I support the draft regulations as presented without changes and the quality assurance review process as stated.  These regulations were developed with input from a regulatory advisory panel and included input form both optometry and ophthalmology for safe laser practice.  

I have been practicing for almost 18 years and optometrists are properly and highly trained to perform these laser procedures. These laser procedures have been performed by optometrists across the country and Virginia optometrists are trained to perform these procedures as well. 

An article was published this past July 2024 regarding the safety of optometric laser surgery (Lighthizer N, Patel K, Cockrell D, et al. Establishment and review of educational programs to train optometrists in laser procedures and injections. Clin Experiment Optom. July 24, 2024).  This study represents the first published data from multiple decades and numerous states highlighting the competency and safety of ODs performing advanced procedures.  “The outcomes of over 146,403 laser procedures performed by optometrists across the US have shown only two negative outcomes, equating to 0.001%,” the researchers reported.

Again, I support the draft regulations for optometry laser as presented without changes.