To whom it may concern,

I recommend you all support draft regulations as presented without any changes. The regulations were developed with input from optometry and ophthalmology and should be supported as presented. Optometrists are educated, trained, and certified to perform the procedures outlined in the regulations. Along with this, In-office lasers have been performed by optometrists since the 1990s and More than 146,000 procedures have been performed by optometrists across the country. Also, this is helping care for more of our patients in Virginia. Virginia has almost 2X more optometrists than ophthalmologists, making access to these procedures less burdensome to the working poor and in rural areas. 
All optometrists must be certified in laser procedures before performing them on patients. To be certified, they must have extensive clinical experience, complete hands-on training and pass a national certification exam. Thank you.