CS/HB 1037 - Optometry Summary

• Grants the Board of Optometry sole authority to determine what constitutes the practice of optometry and authorizes the board to issue advisory opinions and declaratory rulings on optometry matters.

• Creates new certification category of "Certified Optometrist in Ophthalmic Surgery" requiring board-approved course and examination completion, authorizing certified optometrists to perform laser and non-laser ophthalmic surgery with specific surgical procedures prohibited.

• Modifies oral pharmaceutical agent prescribing requirements for certified optometrists in pharmaceutical agents, including a mandatory 20-hour board-approved course covering pharmaceutical agents and side effects.

• Changes formulary rule effective date from 20 days to 60 days after filing with the Secretary of State and restricts deletion of oral ocular pharmaceutical agents from the statutory formulary.

• Effective date: July 1, 2017.