General thoughts

-Optometrists are educated, trained and certified to perform the procedures outlined in the regulations

-Draft regulations as presented were developed with input from optometry and ophthalmology and should be supported as presented

General facts

-12 states include in-office laser procedures by optometrists

-More than 146,000 procedures have been performed by optometrists across the country

-Optometrists train for nearly 10,000 hours to learn how to diagnose and treat glaucoma, cataracts and other diseases.

It’s not uncommon for medical professionals, including optometrists, to participate in continuing education programs to

enhance their profession and scope of work. While more is involved than a “weekend course,” when these common laser

procedures are combined with other training, they are a part of the overall eye care services provided by optometrists.

-Virginia has almost 2X more optometrists than ophthalmologists, making access to these procedures less burdensome to the working poor.