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Proposed N.J. ‘optometric surgeon’ bill withdrawn

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TRENTON, N.J. — A bill that would have given optometrists the right to perform a wide range of eye surgeries, including refractive, retina, cataract, glaucoma and lid surgeries, has been withdrawn from consideration. The proposed bill would also have created a New Jersey Optometry Board and given the board the authority to approve future optometric surgical privileges, according to an American Academy of Ophthalmology news release.

“It is unbelievable that the OD board, which is comprised of non-medical providers, would have had the authority to virtually grant a plenary license to optometrists practicing in New Jersey,” said Donald Cinotti, MD, the regional state affairs secretariat member for the AAO..

After intense pressure from both the AAO and the New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology, N.J. State Assemblyman Van Drew (D) earlier this month withdrew his legislation from further consideration by the full Assembly.