West Virginia
As it stands, SB 230 would allow optometrists to perform three forms of laser surgery for glaucoma patients. Optometrists would need to be trained and certified by the medical board for these procedures, and they would be performed in collaboration with an ophthalmologist. The bill will also clarify optometrists’ prescriptive capabilities.
The act, if passed, will allow optometrists to perform:
• Argon laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma.
• Selective laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma.
• Peripheral iridotomy for glaucoma.
An additional procedure, YAG capsulotomy following cataract surgery, was amended out of the bill during discussion on the Senate floor.
“It’s all about access,” says Sen. Ed Bowman (D-Hancock). “With nearly 300 doctors of optometry across the state in 50 of 55 counties, this bill will make it easier for our residents to have high quality eye care.”
House Delegate Randy Swartzmiller (D-Brooke Country) agrees. “This bill not only increases the number of quality providers, it will decrease the distance many of our residents will have to travel for medical procedures.”
The bill was passed by the Senate 20-13 and was introduced in the House on February 23. At press, it is currently in the Health and Human Resources Committee.
Arizona
SB 1285 was submitted to the Arizona State Senate on January 28. Co-sponsored by the House and Senate Health Committees, this bill will replace azithromycin, erythromycin and clarithromycin in the optometrist’s prescriptive arsenal with the category “macrolides for the treatment of diseases of the eye and its adnexa.” The Arizona Optometric Association notes that this will not change optometrists’ prescribing authority; rather, it will allow O.D.s to prescribe from this category in the event of approval for a new drug that isn’t currently specified.
The second arm of the act would allow Arizona optometrists to prescribe oral antiviral drugs. The AZOA notes that 43 states currently permit O.D.s to prescribe this class of drugs, and that time is of the essence in patient cases when oral antivirals would be necessary.
At press, the bill is in committee in the Senate.
