Legislative Bill 417
On Tuesday January 20th 2009 Legislative Bill 417 was introduced in the Nebraska Legislature by Senator Friend.
The Nebraska Optometric Association has announced their intent to attain scope of practice expansion in our state. Their proposed changes would:
1. Allow prescribing of any pharmaceutical agent rational to diagnosing or treating conditions of the eye, adnexa, or visual system and remove present exclusions and lists of permitted conditions and drugs now contained in the state law.
2. Allow pharmaceutical agents to be administered by injection, as well as topically or orally, by therapeutically-certified licensees.
3. Clarify that the practice of optometry includes prescribing and dispensing cosmetic or plano contact lens classified by the FDA as a drug.
4. Create a new level of certification for licensees which would authorize those doctors qualifying for such certification to perform surgical and non-surgical procedures including employment of laser procedures of the anterior segment of the human eye and adnexa.
5. Authorize the Board of Optometry to establish additional requirements and qualifications for the proposed new level of certification.
We need your support and assistance to continue fighting for your patients’ safety and the safety of the citizen’s of Nebraska. As we continue to fight for the Ophthalmology profession as the most qualified to provide eye care we must advocate that patients receive care from the provider with the most training and experience. We need your help in contacting your State Senator to educate and discuss this critical intention. A complete list of state senators, contact information, and current bills can be found at the State of Nebraska Legislature Website:
To read Legislative Bill 417 please follow the link below
