According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association and Federation of State Medical Boards, legislation is pending in Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas, to authorize optometrists to perform surgical procedures, administer injections around the eyes and/or prescribe more medications, including some controlled substances. The AAO and local ophthalmology groups are opposing the bills.

Doctors opposing similar legislation in Florida and West Virginia recently won victories in their battles.

The proposed West Virginia bill was illustrative: it sought to authorize optometrists to perform surgical procedures, inject drugs and Botox, and prescribe medications, including some controlled substances and new contact lenses that dispense medicine.

Of course, optometrists beg to differ and allege physicians are using improper “scare” tactics.

Read the full article here ^[1] in American Medical News.