The Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians is a six-member board appointed by the Governor to protect, promote and preserve the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Georgia. The Board is composed of five licensed, practicing dispensing opticians and one consumer member. The Board reviews applications, administers examinations, licenses qualified applicants and regulates the practice of the licensees throughout the state. Complaints are investigated and, if warranted, disciplinary action may be taken by the Board. Board meetings are held approximately four times each year at the Secretary of State’s office in Macon and are open to the public. Persons wishing to bring matters for the Board’s consideration should submit a written request to the office.

Licensed opticians prepare and dispense lenses, spectacles, eyeglasses, contact lenses and optical devices as authorized by a written prescription from an optometrist or physician skilled in diseases of the eye. Dispensing opticians can be considered for licensure after meeting specific educational or work experience requirements and examination.

On June 11, 2009, the spread of the H1N1 flu virus caused the World Health Organization to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6, the highest level. Georgia officials are currently preparing for the H1N1 influenza campaign and the seasonal influenza campaign that will be conducted during fall and winter. The Department of Community Health is asking all health professionals to serve as emergency response volunteers by signing up to assist with the 2009-2010 novel H1N1 vaccine immunization plan. For more information and to sign up for the online volunteer pool at www.servga.org.