Governor signs GA HB 235 into law

Article

The new Georgia law allows ODs to prescribe steroids, hydracodone, and all medications using any distribution method except surgical or injectable, plus requires all ODs to take CE regardless of age.

Atlanta, GA-Georgia governor Nathan Deal (R) yesterday signed into law HB 235. The new law is effective immediately and:
• Allows optometrists to prescribe corticosteroids for up to 14 days.
• Allows optometrists to prescribe hydrocodone for up to 48 hours regardless of any changes to federal reclassification of the medication.
• Allows optometrists to prescribe all medication using any appropriate distribution method except surgical or injectable, including any new vehicles to administer medications, such as nasal sprays, contact lenses, etc.
• Requires all optometrists to take continuing education regardless of age.

Recent Videos
Optometrists reflect on their residency experiences and provide advice to current residents.
EnVision Summit Co-chairs Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO; Katie Rachon, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO; Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO; and Cecelia Koetting, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO; express excitement for the upcoming conference and why optometrists should attend.
Bonnie An Henderson, MD, the cofounder and program director of EnVision Summit
What was the biggest innovation in eye care in 2024?
In 2 weeks, the study participant's dry eye symptoms improved from 76 to 43 on a 0-100 rating scale, according to Marc-Matthias Schulze, PhD, Dipl Ing.
Eye care practitioners reported moderate to high satisfaction with lifitegrast's ability to improve signs of dry eye, according to Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS.
Neda Gioia, OD, CNS, FOWNS, details the positive feedback gained so far from other optometrists that have been prescribing the NutriTears supplement to their dry eye patients.
Damaris Raymondi, OD, FAAO, highlighted the importance of building patient-doctor trust to learn about these practices, which can include non-traditional treatments like chamomile or manuka honey eye drops.
Noreen Shaikh, OD, Magdalena Stec, OD, FAAO, and Brenda Bohnsack, MD, PhD, emphasize that collaboration and communication are key to proper diagnosis and treatment.
Cecilia Koetting, OD, FAAO, DipABO, cited data from a recent student that found that presbyopia treatment with 0.4% pilocarpine led to up to 86% of patients achieving 20/40 or better.
Related Content
Politician reading policy at desk Image credit: AdobeStock/photobyphotoboy

Legislature passed by US House and Senate to include optometrists to physician pay scale

Jordana Joy, Associate Editor
December 20th 2024
Article
You and Eye: Vision training research in eSports - with Tiffany Tsoi, OD, FAAO

You and Eye: Vision training research in eSports - with Tiffany Tsoi, OD, FAAO

Miriam Korik, OD;Tiffany Tsoi, OD;Emily Kaiser Maharjan, Assistant Managing Editor
December 4th 2024
Podcast
Adult with eye patched for amblyopia treatment Image credit: AdobeStock/AndreyPopov

Study discovers correlation between fluoxetine and visual acuity improvement in adults with amblyopia

Lynda Charters
December 19th 2024
Article
You and Eye by Optometry Times with host Miriam Korik, OD

You and Eye: Myopia cannot be viewed as a specialty in today's practice setting

Miriam Korik, OD;Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO;Emily Kaiser Maharjan, Assistant Managing Editor
October 18th 2024
Podcast
Rendition of DNA Image credit: AdobeStock/BillionPhotos.com

New study indicates DNA damage as key factor in AMD

Jordana Joy, Associate Editor
December 18th 2024
Article
Aurion Biotech unveils positive topline data for phase 1/2 study for corneal edema - ©StockPhotoPro.jpeg

Aurion Biotech unveils positive topline results from Phase 1/2 trial of AURN001 for corneal edema

David Hutton, Managing Editor, Ophthalmology Times
December 18th 2024
Article
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.