Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the scope of practice for optometrists in Minnesota. This involves expanding and clarifying what optometrists are allowed to do in their professional practice under Minnesota law.

Main Provisions

• The bill defines the practice of optometry, which includes the advertising of services as an optometrist, and the use of devices like autorefractors for measuring vision.
• Optometrists are authorized to diagnose diseases, deficiencies, or deformities related to the human eye.
• They can prescribe lenses, prisms, and conduct visual and muscular anomaly treatments.
• The bill allows optometrists to prescribe or administer legend drugs, which are medications not available over-the-counter, for eye-related conditions.
• Certain restrictions are placed on optometrists:
  • They cannot administer legend drugs intravenously, intramuscularly, or by injection, except in anaphylaxis cases.
  • Invasive surgeries, including laser surgery, are prohibited.
  • The use of Schedule II and III oral medications, oral steroids, and certain oral antivirals and inhibitors are restricted in duration of use.

Significant Changes

• The bill specifies limitations on how optometrists can prescribe and administer different forms of legend drugs, particularly restricting methods like intramuscular injections and time limits on some oral drug prescriptions.
• It clarifies the types of surgeries optometrists are prohibited from performing, aligning with standards from the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons.

Relevant Terms

optometrist, autorefractors, legend drugs, invasive surgery, anaphylaxis, Schedule II drugs, Schedule III drugs, oral antivirals, oral steroids, American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons