CS/CS/HB 239 Summary

• Authorizes certified optometrists to administer and prescribe topical ocular pharmaceutical agents after completing board-approved training and examination on general and ocular pharmaceutical agents.

• Establishes a statutory formulary of oral ocular pharmaceutical agents (analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-glaucoma agents) that certified optometrists may prescribe, with certain restrictions including 72-hour limits on some medications and physician consultation requirements.

• Prohibits certified optometrists from administering or prescribing Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, and from prescribing drugs for systemic diseases.

• Requires reporting of adverse incidents occurring from prescribed oral ocular pharmaceutical agents to the Department of Health within 15 days, with potential disciplinary action by the Board of Optometry.

• Authorizes certified optometrists to perform eye examinations including dilated examinations, perform postoperative care co-management with written patient consent and transfer of care letters, and remove superficial foreign bodies and eyelashes.