An individual who wishes to file a complaint against a registered
optician
may write to:
Complaints Management and Investigative Section
P.O. Box 141369
Austin, Texas 78714-1369
or call 1-800-942-5540 to request the appropriate form or
obtain more
information. This number is for complaints only. Please
direct
routine calls and correspondence to the phone number and address
on the
"Contact Us" page.
How can a person file a complaint against a registered
dispensing
optician? What happens to a complaint after it is filed?
Contact the Opticians’ Registry Program of DSHS at the address
and telephone
number shown at the bottom of the main Dispensing Opticians home
page.
When a complaint is filed with DSHS, staff members review the
complaint
to determine if it makes allegations that, if proven true, would
be a
violation of the Opticians’ Registry Act or the rules of the
department.
If the allegations would not be a violation of the law or
rules, the
complaint is closed and the person who filed the complaint is
notified
of the reason that it was closed. If the allegations would be a
violation
of the law or rules, DSHS staff members investigate the
complaint. If
the investigation reveals that no violation occurred, the
complaint is
closed and the person who filed the complaint is notified of the
reason
that it was closed. If the investigation reveals that a
violation occurred,
DSHS staff members determine the appropriate disciplinary action
to be
taken. Actions may include fines; filing of criminal charges; or
suspension,
revocation, or probation of the optician’s registration.
What happens if the complaint does not fall within the
jurisdiction
of the Texas Department of State Health Services?
If DSHS does not have authority to resolve the complaint,
it will be
referred to the appropriate government agency for handling the
complaint,
if such agency exists.
Complaints alleging wrongdoing by an optometrist are referred
to the
Texas Optometry Board. Complaints alleging wrongdoing by an
ophthalmologist
are referred to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
Consumers
may file complaints directly with those agencies by calling the
Health
Professions Council Complaint Hotline at 1-800-821-3205.