I recently learned that the General Assembly and Governor have passed legislation allowing non-surgeons to perform surgical procedures, including a pending decision by the Board of Optometry to permit optometrists to conduct laser eye surgeries after only didactic coursework—without hands-on training. I find this decision deeply troubling, as it appears to prioritize factors other than patient safety and quality of care.

As an oculofacial plastic surgeon, I’ve completed extensive training to reach my current level of expertise. Corneal and retina specialists can attest to this rigorous journey as well. We go through years of training that include 4 years of medical school, a one-year internship, three years of residency, and one to two years of fellowship. In contrast, optometrists complete four years of optometry school and then begin their practice. This considerable difference in training is essential for performing complex procedures safely, including laser surgeries on the eye.

The reason we dedicate so many years to this specialized training is to minimize complications and ensure the highest standard of care. When these qualifications are disregarded in policy decisions, we inevitably face greater risks and complications that impact patient safety.

Governor, this raises an important question: Why support residency and fellowship programs at hospitals and medical schools if their training requirements are deemed unnecessary for certain procedures? In Virginia, there are currently 628 ophthalmologists and 1,480 optometrists, a balance that generally aligns with community needs. However, it’s troubling that these policies might now allow those with less training to perform procedures that should be reserved for fully trained specialists.

I would also ask whether, in a personal scenario, the Governor would trust a recent optometry graduate to perform laser surgery on his own eye or that of a family member. Patient safety should be our top priority, and I urge you to reconsider this decision to protect the well-being of our community.