Committee approves bill allowing optometrists to dispense and sell eye medications at point of care

The House Health Committee voted to pass a substitute to Senate Bill 140 (LC520836S), which would permit optometrists in Georgia to dispense and sell medications they are authorized to prescribe for the eye and ocular adnexa, excluding controlled dangerous substances.

The sponsor said the measure does not expand prescriptive authority; rather, it allows optometrists to provide the prescribed drug at the point of care so patients can receive immediate treatment. The sponsor and witnesses described clinical scenarios — corneal abrasions, foreign bodies, contact‑lens complications — where immediate access to certain drops can reduce pain and improve outcomes.

Aubrey Valange of the optometry community told the committee the substitute incorporates suggested amendments from the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency to include optometrists in the practitioner definition and to require compliance with Board of Pharmacy reporting requirements. “It just makes sense that we play by the same rules that everybody else does and we accepted all those amendments,” Valange said.

Optometrist John Whitlow, who said he has practiced in LaGrange for 32 years, described clinical situations where patients need immediate access to specific drops and cited examples such as 1 percent cyclogel and drug‑delivering contact lenses and punctal plugs. He said enabling optometrists to dispense would improve pain control and adherence.

The sponsor indicated cooperation from stakeholders and said Representative Gamble has agreed to carry the bill in the House if it passes. Committee members recorded no opposition during the hearing and approved the substitute by voice vote. The transcript shows the committee passed LC520836S.