Arizona State Board Of Optometry Practice Exam

Which of the following cannot be prescribed by an optometrist?

1. Oral anti-fungal

2. Macrolides

3. Fluoroquinolones

4. Antivirals

The correct answer is: Oral anti-fungal

An optometrist is trained to provide a range of primary eye care services, including the ability to prescribe certain types of medications. However, the scope of prescription authority can vary significantly based on state regulations and the specific training and certification of the optometrist. In Arizona, optometrists have the authority to prescribe various categories of medications, including certain oral medications. However, oral antifungal medications are typically outside the standard scope of practice for optometrists in many states, including Arizona. They are usually reserved for specialists, such as dermatologists or primary care physicians, because antifungal treatments often require more extensive patient evaluation and management approaches. On the other hand, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and antivirals are antibiotics and antiviral medications used to treat various bacterial and viral infections affecting the eyes, which can be within the prescribing authority of optometrists, depending on their training and state regulations. Therefore, oral antifungal medications are not usually prescribed by optometrists due to the complexity and nature of their treatment protocols.