(TALLAHASSEE, FL)—Florida ophthalmologists thank Governor Rick Scott as he signs HB 239 that ensures patient safety and quality eye care for all Floridians. Due to serious concerns over patient safety ophthalmologists have long resisted efforts by Florida optometrists to dramatically expand their scope of practice, including attempts to prescribe oral medications and obtain other privileges granted only to those who have a medical degree. After decades of lobbying from both optometrists and ophthalmologists, HB 239 will allow optometrists to prescribe 14 specific oral medications to eye patients, but it also imposes a series of patient safeguards that the FSO has been advocating for years. For example, the bill (1) expressly prohibits optometrists from performing surgery "of any kind" and provides a clear definition of surgery that is modeled after the guidelines of the American College of Surgeons; (2) mandates referral to ophthalmologists within 72 hours when anti-glaucoma medications and Schedule III and Schedule IV analgesics are prescribed; (3) expressly prohibits optometrists from prescribing Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances; (4) expressly prohibits optometrists from administering medications by injection or other invasive techniques; (5) requires optometrists wishing to prescribe oral medications to complete additional coursework and pass additional examinations; (6) requires transparency and full disclosure to patients that are seen by both optometrists and ophthalmologists in a “co-management setting” so that patients are fully informed and consent in writing to co-managed care and any associated fees and costs; and (7) mandates that optometrists promptly report to the Department of Health when their patients experience adverse incidents.

“Patient safety has always been the FSO’s number one priority, and I am pleased that both organizations were finally able to come together on this legislation,” said Charles B. Slonim MD, President of the FSO. “We are extremely grateful for the outstanding support we had during this session from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and the many state medical and surgical subspecialty societies including the Florida Medical Association. Last but not least, we want to thank the members of the Legislature for their thoughtful deliberation and consideration of this bill and for their efforts in making sure that HB 239 ultimately provided meaningful safeguards for patients."