optics, psychology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical optometry, orthoptics, ethics, economics, jurisprudence, and sanitation.
The Act takes effect upon approval, except for specified sections concerning practice and penalties, which take effect one year thereafter.