State’s Optometrists Seek Right to Treat Glaucoma

Currently they must refer patients to ophthalmologists.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are proposing legislation that would allow optometrists to treat glaucoma.

The Sun Chronicle reports that Massachusetts is unique in the U.S. in that while optometrists “are able to screen all patients for glaucoma and eye infections,” they “must refer patients to an ophthalmologist if any condition is detected.”

House bills on the issue are being considered by a legislative committee, State House News Service reports. The Massachusetts Society of Optometrists is pushing for passage of the legislation.

Proponents say the bill would result in greater access to care and save million of dollars for the state’s Medicaid program.

The state Senate has passed similar measures numerous times before, but in each case they failed to garner enough support in the House.

Read more at the Sun Chronicle