Dear Legislators,

I am concerned about a dangerous new proposal that would allow non physicians to perform procedures on the eyes of patients in Virginia. As an academic physician, teacher, and surgeon, I urge you to review publications and data that point to poor outcomes and frank harm that can occur to patients who have procedures by those who do not undergo rigorous training, board examination, and licensing. I have been training young surgeons for over 10 years and I can attest to the fact that it takes years of education and training to perform eye laser procedures safely.

Physician and non physician eye care providers work very well in a number of settings and complement one another's work, but procedures are very delicate and a non physician cannot replace a physician in this capacity.

I am worried about patients with less education and fewer resources to understand who is providing their care. There are misconceptions about who physicians and non physicians are. These patients are vulnerable. Many of them are from lower socioeconomic levels and from minority groups in VA. Please protect our patients.

Mona Kaleem, MD

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Johns Hopkins University

President  - Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons