They have successfully changed the law allowing them to use drops to dilate a patient's eye, and to use topical drugs to treat for glaucoma or infections, but they're barred from prescribing or using pain killers or antibiotics. That means an optometrist is allowed to remove a chunk of metal from a persons' eye, but he can't prescribe anything for the pain. Also, he can prescribe a topical drug for an infection, but the patient must go to an ophthalmologist for antibiotics if the ointment doesn't work. Bouncing from one doctor to another is frustrating to patients, optometrists say, and in rural areas it can be harder to find an ophthalmologist. But ophthalmologists are worried about patient safety.
Optometrists attend four years of graduate study.
But unlike oph thalmologists, optometrists don't go to medical school. An optometrist might be able to administer drugs safely, but he doesn't have the training to handle complications that may arise, said Richland ophthalmologist Robert Mushen. We really think there is a public safety danger in turning them loose. When the issue came in last year's Legislature, Rep. Dyer asked the Department of Health to study what might happen if optometrists were given more responsibility. The preliminary findings support the optometrist's position, Michael said, but Dyer is waiting for the final report to come out in April.