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Michigan ODs gain additional privileges for diagnostics, orals
Legislation has been passed in Michigan that would allow optometrists to prescribe a broader range of diagnostic and oral drugs.
House Bill 5552, commonly known as the “Therapeutic Care Legislation,” was signed into law on Dec. 13, 2002. According to Roger R. Seelye, OD, legislative committee chair of the Michigan Optometric Association, the legislation will enable optometrists in the state to provide more effective, affordable eye care to residents.
“The benefit of this type of law is to provide primary eye care in a more cost-effective way,” he said. “I think we will see an improvement.”
No limit on diagnostics
Under previous law, optometrists in Michigan had heavy restrictions on their use of diagnostic pharmaceuticals, Dr. Seelye said. “We were only allowed to use, basically, two drugs pharmaceutically – proparacaine and tropicamide,” he said. “Of course, they weren’t always the most appropriate diagnostic drugs, based on every patient’s medical needs and history.”
Under the new legislation, optometrists are authorized to use any topically applied pharmaceutical for diagnostic purposes, Dr. Seelye said. “So, now, optometrists in Michigan can use the most appropriate, the safest and the most effective drug to get the diagnostic information we desire,” he said.
The bill also authorizes optometrists to prescribe oral medications that were previously not permitted, including Schedule III, IV and V narcotic drugs, Dr. Seelye said.
No glaucoma consultation
In addition to the expanded range of medications, the bill also freed optometrists from restrictive language in the realm of glaucoma diagnosis and treatment. “Previously, when we diagnosed glaucoma, before we initiated treatment, we had to consult with an ophthalmologist to get agreement on the diagnosis and treatment plan,” Dr. Seelye said. “The new legislation authorizes optometrists to diagnose and treat independently of that consultation.”
Under the new law, optometrists are only required to consult an ophthalmologist when a patient’s condition does not respond to treatment. “We have always been mandated to refer a patient for further diagnosis and treatment if the condition was not responding to treatment based on acceptable medical standards,” he said. “That was regardless of the condition, and that makes sense.”
A good working relationship
Dr. Seelye said that, like many bills of its kind, House Bill 5552 encountered some opposition from various sources, including ophthalmology. “We had some fairly sizable fights when it was on the House floor and also after it passed the House,” he said. “Then, we had some battles within the Senate committee, but there were basically no battles on the Senate floor.”
According to Dr. Seelye, optometrists and ophthalmologists have an excellent one-on-one working relationship in Michigan. “This was basically a political fight, and we chose to agree not to agree,” he said. “But on a one-on-one basis, I work every day with ophthalmology for the benefit of our patients. We are not trying to replace ophthalmology; we are trying to make primary eye care more accessible to the average citizen.”
For Your Information:
- Roger R. Seelye, OD, is legislative committee chair of the Michigan Optometric Association. He can be reached at 307 N. Ball St., Owosso, MI 48867-2801; (517) 723-1101; fax: (989) 723-1665.