Allowing individuals who have never gone to Medical School to perform LASER eye surgery without training and having used only a model eye is malpractice and a disservice to the citizens of Virginia! The Journal of the American Medical Association published 2 articles 2021 and 2024 stating that patients seen by allied professionals “ODs, PAs and NPs” MUST have alternating visits with MDs because they are not qualified to function without direct medical supervision.  ODs are not required to have a college degree and Optometry school is in NO WAY COMPARABLE to Medical School. Ophthalmologists complete 12 to 13 years of training and are required to pass a series of rigorous exams for Board Certification. Only the Ophthalmology Boards are certified by the American College of Graduate Medical Education ( ACGME). The Optometry “ Board” certification cannot qualify for ACGME certification because of the paucity of skills and training received in their limited 6 year education that does not include surgical or hospital rotations!

DO NOT ALLOW ODs to lower the standards of surgery and endanger the sight of generations of  Virginians!! 

Protect the citizens of Virginia and their eyes from ODs who want to overstep Medical School and declare themselves Laser Eye Surgeons without proper education and training.