State Advocacy
Regional Advocacy Meetings prime states’ advocates for 2023 battles and beyond
The four regionally based meetings brought together seasoned statehouse veterans and advocates to build on optometry’s historic advances and collaborate on continued success.
Hubble Contacts fined $300,000 in civil penalties for deceptive trade practices in Texas
Doctors of optometry and consumers alert Texas attorney general to concerns about the online contact lens retailer. It was the second settlement in 2022 against Hubble for deceptive trade practices, at the state and federal levels.
Huge scope victory for Colorado doctors of optometry
Colorado becomes the tenth state—and fourth since 2021—to grant expanded contemporary optometric authority including laser procedures to doctors of optometry. Patients there now have greater access to comprehensive eye and vision care, while trained doctors of optometry can practice at some of the highest levels taught.
Regional Advocacy Meetings strengthen states’ advocacy, collaboration
The four regional advocacy meetings across the U.S. this summer and fall look to build upon the profession’s historic statehouse momentum in recent years. Learn how you can get involved.
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.
Virginia gains optometric laser procedures for glaucoma, post-cataract care
Virginia becomes the ninth state—and third since 2021—to expand its optometric scope of practice to include these contemporary procedures.
1-800 Contacts’ attempt to undermine law thwarted by Georgia doctors yet again
Doctors of optometry repeatedly leverage long relationships to ensure patient safety in delivering eye care and overcoming push by 1-800 Contacts. The lesson: Be proactive and reactive.
AOA, MOA rebuff insurer’s reprisals against Mississippi eye care providers
Mississippi ophthalmologists participating in preceptorships for optometry’s newly authorized YAG laser capsulotomy procedure faced threat of losing malpractice insurance coverage.
New York gains oral medication prescribing authority
The Empire State rounds out the list of states permitting optometry’s oral medication prescribing for ocular diseases, capping a year of historic scope wins for optometry’s advocates.
California amends optometry’s approved treatments, medications and testing
The scope victories eliminate some prior drug and treatment restrictions while also authorizing expanded testing, as well as COVID-19 vaccine administration.
Kansas Insurance Department puts vision plans on notice
After the Kansas Optometric Association and doctors of optometry there raised concerns, the Kansas Insurance Department says it will enforce the state Vision Care Services Act. Want to learn more about third party advocacy? Save the date for the AOA Payer Advocacy Summit, Nov. 15-16.