Optometrists have been safely performing these procedures in other states for as long as 30 years. The safety data shows that optometrists perform these procedures just as safely as ophthalmologists. There is a growing need for eye care across the country, and there is not a growing number of ophthalmologists. 

The biggest issue with the comments opposing this bill is that they are illogical and trying to take advantage of fear mongering aimed at a general public who might not understand the procedures and training involved.

-The biggest concern posed by ophthalmologist posting in opposition to this bill is the ability to be certified after proctoring on a model eye rather than a live eye. They say that optometrists should be held to the same standards. Yes, they had a lot of live proctoring on procedures during their training. But there are many procedures done in common practice by ophthalmologists that have only been around for a short time. I'd like to ask each of them how many live eyes they were proctored on before they started using those procedures that came about after their residency or fellowship training?  How many of them went back for another residency or fellowship to keep up with new procedures? The answer is none.  

-Another comment I've read more than once is that when complications arise, an ophthalmologist is more prepared and capable to deal with the complications. I read a list of complications from these laser procedures that included elevated intraocular pressure, bleeding, and retinal detachment. I'd like to ask any ophthalmologist who isn't a vitreoretinal surgeon how many retinal detachments they have repaired versus sending the patient to a vitreoretinal surgeon (as an optometrist would)? 

-The description of optometrists as "non-surgeons" wanting to perform "surgery" is designed to mislead. The fact that it is THE comment I see more than any other from the lay people commenting shows how effective that line of arguing has been. Did you know that plucking an eyelash is coded as a surgery under the CPT guidelines? Removing a foreign body from the surface of the eye? Optometrist have been performing minor surgical procedures that they are trained to do for ages. And guess what? Optometrists are being trained very well to perform these laser procedures now. The training of an optometrist has evolved massively in the last few decades. The generalization or surgeon vs non-surgeon is pointless. Optometrists are seeking to do procedures they are trained to do, and that optometrists in other states are doing (and have been doing for years).