News from the AOA's Blog

With a stroke of Gov. Steve Beshear’s pen late yesterday, the Commonwealth of Kentucky took an historic step forward in providing optometric patients with assured access to the quality eye health care that they need and deserve.  

The landmark Better Access to Quality Eye Care Act (S.B. 110) was approved by large bi-partisan majorities in both chambers of the Kentucky legislature last week and, with the governor’s signature, is now law. The Kentucky legislation authorizes:

• The Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners to have the sole authority to determine what constitutes the practice of optometry
• The treatment, including laser and non-laser surgical procedures, of diseases, disorders, or conditions of the eye and its appendages within the scope of a licensee’s education and training as approved by the board of optometry 
  • As outlined in the law, there are certain procedures that are specifically excluded from the scope of practice (for example, Retina laser procedures, LASIK, and PRK and others)
• All relevant drugs need to treat those conditions via any route of administration with the exclusion of Schedule I and II controlled narcotic substances
• Optometrists will be permitted, in a public health emergency, to administer vaccinations or immunizations for systemic health reasons (Kentucky is the first state in the nation to permit optometrists to do this).

“Patients – especially in Kentucky’s rural communities – will be able to depend on their hometown eye doctor to treat their eye health needs efficiently, effectively and safely,” said Joe Ellis, O.D., who practices in Benton, Ky., and is the president of the AOA. “Senate Bill 110 will allow doctors of optometry to provide the latest and best technology in treating their patients. Patients would be able to receive treatment in the office rather than forcing them to travel to another doctor.”

After signing the bill into law, Gov. Beshear said: “Access to quality health care is a critical issue for families across the Commonwealth.  After careful consideration, along with meetings with many interested parties, today I signed Senate Bill 110 to give Kentuckians greater access to necessary eye care.”   

To read Gov. Beshear’s complete statement, visit:http://www.governor.ky.gov/pressrelease.htm?PostingGUID=%7B34E80BE8-EAF3-40FA-B1F0-10AF29A2763B%7D.

The Better Access to Quality Eye Care Act was supported by the Kentucky Optometric Association and patients from communities across the Bluegrass State.   For more information, visit http://www.kyeyes.org/.