State Advocacy
Florida optometrists quash effort—again—to pass ‘not-a-doctor’ bill
“Not-a-doctor” bills have resurfaced again during this legislative session, after state affiliates and the AOA defeated similar pushes across the country in 2023. In Florida, on the last day of the legislative session, a bill there to limit the use of specific medical titles failed.
South Dakota secures scope expansion for injections, optometric laser procedures
South Dakota’s scope victory makes it the twelfth state in the nation to authorize doctors of optometry for ophthalmic lasers, bolstering patients’ access to this level of care.
'Not-a-doctor' bills are back: Affiliates, AOA preparing for fresh attacks on optometry
Last year, affiliates across the country defeated attempts to turn the clock back on optometry’s groundbreaking progress. This year brings two new challenges, as legislation is introduced in Florida—again—and Tennessee this month. Not that the AOA or optometry’s advocates in those states are surprised; as optometry advances, they’re prepared to resist any legislation that isn’t in the best interests of doctors of optometry and patients.
Texas vision plan law, now in effect, sees favorable development in federal lawsuit
The state’s first-in-the-nation vision plan reform law has faced a legal challenge since its passage, but a federal judge’s recent motion gives optometry’s advocates an opportunity to respond.
Equip to Expand Scope
Americans deserve 21st-century optometric eye health and vision care. Learn how advocating for change in your state can advance the profession’s future.
Proposal in Utah would restrict contact lens patient choice, disrupt doctor-patient relationship
State legislator authors misguided plan to block contact lens sales by doctors.
Affiliates, AOA share forward-thinking strategies for optometry’s advocates
AOA State Government Relations Center (SGRC) Regional Advocacy Meetings convened affiliate leaders and advocates from across the nation to collaborate and build formidable grassroots strategies for continued legislative success.
Texas’ vision plan law takes effect, court challenge continues
The nation’s first comprehensive state law prohibiting vision plans’ anti-competitive behaviors threatening the doctor-patient relationship and patient eye care access took effect amid plans’ legal challenge.
Doctors of optometry in New Hampshire earn authorization to provide vaccines to public
The public can now get their vaccinations for COVID-19, shingles and flu from doctors of optometry in New Hampshire, after the New Hampshire Optometric Association helped secure passage of a bill giving them that authority. The new law goes into effect Sept. 3.
New Texas law halts vision plans’ anti-competitive, monopolistic behaviors
ICYMI: Texas optometry’s vision plan bill protects the doctor-patient relationship with provisions that promote fair competition and valuation of comprehensive optometric care. What does that mean for the profession at large?
YAG procedures by doctors of optometry, after cataract surgery, better for patients’ care and convenience
Survey of 10 states, where doctors of optometry are certified to perform the YAG capsulotomy to treat complications from cataract surgery, finds patients are more likely to get in to see their doctors of optometry for the laser eye surgery than their ophthalmologists, and many see cost savings. Survey results provide evidence or grounds for further optometric scope expansion to other states, especially in light of workforce shortages.