optometrists; eye exams; prescriptions

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details regarding how often at-risk patients should have eye exams, leaving that determination up to the prescriber or provider recommendations.

Eye Exams and Prescriptions for Optometrists

This law sets standards for optometrists to follow when conducting eye exams and prescribing eyeglass prescriptions.

What This Bill Does

• Requires optometrists to conduct eye examinations according to the community's standard of care, including an examination of the patient's eye health and vision with a recommended interval of one year.
• Allows optometrists to extend the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription for up to two years or reduce it based on medical factors or risk categories of the patient.
• Specifies that prescriptions must include important details like the patient's name, lens power, optometrist information, and expiration date.

Who It Names or Affects

• Optometrists who perform eye exams and write eyeglass prescriptions in Arizona.
• Patients getting eye exams and prescriptions from optometrists.

Terms To Know

optometrist

A healthcare professional who provides primary vision care services, including prescribing glasses and contact lenses.

eyeglass prescription

A document written by an optometrist that specifies the strength of lenses needed to correct a person's vision.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how often at-risk patients should have eye exams.
• It is unclear if there will be any changes in costs for patients due to these new rules.

Official Summary Text

SB1023 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1023

optometrists;
eye exams; prescriptions

Purpose

Prescribes standards for optometrists conducting eye examinations and
prescribing eyeglass prescriptions.

Background

Ophthalmic lenses
, including eyeglasses and contact lenses,
consist of lenses that assist in the compensation of uneven eye shape or
refractive errors to properly bend light into the eye for correction of vision
(
Mayo
Clinic
).

Arizona optometrists follow the eye examination clinical practice
guidelines as prescribed by the American Optometric Association (AOA), which
provides examination frequency recommendations for patients who are
asymptomatic or at low risk for developing serious eye or vision problems, as
follows: 1) at least every two years for patients between 18 and 39 years old;
2) at least every two years for patients between 40 and 64 years old; and 3)
annually for patients who are 65 years old or older. The frequency of eye
examinations for at-risk patients may occur annually or as recommended by the
prescriber. The AOA pediatric examination frequency recommendations for
asymptomatic or low risk patients are: 1) at 6 and 12 months of age; 2) at
least once between 3 and 5 years old; and 3) before first grade and annually
thereafter. At-risk patients will need to be examined following this
recommended schedule and as recommended by the provider (
AOA
Adult Report
and
AOA
Pediatric Report
).

An optometric prescription for ophthalmic lenses must include: 1) the
patient's name;

2) the refractive power of the lenses; 3) information pertaining to the
licensee, including the licensee's name, contact information and signature; and
4) the date of the examination and expiration of the prescription. All
optometric prescriptions must be provided to the patient upon completion of an
eye exam (
A.A.C.
R4-21-306
).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact
to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.

Requires
an optometrist to conduct an eye examination according to the standard of care
prevalent in the community, including an examination of the patient's health
and vision, with a recommended interval of one year.

2.

Allows
an optometrist to extend the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription for
up to two years or reduce the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription
based on the presence or absence of risk of the patient or other factors.

3.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

January 14, 2026

JT/HD/ci

Current Bill Text

Chapter 0006 - 572R - S Ver of SB1023

Senate Engrossed

optometrists; eye
exams; prescriptions

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

CHAPTER 6

SENATE BILL 1023

AN
ACT

Amending title 32, chapter 16, article 3,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 32-1754; relating to
optometrists.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 32, chapter 16, article 3,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 32-1754, to read:

START_STATUTE
32-1754.

Eye examinations; interval; eyeglass prescriptions; period of
validity

A. An optometrist shall conduct an
eye examination according to the standards of care prevalent in the community,
including an examination of the patient's eye health and vision, with a
recommended examination interval of one year.

B. An optometrist may extend the
period of validity of an eyeglass prescription to up to two years or may reduce
the period of validity of an eyeglass prescription based on the presence or
absence of any risk category of the patient and any medical or other factor
attributable to the patient.
END_STATUTE

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR MARCH 27, 2026.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 27, 2026.