SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1996 SESSION

  • | print version

HB 812 Practice of Optometry.

Introduced by: John S. Reid | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY:

Practice of optometry. Transfers authority for the certification of optometrists to administer therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of certain diseases and abnormal conditions of the eye and its adnexa from the Board of Medicine to the Board of Optometry. This provision defines the permissible treatment modalities as including, after consultation with the patient's physician or other appropriate physician, treatment of glaucoma, except for congenital and infantile glaucoma. Treatment of angle closure glaucoma is limited to initiation of immediate emergency care. The therapeutic pharmaceuticals would be limited to (i) analgesics on Schedules III and VI to alleviate ocular pain, (ii) prescriptions for seventy-two hours, and (iii) topically applied Schedule VI drugs. No surgery or invasive procedures would be allowed; however, emergency administration of epinephrine, such as that contained in a bee sting kit, for anaphylactic shock would be authorized. The Board of Optometry must consult with experts prior to promulgating the specific details of its regulations, such as standards and training requirements. The regulations relating to the lists of therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, treatment guidelines, and the determination of specific diseases and abnormal conditions of the eye and its adnexa which may be treated by TPA-certified optometrists are exempt from the Administrative Process Act in order to facilitate necessary revisions; however, the Board is required to conduct a public hearing and to notify relevant parties. The Board of Medicine regulations for TPA-certified optometrists in effect on January 1, 1996, shall continue until the Board of Optometry adopts regulations and the regulations become effective.


FULL TEXT

AMENDMENTS

HISTORY