(a) If, while providing optometric services to a patient, an optometrist or diagnostically certified optometrist detects or diagnoses an active eye pathology which the optometrist is not licensed or certified to treat under § 11-404 or § 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

(1) An ophthalmologist or a therapeutically certified optometrist, as appropriate;

(2) The patient’s physician;

(3) A physician if required under a managed care contract; or

(4) A hospital emergency room or ambulatory surgical center if necessary.

(b) If, while providing optometric services to a patient, a therapeutically certified optometrist diagnoses an active eye pathology that the optometrist is not certified to treat under § 11-404.2 of this subtitle, the optometrist shall refer the patient to:

(1) An ophthalmologist;

(2) The patient’s physician;

(3) A physician if required under a managed care contract; or

(4) A hospital emergency room if necessary.