Heated testimony as committee hears pros and cons of allowing optometrists to perform three eye‑laser procedures

Summary

The EDNA committee heard hours of divided testimony on HB 349, a bill that would let certified optometrists perform three in‑office laser procedures after board certification; supporters said the change would improve access and continuity, while ophthalmologists and the medical society warned of patient‑safety and training shortfalls.

House Bill 349 drew one of the longest and most contested hearings of the EDNA session, with optometrists, ophthalmologists, medical‑society leaders and public‑health witnesses testifying for hours before the committee sent the bill to subcommittee for further work.

What the bill would allow: HB 349 authorizes the Board of Registration in Optometry to certify optometrists to perform three specified in‑office laser procedures once an optometrist meets board‑set education, training and supervised proctoring criteria. The three procedures discussed in testimony were: (1) YAG laser capsulotomy (to clear a cloudy membrane that can form after cataract surgery), (2) selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for some glaucoma patients, and (3) laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) for angle‑closure risk.

Proponents’ case: Sponsors and optometrist witnesses said the curriculum at accredited colleges of optometry includes didactic and clinical training for these lasers, that many optometrists already have training or live‑patient experience in states that allow the procedures, and that authorization would improve access to timely care — especially in rural areas and for telehealth continuity. Representative Katie Petternel, introducing the…

Heated testimony as committee hears pros and cons of allowing optometrists to perform three eye‑laser procedures

Summary

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