Kentucky Approves Optometrists To Perform Eye Surgeries, But I Demur.
Lawmakers approve new eye surgery regulations
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Optometrists who have traditionally been relegated to testing vision and prescribing glasses are getting closer to performing eye surgeries in Kentucky.
The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee approved proposed regulations Tuesday that would allow optometrists to do some of the simpler surgical procedures now reserved for ophthalmologists. That approval came despite the efforts of the Kentucky Medical Association to derail the move.
The legislature speedily and overwhelmingly passed a law earlier this year to allow optometrists, who aren't medical doctors, to perform some minor eye surgeries. The proposed regulations, which specify the amount of training required for optometrists, still need approval of a full legislative committee and the governor.
Physicians complained Tuesday that the proposed regulations would allow optometrists to do the surgeries after 32 hours of training, far less than is required of ophthalmologists.
"We believe the patient safety concerns may have taken a backseat to how fast we can finalize the rule," said Dr. Julie Lee, a Louisville ophthalmologist who asked lawmakers to reject the proposed regulations.
Lee, representing the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the Kentucky Medical Association, complained that physicians and the public weren't given enough input in drafting the regulations. Jerald Combs, an eastern Kentucky optometrist who serves as president of the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, disputed that claim, saying ophthalmologists even sat on the task force that drafted the regulations.
Physicians have spent much of this year fighting against allowing optometrists to perform eye surgeries, beginning when lawmakers first took up the issue in February.
State Rep. Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow, said the purpose of Tuesday's legislative hearing wasn't intended to be a forum to debate the pros and cons of the newly enacted law, but to determine if the proposed regulation adequately complements the law so that optometrists can begin their new duties in coming months.
Lee said the proposed regulations need a complete overhaul so that optometrists have to undergo more training before performing eye surgeries.
"It's like being able to knit or sew," she said. "It takes a lot of practice. It takes a long time to learn to deal with the nuances and subtleties that are involved, and that's why we go through such long and detailed training."
Combs said allowing optometrists to perform a variety of simple procedures, like removing non-malignant growths around the eyes or treating glaucoma would be especially beneficial to rural residents who don't have ophthalmologists in their communities.
Optometrists still can't do more complicated procedures such as LASIK surgery used to correct poor vision.
By ROGER ALFORD
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Optometrists who have traditionally been relegated to testing vision and prescribing glasses are getting closer to performing eye surgeries in Kentucky.
The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee approved proposed regulations Tuesday that would allow optometrists to do some of the simpler surgical procedures now reserved for ophthalmologists. That approval came despite the efforts of the Kentucky Medical Association to derail the move.
The legislature speedily and overwhelmingly passed a law earlier this year to allow optometrists, who aren't medical doctors, to perform some minor eye surgeries. The proposed regulations, which specify the amount of training required for optometrists, still need approval of a full legislative committee and the governor.
Physicians complained Tuesday that the proposed regulations would allow optometrists to do the surgeries after 32 hours of training, far less than is required of ophthalmologists.
"We believe the patient safety concerns may have taken a backseat to how fast we can finalize the rule," said Dr. Julie Lee, a Louisville ophthalmologist who asked lawmakers to reject the proposed regulations.
Lee, representing the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the Kentucky Medical Association, complained that physicians and the public weren't given enough input in drafting the regulations. Jerald Combs, an eastern Kentucky optometrist who serves as president of the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, disputed that claim, saying ophthalmologists even sat on the task force that drafted the regulations.
Physicians have spent much of this year fighting against allowing optometrists to perform eye surgeries, beginning when lawmakers first took up the issue in February.
State Rep. Johnny Bell, D-Glasgow, said the purpose of Tuesday's legislative hearing wasn't intended to be a forum to debate the pros and cons of the newly enacted law, but to determine if the proposed regulation adequately complements the law so that optometrists can begin their new duties in coming months.
Lee said the proposed regulations need a complete overhaul so that optometrists have to undergo more training before performing eye surgeries.
"It's like being able to knit or sew," she said. "It takes a lot of practice. It takes a long time to learn to deal with the nuances and subtleties that are involved, and that's why we go through such long and detailed training."
Combs said allowing optometrists to perform a variety of simple procedures, like removing non-malignant growths around the eyes or treating glaucoma would be especially beneficial to rural residents who don't have ophthalmologists in their communities.
Optometrists still can't do more complicated procedures such as LASIK surgery used to correct poor vision.
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posted by KYJurisDoctor at 6:53 PM
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