What should a retired OD verify before dispensing a device?

Before dispensing a device, a retired optometrist (OD) should primarily verify the validity of the prescription. This is crucial because a valid prescription ensures that the device is appropriate for the patient’s specific vision needs and has been prescribed following all necessary examinations and assessments. Validity includes checking that the prescription is recent, has not expired, and meets all legal and professional standards.

Verifying the validity of the prescription aligns with ethical practices and patient safety, ensuring that the device dispensed effectively addresses the patient’s visual requirements. It's important to ensure that patients receive the correct prescription that considers any changes in their vision and follows established protocols for their eye care.

In contrast, while factors such as insurance details, store brand, and payment plans are relevant in the process of dispensing devices, they do not directly pertain to the appropriateness or legality of the prescription itself. Hence, they are secondary considerations once the validity of the prescription has been confirmed.