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Optometry scope-of-practice bills die in Alaska

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Legislation granting optometrists in Alaska the rights to prescribe oral drugs and controlled substances and to perform injections has been killed, the American Academy of Ophthalmology announced last week.

According to AAO, the optometry lobby introduced companion bills, but neither the Senate nor the House Health Committees scheduled hearings, so neither bill reached the floor for a vote.

“The ODs try to legislate medical and surgical privileges that they do not have the medical education or training for, something we believe is dangerous to patients,” said Michael Brennan, AAO’s secretary for state affairs.