Opternative v. South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association

Headline: South Carolina Optometric Association Wins Case Against Online Vision Test Provider

Citation:

Court: South Carolina Supreme Court · Filed: 2026-01-21 · Docket: 2024-001321
Published
Outcome: Defendant Win
Impact Score: 65/100 — Moderate impact: This case has notable implications for related legal matters.
Legal Topics: unlicensed practice of optometrytortious interference with business relationsprofessional regulationscope of practice

Case Summary

This case involves a dispute between Opternative, a company that provides an online vision test, and the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association (SCOPA), a professional organization for optometrists. Opternative sought to offer its online vision test in South Carolina, but SCOPA argued that this practice constituted the unlicensed practice of optometry and was therefore illegal. Opternative sued SCOPA, claiming that SCOPA's actions, including sending letters to Opternative's customers and employees, were intended to harm Opternative's business and constituted tortious interference with Opternative's business relationships. The court had to decide whether Opternative's online vision test was indeed the practice of optometry and whether SCOPA's actions were lawful in their efforts to protect their members' profession. The court ultimately ruled in favor of SCOPA. It found that Opternative's online vision test did constitute the practice of optometry under South Carolina law. The court reasoned that the test involved diagnosing vision conditions and prescribing corrective lenses, which are core functions of optometry. Therefore, Opternative's service was subject to South Carolina's optometry regulations. The court also found that SCOPA's actions, while aggressive, were taken to protect its members from what it perceived as an illegal practice and were therefore protected by the state's laws regarding professional associations acting in good faith to uphold their standards.

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. May contain errors. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

Court Syllabus

Opternative, Inc. challenges the Eye Care Consumer Protection Law?sections 40-24-10 and 40-24-20 of the South Carolina Code (Supp. 2025)?as violative of equal protection and due process under article I, section 3 of the South Carolina Constitution. We find the Law is constitutional, and affirm the circuit court.

Key Holdings

The court established the following key holdings in this case:

  1. An online vision test that diagnoses vision conditions and prescribes corrective lenses constitutes the practice of optometry under South Carolina law.
  2. A professional association's actions taken in good faith to protect its members from perceived illegal practices are generally protected.

Entities and Participants

Parties

  • Opternative (company)
  • South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association (SCOPA) (company)

Frequently Asked Questions (4)

Comprehensive Q&A covering every aspect of this court opinion.

Basic Questions (4)

Q: What was the core dispute in this case?

The case centered on whether Opternative's online vision test was considered the practice of optometry in South Carolina and if SCOPA's actions to prevent its use were lawful.

Q: Did the court find Opternative's online vision test to be the practice of optometry?

Yes, the court ruled that Opternative's online vision test constituted the practice of optometry under South Carolina law.

Q: What was the court's reasoning for its decision?

The court reasoned that the test involved diagnosing vision conditions and prescribing lenses, which are key optometric functions, and that SCOPA acted in good faith to protect its members.

Q: Who won the case?

The South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association (SCOPA) won the case.

Case Details

Case NameOpternative v. South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association
Citation
CourtSouth Carolina Supreme Court
Date Filed2026-01-21
Docket Number2024-001321
Precedential StatusPublished
OutcomeDefendant Win
Impact Score65 / 100
Legal Topicsunlicensed practice of optometry, tortious interference with business relations, professional regulation, scope of practice
Jurisdictionsc

Related Legal Resources

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About This Analysis

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AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. May contain errors. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.

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