I am writing in support of the optometry proposal as submitted without any changes.  Optometric education and training supports the regulation requirements of 2 proctored sessions per procedure.  There are currently 12 states that allow in-office laser procedures by optometrists and more than 146,000 procedures have been performed by optometrists across the country to date.  Virginia, as other states, has almost twice the number of optometrists than ophthalmologist, making access to theses procedures less burdensome to the working poor.  All optometrists must become certified with hands-on training and pass a national certification examination before performing these laser procedures on patients.