Optometry; unauthorized practice, unlawful.

It shall be unlawful for any person to practice optometry or to append the letters "O.D." or any other optometric degree to a person's name with the intent thereby to imply that the individual is a practitioner of optometry, without first securing and holding an unrevoked and unsuspended license under and as provided in this chapter. This chapter shall not:

(1) Apply to, or prohibit, a duly licensed physician from practicing optometry as defined in this chapter;

(2) Prohibit a duly licensed physician or optometrist from filling prescriptions or orders;

(3) Prohibit the replacement, duplication, or repair of ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, or frames, or fittings thereof, by persons qualified to write or fill prescriptions or orders under this chapter;

(4) Prohibit or prevent any dispensing optician licensed under chapter 458 from performing the activities authorized by the license; or

(5) Apply to optometric service corporations formed for the primary purpose of contracting with individuals, groups of individuals, and corporations for defraying or assuming the cost of services of optometrists and of contracting on behalf of optometrists to furnish services as provided in chapter 424. [L 1949, c 58, §1(2); RL 1955, §68-2; am L 1965, c 84, §1; HRS §459-2; am L 1985, c 224, §2; am L 1987, c 300, §16; am L 2021, c 230, §19]