State Bill Would Allow Optometrists to Give Injections

Ophthalmologists oppose the bill.

A proposed law in Georgia would allow optometrists to inject drugs into their patients’ eyelids, Georgia Health News reports.

The bill received the OK from the Health and Human Services Committee of the state Senate. Similar legislation has recently appeared in the state House of Representatives, too — one bill failed to make it out of a House committee, but the committee is set to hear another iteration, according to Georgia Health News.

The Senate proposal is being touted as a way to increase access to eyecare. 

Optometrist John Whitlow told the House committee: “We would like to be able to treat patients to the best of our ability.”

The injections are sometimes administered to counter inflammation. The Senate bill would require 30 hours of training on how to perform the injections.

Ophthalmologists oppose the bill, citing safety concerns. One ophthalmologist, Dr. Brian Kim, said 30 hours of training would not be adequate.

Read more at Georgia Health News