The state’s Office of Professional Regulation has come around to supporting the expansion of optometry’s practice scope after opposing it back in 2020.

After nearly three decades, the jurisdiction could join the 47 US states where ODs can currently prescribe and administer these drugs.

The new regulation follows a unanimous decision by the state’s licensing board that this procedure falls within the profession’s scope of practice.

No adverse reactions occurred, and 99% of patients reported subjective improvement in vision.

This includes those for influenza, COVID-19 and shingles. The law takes effect in 60 days.

The proposed bill would permit ODs to perform capsulotomy, trabeculoplasty and LPI, as well as remove certain lesions, give injections and prescribe additional pharmaceutical agents.

However, the study makes no mention of reduced waiting period when booking appointments with optometrists and other factors relating to the quality, affordability and availability of care.

Respondents reported that 89% of patients were able to be seen by their optometrist within a week after cataract surgery, while only 9% could see an ophthalmologist that soon.

The law takes effect tomorrow. In New Hampshire, a bill allowing ODs to administer certain vaccinations heads to the governor’s desk, while New Jersey and Nebraska continue to advocate for legislation proposing the use of optometric lasers.

The identical bills would allow the state’s ODs to perform capsulotomy, SLT, LPI and lesion removal. It would also expand vaccine and prescription authority.