Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the definition of optometry to allow for the practice of additional procedures.

Highlights:

• Establishes an exception for licensed optometrists to use ophthalmic lasers in certain procedures (Sec. 1).

• Expands the definition of the “practice of optometry” to include the following (Sec. 2):

• Injections, excluding intravenous or intraocular injections;

• Incision and curettage of a chalazion;

• Removal and biopsy of skin lesions with low risk of malignancy, excluding lesions involving the lid margin or nasal to the puncta;

• Laser capsulotomy; and

• Laser trabeculoplasty.

• Establishes it to be a duty of the State Board of Optometry to establish credential requirements for the licensee to be able to administer or perform the procedures as listed above (Sec. 3).

• Requires that optometrists performing authorized laser procedures report the results of the procedures to the State Board of Optometry and Department of Health (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text