Senate Study Bill 3079 - Introduced SENATE FILE _____ BY (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS BILL BY CHAIRPERSON FEENSTRA) A BILL FOR An Act relating to the practice of optometry. 1 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 2 TLSB 5678XC (5) 87 ss/rh

S.F. _____ Section 1. Section 154.1, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 1 2018, is amended to read as follows: 2 a. An optometrist licensed under this chapter may employ 3 all diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for the 4 purpose of diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the human 5 eye and adnexa pursuant to this subsection , excluding the use 6 of sub-Tenon, botulinum toxin, and retrobulbar injections or 7 injections other than to counteract an anaphylactic reaction 8 which penetrate the globe , and notwithstanding section 147.107 , 9 may without charge supply any of the above pharmaceuticals 10 to commence a course of therapy. A licensed optometrist may 11 perform minor surgical procedures and use medications for the 12 diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions 13 of the eye and adnexa. A license to practice optometry under 14 this chapter does not authorize the performance of surgical 15 procedures which require the use of injectable or general 16 anesthesia, moderate sedation, penetration of the globe, or 17 the use of ophthalmic lasers for the purpose of ophthalmic 18 surgery within or upon the globe. The removal of pterygia and 19 Salzmann’s nodules, incisional corneal refractive surgery, and 20 strabismus surgery are prohibited. 21 0b. A licensed optometrist shall only use injectable 22 anesthesia for eyelid procedures used to treat eyelid cysts, 23 chalazia, and papillomas; however, an optometrist shall not 24 use injectable anesthesia or any injectable pharmaceutical 25 agents, except to counteract anaphylaxis, prior to receiving 26 approval from the board. The board shall not approve the 27 use of injections unless the optometrist demonstrates to 28 the board’s satisfaction sufficient educational or clinical 29 training from or equivalent to a college or university 30 accredited by a regional or professional accreditation 31 organization which is recognized or approved by the council 32 for higher education accreditation or by the United States 33 department of education. A license granted to an applicant who 34 graduated from an accredited school of optometry and who passed 35 -1- LSB 5678XC (5) 87 ss/rh 1/ 2

S.F. _____ the injections skills examination of the national board of 1 examiners in optometry examination on or after January 1, 2011, 2 shall constitute proof of sufficient educational or clinical 3 training. 4 EXPLANATION 5 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 6 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 7 This bill makes changes to certain types of diagnosis and 8 treatment procedures which may be performed by an optometrist. 9 Previously, an optometrist could not use injections other 10 than to counteract an anaphylactic reaction. Under the bill, 11 an optometrist cannot use sub-Tenon, botulinum toxin, or 12 retrobulbar injections or injections which penetrate the globe. 13 The bill removes a prohibition on the performance of surgical 14 procedures which require the use of injectable anesthesia by 15 licensed optometrists. The bill also provides that injectable 16 anesthesia may only be used for eyelid procedures used to 17 treat eyelid cysts, chalazia, and papillomas; however, the 18 bill requires an optometrist to receive board approval before 19 using any injectable pharmaceuticals, except to counteract 20 anaphylaxis. The board shall not approve the use of injections 21 by an optometrist unless the optometrist demonstrates 22 sufficient educational or clinical training from or equivalent 23 to an accredited college or university. The bill directs the 24 board to accept a license to practice optometry issued to an 25 applicant who graduated from an accredited school of optometry 26 and who passed the injections skills portion of the national 27 board of examiners in optometry examination on or after 28 January 1, 2011, as proof of sufficient educational or clinical 29 training. 30 -2- LSB 5678XC (5) 87 ss/rh 2/ 2