HB 1952

The "Optometry Law"" provides for the regulation of the practice of optometry in this state, creating the board of optometry (""board"") to regulate such profession through rules, regulations, policies, and procedures not inconsistent with such law. Under such law, the practice of optometry is defined. This bill revises the present law definition to clarify that the practice includes treatment of the eyes, eyelids, and the eye's adnexa and all of the following:  The application of LASER assisted procedures in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of a condition or disease of the anterior segment of the eyelid, eye, or eye's adnexa.  The use of anterior chamber paracentesis in an emergency situation requiring immediate reduction of pressure inside the eye.  The use of a local anesthetic to treat changes in the eye's adnexa as a result of non-pathological aging.  The use of local anesthesia by injection in performing intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal pharmaceuticals for the aesthetic mitigation of non-pathological aging facial tissue. Further, this bill clarifies that the practice of optometry generally includes the performance of a surgical procedure for the correction and relief of an ocular abnormality. However, all of the following procedures are prohibited:  Retina laser procedures, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).  Non-laser surgery related to removal of the eye from a living human being.  Non-laser surgery requiring full thickness incision or excision of the cornea or sclera other than paracentesis in an emergency situation requiring immediate reduction of the pressure inside the eye.  Penetrating keratoplasty, also known as a corneal transplant, or lamellar keratoplasty.  Non-laser surgery requiring incision of the iris and ciliary body.  Non-laser surgery requiring incision of the vitreous.  Non-laser surgery requiring incision of the retina.  Non-laser surgical extraction of the crystalline lens.  Incisional or excisional non-laser surgery of the extraocular muscles.  Non-laser surgery of the eyelid for an eyelid malignancy, for incisional cosmetic, or mechanical repair of blepharochalasis, ptosis, and tarsorrhaphy.  Non-laser surgery of the bony orbit.  Incisional or excisional non-laser surgery of the lacrimal system other than punctal dilation, lacrimal probing, lacrimal irrigation, placement of punctal plugs, or other approved therapeutic devices.  Non-laser surgery requiring full thickness conjunctivoplasty with graft or flap.  A laser procedure into the vitreous chamber of the eye to treat vitreous, retinal, or macular disease.  The administration of general anesthesia.  Cataract surgery. USE OF LOCAL ANESTHETIC Present law describes the manner in which an optometrist may use a local anesthetic in conjunction with the optometrist's practice. Generally, an optometrist who uses a local anesthetic in such manner must provide to the board proof that the optometrist has current CPR certification by an organization approved by the board. However, the optometrist may meet this requirement by, instead, providing proof to the board that another person who has current CPR certification will be present in the office of t he optometrist at all times that a local anesthetic is used by the optometrist in conjunction with the treatment of an eyelid lesion. This bill removes this exception. STANDARD OF CARE This bill provides that an optometrist must be held to the same standard of care as that of other physicians providing similar services. ON MARCH 12, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2076, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 clarifies that an optometrist is prohibited from performing the following surgeries, whether or not such surgery is performed by laser:  Surgery related to removal of the eye from a living human being.  Surgery requiring full thickness incision or excision of the cornea or sclera, other than paracentesis in an emergency situation requiring immediate reduction of the pressure inside the eye.  Surgery requiring incision of the iris and ciliary body.  Surgery requiring incision of the vitreous.  Surgery requiring incision of the retina.  Surgical extraction of the crystalline lens.  Incisional or excisional surgery of the extraocular muscles.  Surgery of the eyelid for an eyelid malignancy, for incisional cosmetic, or mechanical repair of blepharochalasis, ptosis, and tarsorrhaphy.  Surgery of the bony orbit.  Incisional or excisional surgery of the lacrimal system other than punctal dilation, lacrimal probing, lacrimal irrigation, placement of punctal plugs, or other approved therapeutic devices.  Surgery requiring full thickness conjunctivoplasty with graft or flap. This amendment prohibits an optometrist from performing a procedure that requires intravitreal injections. This amendment requires an optometrist to be certified by the board of optometry (""board"") before performing any LASER procedure. In order to obtain such a certification, an optometrist must provide satisfactory proof to the board that the optometrist h as completed the necessary didactic and clinical training in the use of LASERs from an accredited optometry school or college, including training in the use of LASERs for medically recognized and appropriate treatment of the human eye. RULEMAKING This amendment requires the board to adopt rules governing the certification of optometrists to utilize LASERs. EFFECTIVE DATE This amendment provides that the bill as amended takes effect on becoming a law for the purpose of rule promulgation. For all other purposes, the bill as amended takes effect January 1, 2028. ON MARCH 26, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 2076 FOR HOUSE BILL 1952, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2076, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 incorporates the changes made by Senate Amendment #1 and adds that an optometrist may only perform the following surgical procedures utilizing a LASER: (1) Peripheral iridotomy; (2) Selective laser trabeculoplasty; and (3) YAG capsulotomy."