profession
W.Va. governor signs optometry bill
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 19, 2010
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III in April signed into law a measure allowing optometrists to perform surgical procedures and order tests to treat patients with glaucoma. The law, which takes effect June 11, also permits optometrists to identify themselves as "optometric physicians."
Physicians said the measure expands optometrists' scope of practice, despite insufficient medical education and training. The move not only puts patients at risk, but also threatens to confuse them about an optometrist's qualifications, according to an April 2 letter the American Medical Association wrote urging Manchin to veto the bill.
The legislation also drew strong opposition from the West Virginia State Medical Assn. and the West Virginia Academy of Ophthalmology.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/04/19/prbf0419.htm.
