Facing threats of a lawsuit by ophthalmologists and other MDs, a review panel in the Kentucky legislature has approved proposed regulations spelling out how optometrists can qualify to perform eye surgery, according to a Lexington Herald Leader report.
The plan now goes to another legislative committee and then to the governor for final approval. The legislature and governor already approved a law allowing optometrists to perform eye surgery in February.
Woodford Van Meter, MD, president of the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, said the proposed requirements are set too low and would harm patient safety. The proposal requires optometrists to take 32 hours of training and perform surgery on one eye before they could perform laser eye surgery.
The academy and the Kentucky Medical Association recently filed a complaint with the state on the rule-making process for the regulation, and they have suggested they may file a legal action against the rules. Oklahoma is the only other state to allow optometrists to perform eye surgery.
Related Articles on the Kentucky Law Allowing Optometrists to Perform Eye Surgery:
Kentucky Physicians File Challenge of Plan to Let Optometrists Do Eye Surgery
Kentucky Ophthalmologists Decry Plan for Surgery by Optometrists