Eye surgery access to expand in West Virginia in July

Eye surgery access to expand in West Virginia in July

Optometrists, the doctors who diagnose and treat eyes, will soon be able to perform some surgeries that only ophthalmologists, or eye surgeons, could handle, thanks to Senate Bill 565 that became law without Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s signature on April 30.

West Virginia Expands Eye Care Access with Passage of Senate Bill 565

On May 1, West Virginia became the 14th state in the U.S. to allow certified optometrists in the state to perform capsulotomy, SLT, LPI and various surgical procedures. This is a significant piece of legislation expands optometrists’ scope of practice to the full extent of their education and training. This is a victory for optometrists and their patients, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. ABOUT THE LAW Many residents in these r…