Optometrists are able to perform "surgery" in Oklahoma

This is one of those defining issues that directly affect the public,
but I have not seen much in the way of public debate.

The state of Oklahoma has added the word "surgery" to the optometric
scope of practice. This does not allow ODs to immediately start
wielding scalpels, but allows the appropriate government agency to add
surgical procedures to the ODs repertoire. As of today, no new
surgical procedures have been defined as OD appropriate.

This is an extension of Oklahoma allowing ODs to perform laser eye
surgery so long as it does not include an incision. PRK and posterior
capsulotomy are a couple of these laser-only procedures that
optometrists in Oklahoma have been successfully performing for some
time.

This was THE topic at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive
Surgery meeting recently. Ophthalmology is very much up in arms about
this. In response, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is banning
all optometrists from attending any educational meetings or
conventions.

The following is press release may be of interest:
For more information, go to www.oaop.com/media/2004/040422.html.


Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org
http://www.ComplicatedEyes.org

I am not a doctor.