The Illinois Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons opposes a proposal that would allow optometrists to perform "low-risk" advanced procedures, according to The Bellingham Herald.
Here are five things to know.
1. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations proposed allowing optometrists to perform "low-risk" advanced optometric procedures if they have the required 32 hours of training to perform the procedures.
2. The ISEPS claims the proposed training requirements are inadequate. Chicago-based ophthalmologist and past president of the society Chris Albanis, MD, claims the procedures in question are surgery, and that patient safety will be jeopardized if performed by someone other than a medical doctor.
These advanced procedures include:
- Subcutaneous, intradermal and subconjunctival injections
- Excision, removal or destruction of chalazion
- Excision, removal or destruction of benign, superficial lesions
- Skin tag removal
- Incision and drainage of cysts
- Epilation by means other than forceps
- Corneal debridement, not including removal of pterygium or corneal neoplasias
3. Effingham, Ill.-based optometrist Matthew Jones, OD, claims that the proposal will make eye care more accessible for patients who cannot travel or wait to see an ophthalmologist.
4. Illinois' General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules is expected to decide on the proposal in the next few months.
5. Illinois has between 700 and 800 ophthalmologists and approximately 2,500 optometrists.
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