Senate Bill 174 by Sen. Whatley, McClendon, Scofield, Shelnutt, Beasley and Holley has been introduced into the 2021 legislature and sent to the Governmental Affairs Committee for consideration.
The bill proposes adding the following procedures to the practice of optometry:
- Injections, excluding injections into the posterior chamber of the eye to treat any macular or retinal disease.
- Incision and removal of chalazion.
- Removal and biopsy of skin lesions involving the lid and adnexa.
- Laser capsulotomy.
- Laser trabeculoplasty.
- Laser peripheral iridotomy.
- Corneal crosslinking.
In addition, the bill would give sole authority to the Alabama Board of Optometry to determine what constitutes the practice of optometry.
The Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology opposes this bill.
Please contact your senator to tell them the danger this would represent for Alabama patients. You can visit https://alabamamedicine.org/advocacy/find-your-legislator/ to find the contact information for your local senator.
