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October 29, 2021
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New law allows New York ODs to prescribe oral therapeutics

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Legislation signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul Oct. 25 will allow optometrists in the state to prescribe oral medications.

With the passage of S 1519/A 19, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023, optometrists in every state now have the ability to prescribe oral therapeutics for eye disease, according to the American Optometric Association.

The legislation specifies that eligible optometrists must be certified to prescribe diagnostic and topical pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, have completed a 40-hour oral agent certification course and passed an exam. Optometrists who graduated after Jan. 1, 2021, and passed the national boards will not be required to complete the course or pass the exam.

The New York State Optometric Association said on its website that, “ODs are the primary eye care providers in much of the state – particularly in rural and low-income urban areas,” and ‘“patients expect and need the full range of diagnosis and treatment from ODs.”