The California Medical Association (CMA) and the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (CAEPS) has filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court to block the implementation of new standards to certify optometrists to treat glaucoma. The regulations, which went into effect January 8, 2011, provide a pathway by which optometrists can complete the entire certification process without having to treat a single patient with glaucoma. The prior process required the treatment of 50 glaucoma patients over two years under the supervision of a board certified ophthalmologist.

The CMA and CAEPS argue that the new regulations jeopardize the quality of eye care for California patients.

Click here ^[1] for the full press release announcing the lawsuit.