South Dakota expands OD practice scope to include some laser procedures, injections
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On March 4, Gov. Kristi Noem signed South Dakota House Bill 1099 into law, allowing optometrists to administer some injections and perform some laser procedures.
“I am so proud of our member doctors for the support they provided in passing this bill,” Ashley Crabtree, OD, president-elect of the South Dakota Optometric Society, told Healio. “When asked, they responded and met with legislators, texted, called and emailed. Several ODs made the trip to the state capitol to lobby legislators and testify in committee.”
Optometrists will be able to perform three injection procedures, including Botox around the eye for a medicinal purpose, steroid injection to treat a chalazion and anesthetic by injection to remove a pedunculated skin tag; two laser procedures, selective laser trabeculoplasty and YAG laser; and intense pulsed light therapy for dry eye, according to the society.
Optometrists will need to complete a three-part “prove-up” process to be able to perform these procedures. Requirements include passing national examinations on laser procedures and injection procedures, passing a 32-hour certification course to demonstrate competency in the procedures, and completing a hands-on demonstration on at least five human eyes for SLT and 10 eyes for YAG under supervision of either an ophthalmologist or authorized optometrist.
HB 1099 passed the state House of Representatives with a 48-17 vote and the state Senate with a 23-11 vote despite opposition from the South Dakota Academy of Ophthalmology, the South Dakota State Medical Association, specialty hospitals and various dermatologists, according to the society. The bill will become law on July 1.
South Dakota is now the 12th U.S. state to expand optometrists’ scope of practice to include laser procedures and injections, according to the American Optometric Association.
Reference:
- 2024 South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1099. https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/24412/266241. Accessed March 8, 2024.
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