Arizona State Board Of Optometry Practice Exam

Which of the following substances is NOT allowed to be prescribed?

1. Macrolides

2. Pain relievers

3. Oral anti-metabolites

4. Topical antibiotics

The correct answer is: Oral anti-metabolites

The option of oral anti-metabolites being not allowed to be prescribed is grounded in the scope of practice for optometrists. While optometrists are trained to manage a variety of ocular conditions, their prescribing authority is typically limited to treatments that primarily affect the eyes or have an immediate ocular impact. Oral anti-metabolites, which are often utilized in the treatment of systemic diseases such as cancer, are outside the established boundaries of optometric practice. This restriction ensures that optometrists focus on eye care and that systemic treatments are managed by physicians who have the necessary training in those areas. In contrast, macrolides, pain relievers, and topical antibiotics fall within the general therapeutic categories that optometrists are allowed to prescribe for conditions they may treat in the eye or surrounding structures. Macrolides, for example, can be prescribed for bacterial conjunctivitis, while pain relievers can address discomfort associated with ocular procedures or injuries, and topical antibiotics are vital for managing external eye infections. Each of these medications is pertinent to the practice of optometry and aligns with the regulations that govern prescriptive authority in this field.