Amendment #502 to H4400

Treatment of Glaucoma

Representatives Jones of North Reading, Hill of Ipswich, Poirier of North Attleborough, Gifford of Wareham, Frost of Auburn and Smola of Warren move to amend the bill by inserting the following section:-

“SECTION XX. 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 oral anti-infective medications.

Nothing in this section shall permit optometric utilization of or prescription of (i) therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of systematic 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 injections.

Within 90 days of the effective date of this act, the Board of Registration in Optometry is hereby directed to determine all professional and education requirements necessary to provide optometric treatment of glaucoma and the prescription of all oral anti-infective medications.

Prior to any Massachusetts licensed optometrists utilizing said glaucoma medications and all oral anti-infective 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 or 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.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #502 to H4400

Treatment of Glaucoma