Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a bill that will allow optometrists to prescribe oral medications, ending a long-running lobbying battle about the issue.
“The proposal to allow optometrists to prescribe oral medications as a means to provide more adequate primary eye care has been an ongoing debate for more than three decades,” said Dr. Ken Lawson, FOA’s legislative chair. “Today, the FOA thanks Governor Rick Scott for recognizing the positive impact this legislation will have on allowing greater access to quality and affordable eye care for all Floridians. The end result of this legislation represents a thoroughly-vetted, collective effort on behalf of all impacted parties that will allow Floridians to get the most appropriate treatment for their eye condition from an optometrist.”
House Bill 239, as signed by Governor Scott, allows optometrists to prescribe statutorily approved medications in pill form that include medications in the antibiotic, anti-viral, anti-glaucoma and analgesic categories. The law expressly establishes that the medications are to be administered by an optometrist for the treatment of the eyes only, as well as strictly prohibits any optometrist from conducting any procedure that may be considered surgical.
“The FOA thanks Senator Garrett Richter and Representative Matt Caldwell for their leadership as the proposal went through the legislative process, and we look forward to the ability to provide the primary eye care Florida’s patients need at the time and in the form they need it,” said Dr. Lawson.
