Texas Occupations Code 351.002 – Definitions
Terms Used In Texas Occupations Code 351.002
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
In this chapter:
(1) “Adnexa” means the lids and drainage system of the eye.
(2) “Board” means the Texas Optometry Board.
(3) “Dispensing optician” or “ophthalmic dispenser” means a person who:
(A) is not an optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or licensed physician; and
(B) sells or delivers to the consumer ophthalmic devices, including fabricated and finished spectacle lenses, frames, and contact lenses, prescribed by an optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, or licensed physician.
(4) “Optometrist” means a person licensed under this chapter and authorized to practice optometry.
(5) “Person” means an individual, association of individuals, trustee, receiver, partnership, corporation, or organization or the manager, agent, servant, or employee of any of those entities.
(6) “Practice of optometry” means using objective or subjective means, with or without the use of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents, to:
(A) determine or measure the powers of vision of the human eye as provided by § 351.355;
(B) examine or diagnose visual defects, abnormal conditions, or diseases of the human eye or adnexa; or
(C) prescribe or fit lenses or prisms to correct or remedy a defect or abnormal condition of vision as provided by § 351.356.
(7) “Practice of therapeutic optometry” means using objective or subjective means, not including surgery or laser surgery, to:
(A) determine or measure the powers of vision of the human eye as provided by § 351.355;
(B) examine or diagnose visual defects, abnormal conditions, or diseases of the human eye or adnexa;
(C) prescribe or fit lenses or prisms to correct or remedy a defect or abnormal condition of vision as provided by § 351.356;
(D) administer or prescribe a drug or physical treatment in the manner authorized by this chapter; or
(E) treat the visual system, including the eye or adnexa as authorized by this chapter.
(8) “Surgery” means a procedure using instruments, including lasers, scalpels, or needles, in which human tissue is cut, burned, vaporized, or otherwise altered by any mechanical means, laser, or ionizing radiation. The term includes procedures using instruments that require closing by suturing, clamping, or another device. The term does not include a noninvasive procedure to remove a superficial foreign body in the conjunctiva, eyelid, or corneal epithelium that has not perforated the Bowman’s membrane.
(9) “Therapeutic optometrist” means a person licensed under this chapter and authorized to practice therapeutic optometry.