Survey says...
- Americans prefer Doctors of Optometry as their eye care expert nearly 2x more than MDs (ophthalmologists).
- The most-trusted source for reliable eye health information is a Doctor of Optometry - not an MD (ophthalmologist or primary care physician).
(American Eye-Q Survey, Results published Jan 2019)
Optometrists are accessible across all of New Hampshire
Doctors of Optometry are trusted and more accessible than their eye surgeon colleagues (ophthalmologists).
You can find an Optometrist currently practicing in all 10 New Hampshire counties providing eye care access to 100% of the state’s population.
There are two New Hampshire counties without a single ophthalmologist and three counties have only one.
By allowing optometrists to practice to their full level of training and education, NH residents will have improved access to the quality eye care they need, expect, and deserve.
Why do optometrists need states to legislate their profession?
MDs have always tried to limit the rights of optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, nurses, and other health care professions by maintaining restrictive state laws.
In fact, optometrists are the only remaining doctorate-level healthcare provider in NH that is required to change state laws in order to provide the full scope of eye care taught in optometry school.
What ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) will say about SB-440:
Click each statement below to learn more
- MDs fight all scope of practice changes against Optometrists
- Ophthalmology will argue that these new bills open the door to hidden surgical procedures being performed by optometrists
- Eye MDs will argue that only MDs have the training to perform in-office eye laser procedures
- Ophthalmologists will argue there is no need to expand access to care
- Ophthalmologists will say that If an optometrist performs in-office laser procedures, the patient will require more re-treatments
- Eye MDs will argue that optometrists only take a weekend course to get certified for in-office laser procedures
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MDs in New Hampshire have fought against the ability of Doctors of Optometry to care for their patients since the 1970s. In that time, MDs have tried to stop Optometrists from:
- Dilating patient’s pupils.
- Prescribing eye drops for pink eye and glaucoma.
- Prescribing oral medication for eye infections and inflammation.
- Performing in-office procedures to treat eye infections, inflammation and other conditions.
- Administering vaccines
MDs try to convince the public and legislators that only they should be allowed to perform these procedures despite zero evidence of ill-effects of optometric care over the past four decades. The entire Optometry profession has been built upon personal eye health and vision care for the betterment of society. This is why the public prefers Optometrists for their personalized eye health care.
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SB-440 allows three common in‑office laser procedures for glaucoma and post-cataract scar tissue along with removing skin tags and eyelid injections for "styes." These in‑office procedures do not include major surgeries like cataract surgery, retina surgery, LASIK and many more.
Optometrists are not allowed to perform any procedures that are not part of the accredited optometric curriculum.
In fact, SB-440 includes a long list of surgical exclusions to cement them into law.
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Doctors of Optometry have been performing in‑office procedures since the 1980s. The argument that only MDs are supposed to perform these procedures ended more than three decades ago.
Every Doctor of Optometry school across the nation trains optometrists for in‑office surgical and in-office eye laser procedures. In addition, every Optometrist that performs in‑office eye laser procedures has been certified by experts including ophthalmologists.
It's time to modernize the practice of Optometry in New Hampshire.
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The number of ophthalmologists in the U.S. has remained stable since 1990, while the number of patients over age 65 will increase 42% by 2030 and 83% by 2050. This provider-to-patient imbalance will continue to worsen as 50% of ophthalmologists are older than 50 years old and closer to retirement than training. American Academy of Ophthalmology 2022
From 2020 to 2035, the total ophthalmology supply is projected to decrease by 12% and total demand is projected to increase by 24%, representing a supply and demand mismatch of 30% workforce inadequacy. ScienceDirect 2023
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One optometrist in Oklahoma performed more laser procedures than a group of ophthalmologists. MDs exploited that by writing a paper about it. However, MDs refused to look at the nationwide data because it showed 13x more Eye MDs required patients to have 3 procedures compared to when Doctors of Optometry perform the same.
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In-office eye laser procedure certification is a major endeavor. It requires:
- 4 years of Doctor of Optometry school
- Evaluation and management of thousands of patients
- Years of training in ocular disease and treatment
- Three board examinations
- Performance proficiency examination
It is the job of healthcare providers to remain current with medical advances and technologies.
No medical profession stands still.
All healthcare professionals learn new advances through continuing education (CE), including MDs, which builds on their formal foundational knowledge and skill.
SB 44O in the News
Drs. Angelique Sawyer & Alison Loranger: SB 440 will improve access to quality eye care
Doctors of optometry are the leaders in primary eye care, helping patients and their families achieve healthier eyes and bodies by examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases and disorders of the eye. Optometrists complete 4 years of undergraduate education, an additional 4 years of rigorous classroom and clinical doctorate training, followed by national board examinations. In all 50 states, doctors of optometry independently...
WFEA RADIO 1370 AM - 5.15.2024
NHOA's Legislative Committee Co-Chair Dr. Angel Sawyer shares the differences (and similarites) between an optometrist and ophthalmologists, the importance of SB-440 and the need to improve access to first-class eye care in New Hampshire.
Union Leader Endorses SB-440
"A dozen states now allow optometrists to perform in-office laser procedures. Eighteen allow removal of eye lesions, and 42 states allow them to perform injections."
"Hindsight can clearly see the past waste of time and money in opposing sensible health care reform. We trust foresight will rule the day this time."
Click here for a pdf of the March 30, 2024 editorial.
Drs. Sacco and Weber: Seeing the full picture
"If New Hampshire wants to attract and maintain the best doctors to take the best care f its residenst and wants timely, quality eye care. doctors of optometry must be allowed to treat patients using our full education and training."
Click here to access the full op-ed!
WFEA RADIO 1370 AM - 5.15.2024: AN OPTOMETRIST AND OPHTHALMOGIST WEIGHS IN ON SB 440
Dr. Rich Castillo, an optometrist and ophthalmologist says optometrists can safety perform some minor surgeries, for which they’ve been trained, and New Hampshire should let them.
New Hampshire Optometrists have updated their scope of practice several times over the past 50 years to keep their patient care current with medical advancements. The experience of New Hampshire's Doctors of Optometry over many decades demonstrates the highest standards of care without any pullbacks, increases in malpractice rates, or disciplinary actions. New Hampshire optometrists have never let down the legislature or the citizens of the Granite State.
Optometry and Ophthalmology play a vital, coordinated role in modern eye care
Doctors of Optometry respect and work closely alongside Ophthalmologists to provide their patients the best possible eye care in New Hampshire.
Ophthalmologists provide a critical surgical role in LASIK, cataract surgery, incisional glaucoma surgery, retinal surgery, eye muscle surgery, corneal transplants, and much much more. Patients are much better served when each discipline is able to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training.
Paid for and authorized by the 215+ members of the
New Hampshire Optometric Association
New Hampshire Optometric Association
