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Committee approves bill standardizing optometrist exam intervals and eyeglass prescription validity
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Summary
The committee returned SB 1023 with a due‑pass recommendation. The bill codifies best practices for optometrists: recommended exam interval of one year and flexibility for optometrists to extend eyeglass prescriptions up to two years, with shorter validity for higher‑risk patients; contact‑lens prescriptions excluded.
The House Health and Human Services committee voted to return Senate Bill 10 23 with a due‑pass recommendation after testimony from optometry representatives.
Logan introduced the bill, saying it "establishes standards for optometrists to conduct eye examinations according to community standards of care with a recommended examination interval of 1 year" and allows optometrists to extend eyeglass‑prescription validity up to two years, with adjustments based on patient risk factors.
Don Isaacson, testifying for the Arizona Optometric Association, said the bill codifies best practices and clarifies the length of prescription validity, noting many states use a two‑year timeframe. "What this bill does is codify best practices," Isaacson said, and he emphasized the bill affects optometrists (who perform most basic eye care) and does not cover contact‑lens prescriptions.
Amber Dunn, executive director of the Arizona Optometric Association, was present and introduced by Isaacson. A committee member thanked a constituent and blind‑community advocates who had worked on the bill for years.
Vice Chair moved the bill; roll call returned 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present, 1 absent and the committee returned SB 10 23 with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee noted the unusually fast pace of hearing multiple bills and adjourned.
Supporters described SB 10 23 as a clarifying, noncontroversial measure to align state practice with commonly used exam and prescription intervals; no opponents testified.
