Revision: May 17, 2024, 4:21 p.m.
Rep. C. McGuire, Merr. 27
May 17, 2024
2024-2030h
09/08
Floor Amendment to SB 440
Amend RSA 327:1, IV-VII as inserted by section 6 of the bill by replacing it with the following:
IV. "Practice of optometry":
(a) Means the employment of any methods or means, other than surgery, for the:
[(a)] (1) Diagnosis and treatment of any optical defect, deficiency, deformity, or disease of the human eye, adnexa and eyelids.
[(b)] (2) Diagnosis and treatment of any visual or muscular anomaly of the visual system.
[(c)] (3) Adaptation or prescribing of spectacle lenses, contact lenses, prisms or ocular exercises for the correction, relief or aid of the visual functions.
[(d)] (4) Prescribing, administering or dispensing of pharmaceutical agents.
[(e)] (5) Application, prescribing, or removal of Food and Drug Administration approved medical devices, as approved by the board and consistent with the practice of optometry as set forth in this chapter, including, but not limited to, contact lenses, plano lenses, and punctal plugs. The term "plano lenses" means contact lenses with no refractive power.
[(f) Diagnosis of acute angle closure glaucoma. Upon such diagnosis, an optometrist may administer emergency care and shall immediately refer the patient to an ophthalmologist. Oral pharmaceutical agents may be used for the emergency treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma.]
(b) Notwithstanding RSA 327:1, VI, the following ophthalmic procedures shall be permitted only upon authorization to perform ophthalmic procedures pursuant to RSA 327:6-d:
(1) Laser capsulotomy.
(2) Laser trabeculoplasty.
(3) Laser peripheral iridotomy.
(4) Injection of corticosteroid into a chalazion.
V. "Prescription of pharmaceutical agents" means a written or oral direction to dispense a pharmaceutical agent, including inscription, subscription, transcription, and renewal.
VI. "Surgery" means any procedure in which human tissue is cut, altered, or otherwise infiltrated by mechanical means. Surgical procedures shall include the use of lasers for therapeutic and photorefractive purposes, ionizing radiation, therapeutic ultrasound, or medication administered by injection, provided that the removal of [superficial] non-perforating foreign bodies from the eye, adnexa or eyelid shall not be considered a surgical procedure prohibited by this chapter. [With respect to a foreign body, any part of which is situated within 3 millimeters of the visual axis, "superficial foreign body" means that which has not penetrated deeper than the corneal epithelium.]
VI-a. "Telemedicine" means the use of audio, video, or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment.
VII. "Therapeutic contact lenses" means contact lenses which contain one or more medications and which deliver such medication to the eye.
Amend the bill by replacing section 11 with the following:
11 New Section; Optometry; Examinations and Licenses; Authorization to Perform Ophthalmic Procedures. Amend RSA 327 by inserting after section 6-c the following new section:
327:6-d Authorization to Perform Ophthalmic Procedures.
I. The board of optometry shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A establishing the certification which shall be fulfilled before a person may be certified to perform ophthalmic procedures for the practice of optometry, including:
(a) Identification and categorization of ophthalmic procedures for the practice of optometry;
(b) Establishment of criteria to perform such procedures with proficiency;
(c) Establishment of minimum education, training, and live experience requirements for a person to perform such procedures with proficiency;
(d) Criteria for requiring proctoring and criteria for proctors; and
(e) Outcome reporting requirements for such procedures performed by certificate holders.
II. No optometrist shall practice under this section unless the optometrist has submitted evidence of satisfactory completion of all requirements for specific procedures and the office has certified the optometrist as qualified.