Optometry changes (new law)

Optometry definitions first written in 1915 will be updated, under a new law signed May 1 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Under the new law, an optometrist is defined 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, deficiency, deformity, or abnormality of the human eye and adnexa included in the curricula of accredited schools or colleges of optometry.”

The law also changes practice and licensing requirements for optometrists. For example, it prohibits 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” will be changed to “endorsement” to clarify the process for those coming from other states to practice optometry in Minnesota. An application fee of $87 would be required for those seeking a state license.

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

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

• successful completion of written and practical examinations for licensure in the applicant’s original state of licensure;

• 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.

Optometrists licensed in the state prior to Aug. 1, 2007, will have to meet the board certification requirements by Aug. 1, 2010, to renew their license.

Rep. Cy Thao (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick) sponsor the law.

HF2837*/SF3258/CH262