May 30, 2000- Stating that only physicians are qualified to perform eye surgery, SMS President Ayaz Samadani, MD, endorsed a lawsuit that seeks to stop optometrists from performing laser eye surgery. Our concern is safety and correct information for our Wisconsin residents. The complaint asks the Dane County Circuit Court to overturn recent action by the State Optometry Examining Board, which states that laser surgery is within the scope of practice for optometrists.
Ophthalmologists are eye surgeons.
The State Medical Society of Wisconsin, established in 1841, is the first and largest physician and patient advocacy association in the state, representing 8,000 member physicians and their patients. The purpose of the SMS is to advance the health of the people of Wisconsin. For more information about the SMS, visit our Web site at wismed.org.