Idaho House passes bill to grant laser privileges to optometrists
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The Idaho House of Representatives passed legislation Feb. 6 designed to update Idaho’s Optometric Physician Licensing Act to better reflect current practice, licensing and duties of the State Board of Optometry, the Idaho Optometric Physician Association stated in a publicly available informational sheet.
HB317 would expand optometrists’ scope of practice by allowing them to perform therapeutic laser procedures — including Nd:YAG, selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser peripheral iridotomy — after specific training and certification.
The bill was referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee Optometrists in four states – Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana and Arkansas – can now perform certain laser privileges. Alaska is in the process of developing regulations for laser use.
“Optometrists are Idaho’s most accessible eye care providers. In many counties, they are the only eye doctors. Allowing certified optometrists to use laser treatment greatly expands the access and affordability of medical care to Idahoans,” reads an informational sheet distributed by the association. “Patients won’t have to wait to see a specialist, travel to a county with an ophthalmologist and can choose less expensive in-office procedures. This bill gives patients the choice to save time and money. By allowing more providers to certify in laser technology it also increases competition and lowers prices for everyone.”
The association stated its support of the bill, which was sponsored by the Idaho State Board of Optometry with backing from Pacific Cataract and Laser Ophthalmologists, Idaho Eye and Laser Center and Ophthalmologists, and Empire Eye and Ophthalmologists.
Additional data from the association’s informational sheet noted that optometrists who wish to perform therapeutic laser procedures would be required to undergo training, pass the national board practical along with a written exam on advanced procedures and complete proctored procedures on live patients. – by Talitha Bennett
References:
Idaho Optometric Physician Association. FAQ on HB 317 Optometric Physician Licensing. Accessed Feb. 6, 2020.
Idaho State Legislature. House Bill 317. Updated Feb. 05, 2020. Accessed Feb. 6, 2020. https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2020/legislation/H0317/.