ACT

(May 28)

Official Journal 43,053, dated June 3, 1997

For which the profession of optometry is regulated in Colombia and other provisions are dictated.

COLOMBIA CONGRESS

DECRETA:

ARTICLE 1o. present law regulates the exercise of the profession of optometry, determines the nature, purpose and field of application, develops the principles that govern it, points out its governing bodies of management, organization, accreditation and control of the professional exercise.

ARTICLE 2o. DEFINITION. For the purposes of this law, optometry is a health profession that requires a degree of university suitability, based on scientific, technical and humanistic training. Its activity includes actions of the prevention and correction of eye and eye diseases through examination, diagnosis, treatment and management that lead to visual efficiency and eye health, as well as the recognition and diagnosis of systemic manifestations that are related to the eye and that allow to preserve and improve the quality of life of the individual and the community.

ARTICLE 3o. OF THE REQUIREMENTS. To exercise the profession of optometry throughout the national territory, it is necessary to meet one of the following requirements:

(a) That the professional has obtained the respective university degree, awarded by one of the university institutions recognized by the National Government;

(b) The professional has obtained his degree in a university establishment in countries which have concluded or concluded with Colombia treaties or agreements on the approval or validation of certificates, provided that the relevant documents are endorsed by the competent Colombian authorities in the country of origin of the relevant title;

(c) The professional has obtained his degree in a university establishment, from a country which has no treaties or agreements for the approval or validation of certificates with Colombia and presents to the Ministry of Education the certificates in which the subjects submitted and approved and the respective title, duly authenticated by a diplomatic official authorized for the purpose by the Government of Colombia.

The Ministry of Education of the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education, ICFES, will validate or approve the title, when in its judgment, the institution's curriculum is at least equivalent to that of one of the officially recognised university establishments in Colombia;

d) For any of the above cases the optometra will require the professional card issued in accordance with article 8or. of this law.

PARAGRAFO.

The above does not apply to professionals who, at the date of enactment of this law, only have the professional registration in force, who in order to obtain the professional card, must prove the corresponding level.

ARTICLE 4. OF THE ACTIVITIES. For all legal effects it is understood by exercise of optometry, the application of technical and scientific knowledge in the following activities:

a) Comprehensive optometric assessment;

b) Clinical evaluation, treatment and control of visual acuity and binocular vision disorders;

c) Clinical assessment, design, adaptation and control of contact lenses or ophthalmic lenses for therapeutic or cosmetic corrective purposes;

d) The design, adaptation and control of ocular prostheses;

e) The application of the techniques necessary for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and rehabilitation of visual health anomalies;

f) The management and rehabilitation of visual disabilities, through evaluation, prescribing, adaptation and training in the use of special aids;

g) The design, organization, execution and evaluation of policies, plans, programs and projects, for the promotion, prevention, assistance, rehabilitation and rehabilitation of visual and eye health problems;

h) The design, organisation, implementation and evaluation of plans, programmes and projects to establish the epidemiological profiles of the visual or eye health of the population;

i) The design, execution and evaluation of policies, plans, programs and research projects leading to the generation, adaptation or transfer of technologies that will increase the coverage, attention and supply of solutions for adequate control and rehabilitation of the visual function;

j) The design, direction, execution and evaluation of visual health programs in the context of occupational health;

k) The direction, administration of research laboratories on issues related to visual health;

l) The management, management and management of optical facilities for the supply of visual health related inputs;

m) Other than in the event of scientific and technological development, are inherent in the exercise of the profession.

ARTICLE 5o. OF THE COMPETITION. The activities of the professional exercise defined in the previous article, are understood as their own of the optometry, except specifically the conventional surgical treatments and with laser beam and other invasive procedures, without prejudice to the powers for the exercise of other professions and health specialties, legitimately established in the areas concerned.

ARTICLE 6o. FROM THE PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL TECHNICAL COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY. Create the Professional National Technical Council of Optometry, as a permanent technical body, whose functions will be of consultation and advice of the National Government, of the territorial, in relation to the policies of development and exercise of the profession.

ARTICLE 7o. OF INTEGRATION. The Professional National Technical Council of Optometry, will be composed of the following main members:

a) The Minister of Health or his delegate;

b) 64 of Act 962 of 2005 > The Minister of Education or his delegate;

(c) Two representatives of officially recognized teaching entities, designated by the Colombian Association of Optometry Faculties;

d) Two representatives of the associations of optometry professionals;

e) A representative of the Health Services Users Association.

PARAGRAFO 1o. The designation of the representatives shall be made by the entities mentioned in this article within twelve (12) months of the penalty of this law. The representatives of the previous associations shall be elected for a single time for a period of two (2) years; and those of those who deal with the literals (c) and (d) of this Article shall be optometated and with a professional card.

PARAGRAFO 2o. The Health Services Users Association representative will designate the association with the largest number of existing partners in the country.

PARAGRAFO 3o. One of the two representatives of the associations of optometry professionals, will be appointed by the association with the largest number of members, after certification before the National Technical Council Optometry Professional.

ARTICLE 8o. OF THE FUNTIONS. The Professional National Technical Council of Optometry will have the following functions:

a) Dictate your own regulations, organise your own executive secretary and set your funding rules;

b) Exorder the card from professionals who fill in the required requirements and keep the corresponding registration;

c) Set the value of the professional card's expedition rights;

d) Collaborate with university and professional authorities in the study and establishment of academic requirements and curriculum in order to achieve optimal education and training of optometry professionals;

e) Cooperating with associations and associations, scientists and professionals of optometry in the stimulation and development of the profession and the continuous improvement of the use of optometry;

f)

g)

h)

PARAGRAFO. The professional card requirement will not govern the members of the first council, while the corresponding organization and processing lasts.

The members representing the optometre associations and the teaching entities that make up the Professional National Technical Council of Optometry will perform their duties ad honorem.

TRANSIENT PARAGRAPH.

ARTICLE 9o. OF THE ILLEGAL EXERCISE. For the illegal exercise of the profession of optometra, any activity carried out within the field of competence of this law, by whom it does not have the quality of professional of optometry and is not authorized duly to perform as such.

ARTICLE 10. OF THE VALIDITY. This law governs from its promulgation and repeals the provisions that are contrary to it.

The President of the honorable Senate of the Republic,

LUIS FERNANDO LONDONO CAPURRO.

The Secretary General of the honorable Senate of the Republic,

PEDRO PUMAREJO VEGA.

The President of the honorable House of Representatives,

GIOVANNI LAMBOGLIA MAZZILLI.

The Secretary General of the honorable House of Representatives,

DIEGO VIVAS TAFUR.

COLOMBIA-NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

Publish and execute.

Dada en Santa Fe de Bogota, D. C., on May 28, 1997.

ERNESTO SAMPER PIZANO

The Minister of Health,

MARIA TERESA FORERO DE SAADE.

The Minister of National Education,

JAIME CHILD TEN