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Ohio’s new scope to cover drug-delivery contacts

Issue: May 2008

ByJena Passut

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Among the changes in scope of practice laws in Ohio is a new rule that would allow optometrists to dispense contact lenses that deliver medical therapy directly to the eye.

“As those types of therapeutic contact lenses come into the marketplace within the next year or two, our doctors will be able to dispense them from their office,” Ohio Optometric Association executive director Richard Cornett told Primary Care Optometry News in an interview.

Mr. Cornett said such a drug system is currently under investigation in clinical trials.

Additionally, legislators changed some “restrictive language” on the books regarding optometry in House Bill 149, Mr. Cornett said.

“Their definition restricted the practice anatomically to the anterior segment of the eye, and we are obviously way past that,” he said. “The definition is under the authority of the state optometry board.”

The bill directs the board to make rules to govern the practice throughout the state and gives the board power to enforce those rules.

Lawmakers also eliminated the Ohio OD formulary. Previously, ODs could prescribe only a few antibiotics and antiviral medications. “Now, if the drugs have an ophthalmic indication, Ohio optometrists have access to them,” Mr. Cornett said. “When the MDs get them, ODs get them. It has broadened their immediate access to the newest and best drugs for their patients, as it should be.”

Optometrists in Ohio also will be able to prescribe some narcotics for management of pain and perform diabetic sugar testing. The bill also permits the application of epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis.

The law was implemented in March, but some of the medications are still going through administrative rule, Mr. Cornett told PCON.

Ohio leaders lauded the changes. “Optometrists are truly being appreciated for the fact that they, as is the case across the nation, provide the significant majority of primary eye care,”

Karen Riccio, OD, president of the Ohio Optometric Association, told PCON. “Our scope has been enhanced to recognize that.”

Cheryl Archer, OD, past president of the OOA, said patients will benefit most from the new rules. “Healthy vision is critical to quality of life,” she said. “HB 149 is patient centered to keep current Ohio’s optometric scope of practice and best serve our patients.”

For more information:

• Richard Cornett is executive director of the Ohio Optometric Association and can be reached at PO Box 6036, Worthington, OH 43085; (614) 781-0708; fax (614) 781-6521; e-mail: rcornett@ooa.org.
• Karen Riccio, OD, is president of the Ohio Optometric Association. She can be reached at 220 C Market Street, New Albany, OH 43054; (614) 855-1122; fax: (614) 939-1350; e-mail: karenriccio@sbcglobal.net.
• Cheryl Archer, OD, is immediate past president of the Ohio Optometric Association. She can be reached at 1201 Defiance St., Suite A, PO Box 58, Wapakoneta, OH 45895; (419) 738-2715; fax: (419) 738-2815; e-mail: csrod@bright.net.