Treatment of Glaucoma and other eye related disorders

Section 1: Notwithstanding any general laws to the contrary, Massachusetts optometrists licensed under chapter 94C shall have the authority to treat glaucoma and ocular abnormalities of the human eye and the adjoining and adjacent tissue, as well as prescribe all necessary eye related medications including all anti-infective agents.

Nothing in this section shall permit optometric utilization of or prescription of (i) therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of systemic diseases; (ii) invasive surgical procedures, (iii)pharmaceutical agents administered by sub dermal injection, intramuscular injection, intravenous injection, subcutaneous injection or retro bulbar injection, (iv) opioid medications.

Within 90 days of the effective date of this act, the Board of Registration in Optometry is hereby directed to determine all professional and educational requirements necessary to provide optometric treatment of glaucoma and the prescription of oral anti-infective medications. Any education requirements shall: (i) be administered by the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists (ii) Be approved by an accredited college of optometry or medicine; and (iii) meet guidelines and requirements of the Board of Registration in Optometry

Prior to any Massachusetts licensed optometrist utilizing said glaucoma medications, an optometrist must complete an educational program administered by the Massachusetts Society of Optometrists which shall be  approved by an accredited college of optometry or medicine and shall otherwise meet the guidelines and requirements of the board of registration of optometry. The Board of Registration in Optometry shall provide, to the Department of Public Health and to each successful applicant, a certificate of qualification in the utilization and prescription of all therapeutic pharmaceutical agents necessary to treat glaucoma and all oral anti-infective medications.

Within 90 days after the effective date of this act, the Department of Public Health and the Board of Registration in Optometry shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purpose of this act.