Legislators rationalized that there are too few ophthalmologists in rural parts of the state. Optometrists further claimed a one-day lecture series by the University of Iowa's ophthalmology faculty mandated by legislators helped optometrists fulfill their required education to prescribe the entire pharmacopoeia. In Iowa, as in most states, optometrists outnumber ophthalmologists almost four to one. Optometrists are regarded as part of the business community. And they contribute lavishly to local politicians.
Optometrists claim that their services are less expensive.
Surveys have demonstrated that this is not true. In fact, optometrists use the same CPT codes as Eye M.D.s for similar services, and they request far more procedures per patient visit than do ophthalmologists. The Washington analysis also demonstrates that ODs cost approximately 3 percent more than Eye M.D.s do. Optometrists often claim their charges will be less than those of ophthalmologists, but after achieving expanded privileges ODs argue for payment at the same level. Legislators fail to recognize that the absence of ophthalmologists in rural counties will not be remedied by enhancing the optometric scope of practice to include administration of intravenous and oral drugs.