Legislative Issues Affecting Opticians in Florida

[jmchapman]

I'm pretty excited about this! Let's hope some of these pass.

http://pof.org/Member_Services/legislative.html

[Chris Ryser]

Congratulations, I hope you will be a big step ahead. Some of the highlites :


The highlights of these proposed changes that are in the Bills and of most interest to opticians are:

• Removes the restriction on opticians performing refractions of the eye*

• Allows opticians and optometrists to form a partnership, corporation or professional association to create, own and manage an optical establishment together

• Clarifies the term ‘optical dispensing’ by adding the word final into the legal definition to read as, “…transferring an optical aid to the wearer after an optician completes the final fitting…”

• Requires apprentices entering the program after July 1, 2011 will need to earn at least 12 semester hours of college credit

• Non-licensed supportive personnel working in an optometrist’s office will only be able to dispense eye wear and provide the final fitting on a patient under the direct supervision of the optometrist and not under the general supervision as the optometric rules allow now

• Restrict optometrists from delegating to another person, the duty of determining the refractive error of the eye unless that person is specifically licensed to provide these services

[kcount]

Wow. Best of luck!

[Johns]

A bill that restricts ODs from assigning refractive duties? I wonder why MDs were not mentioned?

I give this 4 posts before...

[Oedema]

A bill that restricts ODs from assigning refractive duties? I wonder why MDs were not mentioned?

I give this 4 posts before...

Follow the money trail... the guy that introduced the bill is being financed by ophthalmology. Some ophthalmologist in Florida are guilty of over delegating, there was one guy in the ft. lauderdale area that was delegating laser surgery for posterior capsule opacificiation to a physician assistant - until his colleagues started breathing down his neck.

[rbaker]

Follow the money trail... the guy that introduced the bill is being financed by ophthalmology. Some ophthalmologist in Florida are guilty of over delegating, there was one guy in the ft. lauderdale area that was delegating laser surgery for posterior capsule opacificiation to a physician assistant - until his colleagues started breathing down his neck.

There is a hell of a lot of difference between a Physician Assistant and an Optician or an Optometrist.

[Craig]

This is a great start! What about making an optician, OD or MD personally verify all work and keep a signed record of the recordings? That would actually make it a medical device and subject to review at any point to ensure compliance.

This would be the next logical step if we can get this done.

Craig

[Matthew]

It will be interesting to see how much gets axed. The MD and OD lobbyists are big.

[gmc]

You can be sure the final bill won't look much like it is currently written if anything passes at all. This is largely a battle between ophthalmology and optometry with opticianry as pawns. If it passes as written it would require ODs to hire opticians to refract instead of optometric techs.

[Barry Santini]

But opticians by themselves are not certified to refract in Florida, yes?

B

[CNG]

Optometry has a lot to gain from what is going on on the legislature. They have a bill going through as well in which all orals would be allowed. Optometry wins big if orals pass as it is the first step towards surgical priviledges. The face of the eyecare business is changing as new graduates could care less about refraction, eyeglasses and contact lenses. This bill also gives options to corporate ODs of owning an optical with opticians, something that is a huge win for them as well. This bill evens out the playing field in benefits of all Floridians. There are a couple of optical chains owned by Ods that operate without any qualified dispensers. There is a huge difference between optometric techs and opticians as far as training, licensure and scope of practice. This bill is good for optometry, good for opticianry and good for all Floridians.

CNG

[CNG]

Here is the OD bill.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sectio...lSearchIndex=0

[gmc]

But opticians by themselves are not certified to refract in Florida, yes?

B

Correct, although it appears that would change if the bill passes in its current form. That's very doubtful though.

[Oedema]

Optometry wins big if orals pass as it is the first step towards surgical priviledges.

You're overestimating the importance of orals. They're very rarely used in eye care, the only reason for optometrists to have them is so that we can treat the occasional infection that walks in requiring them instead of referring. Not a big deal overall though, only brings Florida up to the same level as most other states and will have nothing to do with surgery.

[Oedema]

There is a hell of a lot of difference between a Physician Assistant and an Optician or an Optometrist.

You're right, an optician would be a hell of a lot more qualified to perform those laser procedures than a PA...

[rbaker]

You're right, an optician would be a hell of a lot more qualified to perform those laser procedures than a PA...

You are clearly not familiar with Physician Assistants in the US. If you care to learn more you can start here:

http://www.aapa.org/

[Oedema]

You are clearly not familiar with Physician Assistants in the US. If you care to learn more you can start here:

http://www.aapa.org/

FYI, I am very familiar. I helped to train a PA that was working with us in the ophthalmology department of a Florida hospital. His job was to work-up patients, particularly those sent upstairs from the ER. Nice guy, eager to learn, but limited eye knowledge.

[Gators]

Congratulations, I hope you will be a big step ahead. Some of the highlites :


The highlights of these proposed changes that are in the Bills and of most interest to opticians are:

• Removes the restriction on opticians performing refractions of the eye*

• Allows opticians and optometrists to form a partnership, corporation or professional association to create, own and manage an optical establishment together

• Clarifies the term ‘optical dispensing’ by adding the word final into the legal definition to read as, “…transferring an optical aid to the wearer after an optician completes the final fitting…”

• Requires apprentices entering the program after July 1, 2011 will need to earn at least 12 semester hours of college credit

• Non-licensed supportive personnel working in an optometrist’s office will only be able to dispense eye wear and provide the final fitting on a patient under the direct supervision of the optometrist and not under the general supervision as the optometric rules allow now

• Restrict optometrists from delegating to another person, the duty of determining the refractive error of the eye unless that person is specifically licensed to provide these services

Refracting correctly is an art. I would not allow most of the opticians I know to refract me, it would be the equivalent to going an ophthalmologist who has a tech.

Allowing opticians and optometrists to partner would be nice for small opticals.

Requiring credit for apprentices would also be nice.

This bill is going to get so jacked up it will be ridiculous!

[CNG]

This bill is really in benefit of all Floridians. The bill will stand on its own merit. If you are an optician or an optometrist you should support this bill.

CNG

[Mark Miller- POF]

Do you know of any state or national practical exam on refraction or vision assessment that is not offer by the AOA?

Please let me know.

MM