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Kentucky optometric law raises concern in
ophthalmic community

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KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Passage of a bill enabling optometrists in Kentucky to perform some surgical procedures raised concern about the disproportionate influence of optometric lobbyists in the political arena, a speaker said here.

Ophthalmologists who do not want similar laws in their states should mobilize and register their opposition, Woodford S. Van Meter, MD, president of Kentucky Eye Physicians and Surgeons, said at Kiawah Eye 2011.

"The question is: How did this happen?" Dr. Van Meter said. "There are a lot of lessons you all could learn from us."

Kentucky State Senate Bill 110, which passed in February, gives optometrists clearance to perform Nd:YAG capsulotomy, argon laser trabeculoplasty and selective laser trabeculoplasty. It also allows excision of benign lid lesions, injections into the posterior chamber, paracentesis of the anterior chamber and any procedure other than penetrating keratoplasty, cataract extraction, glaucoma shunt surgery, retinal detachment surgery, LASIK and vitrectomy, Dr. Van Meter said.

The bill, which passed through both legislative chambers in 6 days, was reviewed by the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee rather than the Health and Welfare Committee, Dr. Van Meter said.

Optometric political action committees have made significant financial contributions to state legislators as well as to several Kentucky members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dr. Van Meter said.

"The optometrists had 29 lobbyists working on the bill," he said. "We had two lobbyists part time for 6 months out of the year."

Six ophthalmologists called their legislators in support of the Kentucky law, according to Dr. Van Meter.

"You've met the enemy and he is us," he said.

Two statewide polls showed almost 80% of the population of Kentucky opposing Senate Bill 110, Dr. Van Meter said.

Dr. Van Meter urged concerned ophthalmologists to contact state lawmakers, join state ophthalmic societies, and contribute to state ophthalmic political action committees and the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Surgical Scope Fund.

• Disclosure: Dr. Van Meter has no relevant financial disclosures.