Purpose

To modify the scope and limits of what optometrists can prescribe and administer as part of eye care, and to amend how optometry is defined under Minnesota law. The changes aim to clarify and expand the role of optometrists in diagnosing eye conditions and using certain medications, while keeping safety safeguards and supervision requirements.

Main Provisions

• Optometry defined to include:
  • Advertising as an optometrist and using vision-testing tools (like autorefractors and other automated devices).
  • Possessing testing equipment to measure vision and determine lens or prism needs.
  • Diagnosing diseases, deficiencies, deformities, or abnormalities of the eye and its surrounding structures.
  • Prescribing lenses, including glasses or cosmetic contact lenses, and prescribing or using ocular exercises and rehabilitative eye care.
  • Prescribing or administering legend drugs to help diagnose, treat, prevent, or manage eye-related diseases, within the scope allowed by approved optometry curriculum and Board of Optometry rules.
• Safety and scope limitations (in the course of treatment):
  • Legend drugs cannot be administered intravenously or intramuscularly, or by injection, except for treatment of anaphylaxis or certain eye-related injections (SubTenon, retrobulbar, or intravitreal injections).
  • Certain systemic medications are restricted to preserve patient safety:
  • Schedule II and III oral legend drugs and oral steroids have limits on how they can be prescribed or administered by optometrists (intended to require physician consultation in many cases).
  • Oral antivirals are restricted to a maximum duration of 10 days without physician consultation.
  • Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are restricted to a maximum duration of 7 days without physician consultation.
  • All of these medication-related limits are subject to applicable Minnesota statutes and Board of Optometry rules.
• The changes reference the Board of Optometry and accredited optometry schools or colleges, and they must align with existing statutes and adopted rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Broadens the formal definition of optometry to explicitly include prescribing or administering legend drugs for eye health, within an educational and regulatory framework.
• Introduces clear prohibitions on certain drug administration methods (e.g., intravenous/intramuscular/injectables) except for specific eye-related injections or emergency treatment.
• Adds explicit duration-based limitations on the use of certain systemic medications by optometrists (antivirals, steroids, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors) unless a physician is consulted, reinforcing collaboration with physicians for longer-term or systemic treatments.
• Ties the expanded practice to the requirements and oversight of the Board of Optometry and accredited optometry programs.

Potential Implications

• Patients may have greater access to eye-related medications from optometrists, within defined safety limits.
• Optometrists may take on a broader role in diagnosing and managing eye diseases, provided they follow the stipulated restrictions and collaborate with physicians when needed.
• The Board of Optometry and educational programs will play a key role in ensuring safe practice and adherence to the new limits.

Key Terms (for quick reference)

• Optometry, optometrist, Board of Optometry
• Legend drugs
• Schedule II and III oral legend drugs
• Oral steroids
• Oral antivirals
• Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
• Intravenous, intramuscular, injection
• SubTenon injection, retrobulbar injection, intravitreal injection
• Accredited schools or colleges of optometry
• Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 148.56 subdivision 1

Relevant Terms optometry, optometrist, Board of Optometry, legend drugs, Schedule II, Schedule III, oral steroids, oral antivirals, oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, intravenous, intramuscular, injection, SubTenon, retrobulbar, intravitreal, accredited, Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 148.56 subdivision 1