Are optometrists allowed to dispense prescriptions for medicine?

Optometrists do have limited prescription privileges. Optometrists received O.D. or Doctor of Optometry degrees from accredited optometry schools rather then medical schools, so they do not have full prescription license. They are allowed to write prescriptions for medications to treat certain eye diseases as well as prescriptions for corrective eyewear, including contact lenses and spectacles

They can prescribe only externally applied medicines in most states. For example, if you have pink eye, they can prescribe antibiotic eye drops.