Welcome to the

Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners Website

The practice of optometry in the state of Louisiana is declared a professional practice affecting the public health, safety, and welfare, and is subject to regulation and control in the public interest. It is further declared to be a matter of public interest and concern that the practice of optometry merit and receive the confidence of the public and that only qualified persons be permitted to engage in the practice of optometry in the state of Louisiana. Thus the ultimate mission of the Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners is to regulate and insure the safe practice of optometry in the state of Louisiana.

The Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners is created within the Department of Health and Hospitals and is subject to the provisions of R.S. 36:803. This board shall consist of five members who shall be licensed optometrists and shall have practiced optometry in this state for seven years, plus one member of the public.  Appointments to this board are made by the Governor of the state of Louisiana.

Definition: "Optometry" is the practice in which a person employs primary eye care procedures including ophthalmic surgery such as YAG laser capsulotomy, laser peripheral iridotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty, except for those surgery procedures specifically excluded; measures the powers and range of vision of the human eye using subjective or objective means, including the use of lenses and prisms before the eye and autorefractors or other automated testing devices to determine its accommodative and refractive state and general scope of function; and the adaptation, sale, and dispensing of frames and lenses in all their forms, including plano or zero power contact lenses, to overcome errors of refraction and restore as near as possible, normal human vision, or for orthotic, prosthetic, therapeutic, or cosmetic purposes with respect to contact lenses. Optometry also includes the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of abnormal conditions and pathology of the human eye and its adnexa, including the use or prescription of vision therapy, ocular exercises, rehabilitation therapy, subnormal vision therapy, ordering of appropriate diagnostic lab or imaging tests; the dispensing of samples to initiate treatment; and the use or prescription of diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents. With respect to frames and lenses, including those containing diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, an optometrist may provide samples or dispense such products to his own patients, provided however that such dispensing activities shall conform to rules relative to packaging, labeling, and recordkeeping promulgated by the board.

What is a Doctor of Optometry?
Doctors of optometry are independent, primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures, for patients of all ages, and diagnose related systemic conditions. This includes prescribing oral and topical medications (antibiotics, antivirals, antiinflammatories, etc.), performing minor surgical procedures, fitting contact lenses, ordering blood work and neuro-imaging (e.g. MRI, CT, etc), prescribing glasses, and/or offering vision therapy and vision rehabilitation services.

Contact us at:

1111 Medical Center Blvd, S-880
Marrero, LA 70072
Phone (318) 335-2989
Email: lsboe@yahoo.com

The 2024 LSBOE Licensing Exam is scheduled for Friday & Saturday, July 12 -13, 2024, in Shreveport, LA. 

For more information on the LSBOE Licensing Exam & a typical LSBOE Board Exam Agenda click here.

For a printable copy of the LSBOE Application for Licensing Exam click here.