As a current practicing optometrist who participates in the training and education of ophthalmologists and optometrists, I fully support the draft as written. Optometrists like myself are highly qualified individuals with more than sufficient training to perform these procedures. I am trained and licensed to perform these procedures along with many other optometrists. 

Unfortunately there is a misinformation campaign by some of my ophthalmology colleagues that disparages my profession and the work that optometrists do for our patients. It is unfortunate that the greed and lack of knowledge by those opposed to this bill will likely have a worse outcome for patients by spreading misinformation and preventing patients from receiving care. 

I support passage of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry's Laser and Surgical Procedures Examination as a certifying mechanism, or a course approved by the Virginia optometric licensing board to be evidence of appropriate didactic and clinical laser surgery training.

Thank you,

Erick Henderson, OD, FAAO