FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5193

                              C 36 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Amondson, Madsen, Anderson, Newhouse, Kreidler, McMullen, Talmadge and Warnke)

Revising provisions of the optometry statutes.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Currently licensed optometrists may be certified by the Board of Optometry to use certain topically administered drugs for the purpose of diagnosing conditions of the eye.  The certified optometrist must have a minimum of 60 hours of didactic and clinical instruction in general and ocular pharmacology as applied to the practice of optometry from an accredited institute of higher education.  Optometrists are not permitted to use drugs for therapeutic purposes.

SUMMARY:

Optometrists are permitted to use certain topically administered drugs for therapeutic purposes when certified by the Board of Optometry.  The board is directed to establish a formulary of drugs to be used for diagnostic and treatment purposes.  An additional 75 hours of didactic and clinical instruction is required for certification to use drugs for therapeutic purposes.  Educational programs must be approved by the U.S. Office of Education or the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation. Pharmacists may legally fill prescriptions of licensed optometrists for topically applied drugs.  The Board of Optometry is required to verify certified optometrists for the purpose of issuing prescriptions.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   30   17

     House 65 30

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989