Whenever visual or optometric services within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed optometrist are included in any program, financed with public funds or administered by any public agency, for aid to the indigent, the aged, the legally blind, or any other group or class, the recipient of the aid shall be entitled to choose whether the services are to be performed by a duly licensed physician or by a duly licensed optometrist. Visual or optometric services as used herein include eye and/or visual examination or a correction of any vision or muscular anomaly and the supplying of ophthalmic materials, including contact lenses and subnormal vision aids.