Virginia becomes 8th state to grant laser privileges to ODs
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Virginia lawmakers passed legislation to expand the optometric scope of practice to now include the use of Nd:YAG, selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser peripheral iridotomy.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed SB 375 and HB 213 into law March 9, making Virginia the eighth state, and the third since 2021, to include these procedures, according to the American Optometric Association. The law goes into effect July 1.
“We were successful in our scope expansion due to the tireless efforts of our grassroots network and outstanding legislative committee leaders and the support of our membership,” Virginia Optometric Association (VOA) President Lisa Gontarek, OD, told Healio. “This comes after 4 years of designing and executing a very specific, organized plan to make it happen. Most importantly, we educated our legislators about what we do and what this scope expansion would mean for patients.”
VOA Executive Director Bo Keeney added: “The greatest challenge in any legislative push is assisting legislators to cut through the unnecessary rhetoric and noise made by the opposition. This often blurs the truth and makes it difficult for legislators to make an informed decision.
“Fortunately, today's optometrists are highly skilled doctors who receive more than 10,000 hours of education and training and are able to diagnose 270-plus systemic diseases through the eye and human vision system,” Keeney continued. “This made it easy for Virginia's legislators to see that it was a natural progression to enhance the optometric practice act by authorizing the use of SLT, PI and YAG lasers for appropriate patient care.”
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