Bill > SF1144

This bill modifies the existing Minnesota law regarding the scope of practice for optometrists, specifically addressing their limitations on prescribing and administering drugs. The bill expands optometrists' ability to administer certain drugs by allowing intravenous, sub-Tenon, retrobulbar, and intravitreal injections, which were previously prohibited. It removes previous restrictions on administering oral antivirals and introduces a new provision that limits oral steroid prescriptions to 14 days without physician consultation. The bill also eliminates the previous specific limitation on oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor prescriptions. The changes aim to provide optometrists with slightly broader pharmaceutical prescribing and treatment capabilities while still maintaining restrictions on more invasive procedures like surgery and the prescription of certain controlled substances. This modification reflects an evolving understanding of optometrists' clinical capabilities and seeks to provide more flexible treatment options within their professional scope of practice.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1144&ssn=0&y=2025