True or False: An optometrist can be employed by an optician.

The correct response is that it is false for an optometrist to be employed by an optician. According to California Optometry Law, an optometrist must operate independently of any retail optical establishment, which includes opticians. The law is designed to maintain the autonomy of the optometric profession and ensure that patient care remains the primary focus without commercial interference.

Opticians primarily provide optical services, such as dispensing eyewear and fitting contact lenses, and while they play a crucial role in the vision care system, they are not authorized to provide the same level of care as optometrists. This separation is intended to protect the patient-physician relationship and uphold professional standards within the field. Given this regulatory framework, the employment of an optometrist by an optician would violate these legal guidelines, thereby making the statement false.

The other options imply conditions under which such employment could occur, but none align with the regulations that govern the professional structure of optometry and optical services in California.