The bill aims to expand the scope of practice for optometrists, which supporters say would benefit patients living in rural areas of the state. Even with the removal of laser surgery, the current version of the bill would allow optometrists to perform certain types of injections. Optometrists would also be allowed to continue to treat glaucoma patients as their condition worsened, according to the report.
Delegate Barbara Fleischauer (D-Monongalia) added an amendment that would also prohibit optometrists from advertising themselves as “optometric physicians,” although those already doing so would be grandfathered in, according to the report.
Opponents of the bill say that expanding the scope of practice for optometrists could lead to patient safety issues, as they are not required to undergo the same level of training and education as ophthalmologists.
Read the Register-Herald’s report on the West Virginia optometrist bill.
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