May 4, 2023
HB 349 is scheduled to be up for debate on the House floor on Tuesday. We need EVERY optometrist and optometry student to contact their House member and ask for their support on the bill.

We also request that you come to the Alabama Statehouse on Tuesday to show your support for the legislation. The House goes into session at 1:00.

The Alabama Statehouse is located at 11 South Union Street in Montgomery. Parking is difficult around the statehouse. There are some metered spaces and Montgomery uses the ParkMobile app. There is free public parking 3 blocks behind the statehouse at Cramton Bowl (1022 Madison Avenue) Click HERE for a map of downtown Montgomery
OPTOMETRIC SCOPE BILL
The bill will allow optometrists to perform two laser procedures in their offices (YAG and SLT) after completing a 36 hour course approved by the Alabama Board of Optometry. To be laser certified an optometrist will have to perform 10 procedures on live human patients under the direct supervision of an ophthalmologist licensed in the State of Alabama.

The bill also allows for the removal of skin lesions, excluding the eyelid margin, and the use of anesthetic injections during those procedures. It includes IPL. It also allows for flourescein angiography, when done in a setting where a physician is available.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

It is imperative that the members of the House of Representatives hear from every optometrist and optometry student in Alabama. They need to know that you support the expansion of the scope of practice for optometry! Don't know who your House members are? Click HERE for a zip code look up. Click HERE for their contact information.
 
Check out www.trustedeyecarealabama.com for great information about the optometry scope expansion effort. You can also click below for talking points that you can use when discussing this issue with your legislator.
 
 
 
 
 
Questions? Contact Amanda Buttenshaw at optometry@alaopt.com or 334-300-4857.
PO Box 240907 • Montgomery, AL 36124-0907
©2018 Alabama Optometric Association