I fully support the proposed regulations as drafted, without any alterations. These regulations recognize that optometrists are educated, trained, and certified to perform the specified in-office laser procedures safely and effectively. Currently, 12 states authorize optometrists to provide these laser services, and they have proven to be safe and beneficial for patients, with optometrists across the country successfully completing over 146,000 such procedures since the 1990s.

Optometrists undergo nearly 10,000 hours of training in diagnosing and treating glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye conditions, equipping them with the expertise necessary to perform these procedures as part of comprehensive eye care. Additionally, it is common practice for medical professionals, including optometrists, to engage in ongoing continuing education to enhance their skills and expand their scope of practice. While it requires much more than a “weekend course,” integrating laser procedures with other training is a natural and essential progression for optometrists to meet the needs of today’s patients.

In Virginia, where the ratio of optometrists to ophthalmologists is nearly two-to-one, allowing optometrists to perform these procedures will significantly improve access to care, especially for working-class and economically disadvantaged communities. This regulatory change will provide a much-needed boost to accessible eye care, helping Virginians receive timely and quality treatment without undue travel or delay.