2011 Ophthalmologist-Optometrist:USA

Ophthalmologists fight optometric scope-of-practice initiatives

ORLANDO, Fla. — Ophthalmologists continue to stand united in efforts to thwart expansion of optometry's scope of practice in the U.S., a speaker said here.
"I am happy to report that in 2011, the [American] Academy [of Ophthalmology] worked closely with state societies to defeat surgical scope expansion in optometry in six states. Subspecialty societies also provided very good support," Gregory L. Skuta, MD, said during Glaucoma Subspecialty Day preceding the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.
The AAO's Secretariat for State Affairs and various state societies have spearheaded lobbying efforts to remove surgical provisions from scope-of-practice bills in states including Idaho, Maine, Texas and West Virginia, Dr. Skuta said.

In March, the Kentucky legislature passed a bill that expands optometric scope of practice to include some injections and minor extraocular surgical procedures. The law also allows the creation of an independent optometric board with sole jurisdiction over scope of practice in Kentucky.
"What happened this year in Kentucky should be a wake-up call for all of us," Dr. Skuta said.
The AAO's Surgical Scope fund is devoted to defeating statewide efforts to widen the optometric scope of practice. OphthPAC, the AAO's political action committee, has been organizing ophthalmology's advocacy on Capitol Hill for 25 years.
Dr. Skuta suggested that ophthalmologists forge strong personal relationships with state legislators and other key decision makers. Ophthalmologists should also work closely with their colleagues, state societies and other advocates, he said.

• Disclosure: Dr. Skuta is a consultant for Alcon and a contributor to OPHTHPAC.

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Comment by Dr. Sultan kahtani M.D,FRCS.Ed -- December 17, 2011 04:20 PM No body minds who treats patients MR smith or brown. BUT every body who has simple basic logical thinking Know for sure that Ophthalmologist treat patient medically and surgically,while Optometrist do not do that as there title denote. 15 years ago I was astonished to what was happening in the U.S some optometrists behave as Ophthalmologist!?? that was unbelievable and non rational. It was a big miss. I myself encourage every Optometrist who want to behave as an ophthalmologist to work for it, go through steps known to lead to becoming an ophthalmologist. We know several names who started in different field e.g they finished Engineering then they did medical school followed by Ophthalmology training. now they can treat patients, not only that but because they have double specialties (Engineering e.g & Ophthalmology) they became special and capable of making special contributions in medicine because of there double qualifications and combining two experiences. optometry is strongly linked to ophthalmology and perhaps to strabismology ..... welcome dear opto. to the world of ophtha.practice but ONLY through the appropriate channels. Believe it or don`t we face the impact of this crises (happening in U.S -Kentucky)on the 3de world were I work. U.S is leader in medicine and others no doubt. although my work is 100% at governmental hospital I suffer the bad impact of optometrists have internal feeling that they have the wright to practice as ophthalmologists do. The Victim is the patient and this is not only malpractice issue but an insanity and break down of civilization. who is expected to till what is write and safe for the patient EXCEPT the medical doctor (the Ophthalmologist). It is my duty to defend patients not only from diseases but of course from such a misery. ( It is not fight it is duty and an Obligation wither my son or daughter is an optometrist or els), Please understand the consequences of some body legally behave as medical doctor while he is not.

Comment by Dr. Hartwell -- November 12, 2011 10:39 AM I won''t be a professional bigot and deny optometrists the title of "Doctor", giving due benefit to the term''s definition and a professional''s right to excel in their field, but I believe that there should be a clear-cut distinction between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists just as Dentists are distinct from Otorhinolaryngologists. I respect that Optometrists may be more skilled at refraction than I am, but being able to prescribe medication was already stretching it. Now, attempting at doing surgeries is blatant and unprofessional encroachment. I can''t begin to elaborate on the dangers of Optometrists prescribing medication without full understanding of systemic physiology, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions, what more for doing surgeries and facing complications? In the US, Optometry may be an updated and advanced science but that fact may not be globally true. And the fact remains that what happens in the US provides precedence for other countries. It is not "meaningless" and it is not as simple as a "can''t-we-just-get-along" sentiment. For the sake of the patient, whose vision and quality of life are at stake, lines have to be drawn, universally and concretely.

Comment by Anna Optometrist -- November 8, 2011 05:45 AM There should be scope of practice, which is derived from the skills learnt at University, and Optometrists and Ophthalmologists should work together. Referring when neccesary to each other for the good of the patient. This will make sure that you spend your time doing the things that you do better than the other speciality. Stop being second grade ophthalmologists and start being first grade optometrists