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House approves bill letting optometrists perform limited treatments under supervision, citing rural access
Summary
The House passed House Bill 168 to allow optometrists, under Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing rules and ophthalmologist supervision, to administer topical antimicrobials and remove shallow foreign objects in certain cases; debate focused on rural access and patient-safety concerns.
The Utah House approved House Bill 168 after floor debate about patient safety and rural access to eye care. The bill authorizes optometrists, under a new seven-member licensing board and supervising ophthalmologists, to perform limited medical procedures such as administering topical antimicrobial agents and removing foreign objects no deeper than the anterior half of the cornea.
Representative Jerry Jensen, who introduced the measure, said the bill mirrors elements of the physician-assistant law and is designed to expand access to care in rural counties that lack ophthalmologists. "The real benefit to this bill is going to be to the rural areas of this state," Jensen said, noting that many optometrists already serve communities without specialists.
Opponents and questioners urged caution. Representative Jones recounted constituent cases where postoperative complications were not recognized by local providers and cited instances of sight loss; he urged the House to ensure adequate training and supervision. Representative Reece Hunter declared a conflict of interest, noting he is a practicing optometrist; the body recorded the conflict for the floor record.
Supporters said the bill includes limits, supervisory requirements and a board at the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing to set licensing details and protocols. After debate and a previous-question motion, the House voted to approve HB 168 as amended; the tally reported in the transcript was 67 affirmative and 1 negative votes. The bill will now go to the Senate for further consideration.
