HB 402 Summary

• Expands the scope of optometry practice to include prescribing and administering narcotic analgesics under the Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act, except for Schedule I, II, and certain Schedule III narcotics (excluding hydrocodone, which is prohibited; other Schedule III agents limited to 96-hour prescriptions).

• Authorizes optometrists to perform specified procedures including injections (excluding posterior chamber injections), chalazion removal, skin lesion biopsy, and laser procedures (capsulotomy, trabeculoplasty, peripheral iridotomy, and corneal crosslinking).

• Prohibits optometrists from performing eyeball injections, cataract surgery, muscle surgery, retinal surgery, radial keratotomy, refractive laser surgery, cryosurgery, or other invasive ophthalmic surgeries requiring general anesthesia.

• Grants the Alabama Board of Optometry sole authority to determine what constitutes optometry practice and sole jurisdiction over optometrists, preventing other state agencies from defining the scope of practice.

• Clarifies the Board of Optometry as a certifying board under the Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act, with exceptions as limited by optometry regulations, and authorizes the board to issue advisory opinions and declaratory rulings.