New law expands optometrists’ prescribing powers

Article

 

Tallahassee, FL-Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill on April 19 that will allow optometrists to prescribe oral medications, ending a long-running lobbying battle about the issue.

Lawmakers approved House Bill 239 after optometrists and ophthalmologists reached a compromise that included allowing optometrists to prescribe 14 oral medications, such as antibiotics and anti-glaucoma drugs after taking a course and passing an exam. Additionally, the measure clarifies that optometrists cannot perform surgery and requires them to report any adverse medical outcomes to the state, as ophthalmologists are required to do today.

Optometrists had already been able to prescribe topical drugs, but proposals to expand those powers to oral medications ran into years of opposition from ophthalmologists. Optometrists had to refer patients to ophthalmologists for conditions requiring drugs taken by mouth.

The Florida Optometric Association reported that 47 other states allow optometrists to prescribe oral medication to treat eye diseases.

In a news release last week, Ken Lawson, legislative chairman of the Florida Optometric Association, said the bill will help expand access to eyecare. “The end result of this legislation represents a thoroughly-vetted, collective effort on behalf of all impacted parties that will allow Floridians to get the most appropriate treatment for their eye condition from an optometrist,” Lawson said.

Recent Videos
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.
Kerry Giedd, OD, MS, FAAO, was 1 of 20 investigators around the country for a study evaluating the daily disposable contact lens.
According to A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, optometrists have an important opportunity to educate patients in their chairs about diabetes.
David Geffen, OD, FAAO, gave a poster presentation titled "Revolutionizing Comfort: Unveiling the Potential of Perfluorohexyloctane Eyedrops for Contact Lens Wearers" at this year's Academy meeting.
Jessica Steen, OD, FAAO, Dipl-ABO, discussed ophthalmic considerations for patients undergoing treatment with antibody drug conjugates for gynecologic cancers at this year's conference.
A. Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, details a presentation on this year's updates on diabetes given at this year's Academy meeting
Sherrol Reynolds, OD, FAAO, said that multimodel imaging has been a game changer in assessing the choroidal function and structural changes in various disease conditions.
Susan Gromacki, OD, FAAO, FSLS, provides key takeaways from this year's American Academy of Optometry symposium genetics and the cornea.
Roya Attar gives an overview of her presentation, "Decoding the Retina: The Value of Genetic Testing In Inherited Disorders," presented with Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, ABO, ABCMO.
Ian Ben Gaddie, OD, FAAO, outlines key findings from a recent study evaluating lotilaner in patients with Demodex blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction.
© 2024 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.