Headlines

Lawmakers Concerned About Optometrist Shortage in North Carolina

Published

8 years ago

June 8, 2016

New budget proposal includes the first step to alleviate it.

With North Carolina facing a shortage of optometrists, state senators have proposed a budget that includes funding for a study on establishing a new training school at Wingate University, North Carolina Health News reports. The article cites comments from optometrist Dr. Hal Herring, who told legislators in 2014 that national figures show there’s roughly one optometrist for every 7,000 people, compared to a more concerning ratio of one optometrist for every 10,000 North Carolinians.

The article also cites comments from Sen. Tommy Tucker (R-Waxhaw), who noted at a recent meeting that “there are no schools for optometry in the state” and that “optometrists are aging out.” He added that the training school would be funded privately by Wingate, but that the state would contribute $900,000 toward establishing a free clinic there so students could gain experience.

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