SECTION 505:10-5-12. Code of Ethics

  It Shall Be the Ideal, The Reserve, And the Duty of Each Optometrist in Oklahoma:

(1)   TO KEEP the visual welfare of the patient uppermost at all times

(2)   TO PROMOTE in every possible way, in collaboration with this Board, better care of the visual needs of mankind;

(3)   TO ENHANCE continuously their educational and technical proficiency to the end that their patients shall receive the benefits of all acknowledged improvements in visual care;

(4)   TO SEE THAT no person shall lack for visual care, regardless of his financial status;

(5)   TO ADVISE the patient whenever consultation with an optometric colleague or reference for other professional care seems advisable;

(6)   TO HOLD professional confidence all information concerning a patient and to use such data only for the benefit of the patient;

(7)   TO CONDUCT themselves as exemplary citizens;

(8)   TO MAINTAIN their offices and their practices in keeping with professional standards;

(9)   TO PROMOTE and maintain cordial and unselfish relationships with members of their own profession and of their professions for the exchange of information to the advantage of mankind;

(10)   TO BE ACCOUNTABLE to and to refrain from any appearance of negligence of a patient;

(11)   TO BE AVAILABLE and responsive to a patient for consultation on his or her visual care;

(12)   TO CONDUCT their practices in total independence from any corporation, firm, company, entity, or non-licensed lay person; except that an optometrict may incorporate a practice under the Professional Corporation Act as provided by law;

(13)   TO PRACTICE in his or her own name and to avoid any appearance of affiliation which might confuse or mislead members of the public, in any manner, with any retail optical concern or outlet.