© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bill Would Permit Optometrists To Perform Surgery

Jonny Hawkins

A state senator Thursday proposed a bill that would allow optometrists to perform surgical procedures, rekindling a long-running political battle between optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, filed the bill (SB 1168) for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 7. Optometrists and ophthalmologists have repeatedly fought about what procedures optometrists should be allowed to perform — an issue known as " scope of practice."

Optometrists won a victory in 2013 when the Legislature approved allowing them to prescribe oral medications. But ophthalmologists have argued that optometrists do not have the same level of training as ophthalmologists. 

Copyright 2017 Health News Florida

You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.