Optometry practice changes

Optometry definitions first written in 1915 would be changed, under a bill passed 129-3 by the House April 14.

Sponsored by Rep. Cy Thao (DFL-St. Paul), HF2837 changes practice and licensing requirements for optometrists. For example, it further defines optometry as any person who shall in any way “prescribe or administer legend drugs to aid in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, prevention, treatment, or management of disease, deformity, or abnormality of the human eye and adnexa included in the curricula of accredited schools or colleges of optometry.”

The bill would prohibit optometrists from:

• administering legend drugs intravenously, intramuscularly or by injection except for the treatment of anaphylaxis;

• performing invasive surgery, including the use of lasers;

• administering or prescribing schedule II and III oral legend drugs and oral steroids;

• administering or prescribing oral antivirals for more than 10 days; or

• administering or prescribing oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to be prescribed or administered more than seven days.

The term “reciprocity” would be changed to “endorsement” to clarify the process for applicants from other states to work in Minnesota. An application fee of $87 would be required for those seeking a state license.

Applicants who apply for state endorsement would be required to provide evidence of:

• having obtained a clinical doctorate degree from a board approved school or college of optometry;

• successful completion of both written and practical examinations for licensure in the applicant’s original state of licensure that thoroughly tested the fitness of the applicant to practice;

• successful completion of an examination of Minnesota state optometry laws;

• compliance with the requirements for board certification;

• compliance with all continuing education required for license renewal in every state in which the applicant currently holds an active license to practice; and

• being in good standing with every state board from which a license has been issued.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick) is the sponsor.