Bill > S2614

This bill aims to ensure consumer choice and equal access to eye care. It makes several key changes to the state's laws governing the practice of optometry: 1. It expands the definition of "practice of optometry" to include the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of glaucoma and other ocular abnormalities using pharmaceutical agents. 2. It allows registered optometrists who are qualified by examination and certified to issue prescriptions to use and prescribe certain therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, including those in Schedules III-VI, for the purpose of diagnosing, preventing, correcting, managing, or treating glaucoma and other ocular conditions. 3. It establishes a new certification process for optometrists to demonstrate their qualifications to use and prescribe these therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, including requirements for didactic and supervised clinical education. 4. It specifies that optometrists must refer patients to licensed physicians or other qualified healthcare providers if they encounter signs of a disease that requires treatment outside the scope of optometry. The bill also includes provisions related to the application of these new laws to existing optometrists and applicants.

Health and Social Services

Joint Committee on Public Health (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2614