A. As used in this section:

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(1)     “immediate follow-up care” is that period of contact lens fitting time required to determine a contact lens prescription that is appropriate to the documented clinical needs of the patient; and

(2)     “replacement contact lens prescription” means a prescription prepared by a licensed optometrist containing the information specified in this section and written expressly for the purpose of providing lenses that have already been properly fitted.

B. A licensed optometrist shall ensure that each replacement contact lens prescription that the licensed optometrist prescribes for contact lenses:

(1)     contains all the information necessary for the replacement contact lens prescription to be properly dispensed, including the:

(a) lens manufacturer; (b) type of lens;

(c) power of the lens; (d) base curve;

(e) lens size;

(f) name of the patient;

(g) date the prescription was given to the patient;

(h) name and office location of the licensed optometrist who writes the replacement contact lens prescription; and

(i) expiration date of the replacement contact lens prescription; and

(2)     is reduced to writing and placed in the patient’s permanent file.

C. After a licensed optometrist releases the patient from immediate follow-up care, the patient may request a replacement contact lens prescription from the licensed optometrist. The request shall be in writing and signed by the patient, and shall be retained in the patient’s file for at least five years. If, after examination, the patient’s prescription has not changed since the last examination and there are no ocular concerns, a licensed optometrist shall, upon request of the patient, provide the patient’s replacement contact lens prescription to the patient without cost to the patient and without requiring the patient to purchase contact lenses.

D. In responding to a patient’s request pursuant to Subsection C of this section, a licensed optometrist shall transmit the replacement contact lens prescription by mail, telephone, facsimile, e-mail or any other means of communication that will, under normal circumstances, result in the patient receiving the information within a reasonable time.

E. The replacement contact lens prescription that a licensed optometrist provides a patient:

(1)     shall contain the information necessary for the proper duplication of the current prescription of the patient;

(2)     shall contain, subject to the provisions of Subsection F of this section, an expiration date for the replacement contact lens prescription of not more than twenty- four months from the time the patient was first examined; and

(3)     may contain wearing guidelines or specific instructions for use of the contact lenses by the patient, or both.

F. The licensed optometrist shall enter into the patient’s medical record the valid clinical reasons for a shorter expiration date and shall provide the patient with a written and oral explanation of the clinical reasons for a shorter expiration date.

G. When a patient’s prescription is dispensed by a person other than a licensed optometrist or a person associated directly or indirectly with the licensed optometrist, the licensed optometrist is not liable for any injury to or condition of a patient caused solely by the negligence of the dispenser.

H. A licensed optometrist who releases a replacement contact lens prescription to a patient may provide the patient with a written statement that wearing improperly fitted contact lenses may cause harm to the patient’s eyes and that the patient should have an eye examination if there are any changes in the patient’s vision, including pain or vision loss.

I. A licensed optometrist who fills or provides a contact lens prescription shall maintain a record of that prescription in accordance with rules promulgated by the board.

J. A person other than a licensed optometrist or physician who fills a contact lens prescription shall maintain a record of that prescription for five years.

K. The board may impose a civil fine of no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) on a licensed optometrist who fails to provide a replacement contact lens prescription, knowingly dispenses contact lenses without a valid and unexpired replacement contact lens prescription or who otherwise fails to comply with the provisions of this section.

L. A person who is not a licensed optometrist or a licensed physician shall not sell or dispense a contact lens to a resident of this state unless the person has at the time of sale or dispensing a copy of a valid, unexpired prescription or has obtained verification of a valid, unexpired prescription in accordance with Subsection M of this section.

M. A contact lens may not be sold, dispensed or distributed to a patient in this state by a seller of contact lenses unless one of the following has occurred:

(1)     the patient has given or mailed the seller an original, valid, unexpired written contact lens prescription;

(2)     the prescribing licensed optometrist has given, mailed or transmitted by facsimile transmission a copy of a valid, unexpired written contact lens prescription to a seller designated in writing by the patient to act on the patient’s behalf; or

(3)     the prescribing licensed optometrist has orally or in writing verified the valid, unexpired prescription to a seller designated by the patient to act on his behalf.

N. A verification shall not be provided pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection M of this section unless the patient has designated the contact lens seller to act on the patient’s behalf. Verification by the prescribing licensed optometrist shall take place pursuant to the following procedure:

(1)     a request for a verification shall be made by the seller to the prescribing licensed optometrist by facsimile, mail or telephone;

(2)     if received between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on a working day, the prescribing licensed optometrist shall provide verification to the seller within three working days of receipt;

(3)     if not received between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on a working day, the prescribing licensed optometrist shall provide verification to the seller within three working days after 9:00 a.m. of the next working day following receipt;

(4)     in any case where the existence of a valid designation by the patient of a seller to act on the patient’s behalf is in question, the prescriber shall promptly contact the patient to determine if a designation is in effect. Under no circumstances shall a non-response to a verification request be deemed to authorize, validate or confirm any prescription; and

(5)     as used in this subsection, “working day” means any Saturday or Sunday that the office of the prescribing licensed optometrist is open and Monday through Friday but does not include a holiday.

O. A person who knowingly violates the provisions of Subsection L of this section is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to Section 31-18-15 N.M. Stat. Ann..

P. A person who is not a licensed optometrist or a licensed physician shall not sell or dispense a contact lens to a resident of this state unless he is registered with the board of pharmacy as a seller or dispenser of contact lenses; provided that pharmacies, clinics and hospitals licensed by the board of pharmacy shall be exempt from this requirement. The board of pharmacy shall promulgate rules to establish the application procedures for obtaining registration and may include a requirement for payment of a fee by the applicant, but the amount of the fee shall not exceed the costs of implementing the registration requirement. The board of pharmacy shall maintain a current list of all registered sellers and dispensers of contact lenses. A person who is not registered pursuant to this subsection and knowingly sells or dispenses a contact lens to a resident of this state is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to Section 31-19-1 N.M. Stat. Ann..