SSB 3090 (LSB 5194SC (1) 86)

SENATE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT BILL BY CHAIRPERSON DANIELSON)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the practice of optometry.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 154.1, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2016, is amended to read as follows:
   a.   An optometrist licensed under this chapter may employ all diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the human eye and adnexa pursuant to this subsection, excluding the use of injections other than to counteract an anaphylactic reaction which penetrate the globe, and notwithstanding section 147.107, may without charge supply any of the above pharmaceuticals to commence a course of therapy. A licensed optometrist may perform minor surgical procedures and use medications for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eye and adnexa. A license to practice optometry under this chapter does not authorize the performance of surgical procedures which require the use of injectable or general anesthesia, moderate sedation, penetration of the globe, or the use of ophthalmic lasers for the purpose of ophthalmic surgery within or upon the globe. The removal of pterygia and Salzmann’s nodules, and incisional corneal refractive surgery, and strabismus surgery are prohibited.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill makes changes to the types of actions which may be performed by an optometrist. Previously, an optometrist could not use injections other than to counteract an anaphylactic reaction. Under the bill, an optometrist cannot use injections which penetrate the globe. The bill also removes strabismus surgery from a list of prohibited activities.