Regulatory/Legislative News

After concerns were raised by the Kentucky Optometric Association, the state attorney general on May 10 announced a settlement with Warby Parker for violating Kentucky’s Consumer Protection in Eye Care Act with its online vision test.

U.S. Reps Marc Veasey and Gus Bilirakis on May 14 introduced the Early Detection of Vision Impairments in Children Act, which will establish grants for screenings, early interventions and coordinated care to improve children’s eye health.

The FDA has approved Lumify Preservative Free eye drops for the treatment of ocular redness due to minor eye irritations, according to a press release from manufacturer Bausch + Lomb.

Earlier this month, members of the American Optometric Association and The Vision Council met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for federal policy reform and promote broad access to vison care, the organizations announced.

In January, the New Hampshire Senate received SB 440, a bill that would expand optometry’s scope of practice in the state to include minor eye surgeries, including several using lasers.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint under the False Claims Act against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, according to a press release.

The Florida Optometric Association recently defeated a reintroduced state Senate bill that would have limited health care provider designations, including prohibiting optometrists from calling themselves doctors.

The Vision Council has launched PolicyWatch, an online regulatory monitoring service for the optical industry to improve access and understanding of teleoptometry-related legislative issues, the nonprofit announced in a press release.

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.

Brassica Pharma has initiated a voluntary recall of its eye ointment products after an FDA inspection of a Brassica facility found a “lack of sterility assurance.”