The Solution
Washington’s scope of practice laws should be revised to align more closely with the regulatory approach taken in other states. This would allow optometrists to provide the care they have been trained to provide to their patients.
HOW WASHINGTON’S OPTOMETRIC SCOPE OF PRACTICE LAWS SHOULD BE UPDATED TO INCREASE ACCESS AND REDUCE COST
Proposed changes include:
Clarifying ambiguous language regarding what is and what is not included in the scope of practice of optometry;
Expanding the medications optometrists may prescribe to keep consistent with national standards, including oral steroids;
Expanding the range of therapeutic procedures an optometrist may perform to keep consistent with national standards including injections and eyelid lesion removals;
Authorizing the Board of Optometry to conduct rulemaking regarding procedures and educational standards within the scope of practice created by the legislation, much like other professional boards do.
