This report originally appeared in the June 2010 issue of DOTmed Business News

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin has signed into law S.230, a bill expanding the scope of practice for optometrists. The West Virginia Optometric Association approved of the law, saying it will allow patients more access to vision care from a local doctor of optometry.

According to the new rules, an optometrist may administer or prescribe any drug for topical application for use in the examination, diagnosis or treatment of diseases and conditions of the human eye and its appendages; administer or prescribe any drug from the drug formulary for use in the examination, diagnosis or treatment of diseases and conditions of the human eye and its appendages; prescribe and dispense contact lenses; furnish or provide any prosthetic device to correct or relieve any defects or abnormal conditions of the human eye and its appendages; use a diagnostic laser, and order laboratory tests rational to the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of a disease or condition of the human eye and appendages.
A clause allowing optometrists to use a therapeutic laser to treat glaucoma was removed by the state House prior to the bill going to the governor. The clause had been very controversial, as ophthalmologists had opposed expanding optometrists' practice to include laser surgeries. Ophthalmologists attend medical school, internship and residency after an undergraduate degree and then become licensed. Optometrists obtain an undergraduate degree followed by four years of optometry school to become licensed.

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