This commentary is by Dr. Dorothy Brodmann of Burlington. She is an optometrist who practices in Burlington and Stowe.
It’s safe to say most Vermonters have a relationship with their optometrist. They see us for primary eye care: exams, glasses and contacts — but some may not understand the full breadth of our capability and expertise.
This is why we, the Vermont Optometric Association, are fighting to expand the scope of our work in our state, joining 11 other states that have successfully made this change.
Known in the Statehouse as S.233, a bill to do just that is currently under consideration by the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. It safely expands the scope of practice for optometrists by creating a specialty endorsement license that allows qualified optometrists to perform certain advanced therapeutic procedures.
This would enable optometrists to use training many already possess to provide additional services to their patients.
This is the main takeaway: Patient care is our top priority. We live and work in your communities; we know your health; we provide care for your family — and we have the skills to perform procedures that aren’t currently in our purview in the state.
These procedures include: treatment of small eye lesions, non-surgical corneal strengthening (also known as corneal crosslinking), certain eyelid injections, use of laser tools to treat glaucoma and specific post-cataract conditions.
So, what would expanding the scope mean for patients?
- Fewer visits — Instead of referring out to a specialist, treatment could be done in-office, usually at lower costs.
- Less travel — There are many more options for optometrists than ophthalmologists in Vermont, especially in rural areas. By expanding the scope patients undergoing certain procedures could avoid travel to distant providers, in some cases out-of-state or requiring overnight stays.
- Smoother follow-ups — Optometrists often perform follow-up care now and having one provider handle more of the treatment creates a more seamless start-to-finish experience.
- Comfort — Just as we know you, you know us. Patients are comfortable around their optometrists and long term trusted relationships with providers leads to better health outcomes.
- Brighter future — Vermont positioned to attract highly qualified optometrists to provide skilled care for an aging population.
Last year the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation exhaustively studied this issue and released a report stating, “The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) recommends expanding optometrists’ scope of practice to include specific injection and laser and non-laser surgical procedures.”
It really doesn’t get much clearer than that.
Expansion provides the ability to perform needed services already available through optometrists in 11 states. Vermont’s aging population is at risk of reduced access to primary eye care. We ask the Vermont Legislature to be visionaries and take action to prepare for the future.
Please contact your optometrist with any questions and ask your representatives to support this bill, which will improve patient care in our state and allow optometrists to use the skills they worked hard to gain.
