Ohio bill among several in the nation seeking to expand the role of optometrists

By HPN Staff

A bill that would allow optometrists to perform certain procedures that currently only ophthalmologists are permitted to undertake is making its way through the Ohio General Assembly.

Senate Bill 36, introduced by Sens. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) and George Lang (R-West Chester), seeks to revise Ohio state law governing the practice of optometry to allow Doctors of Optometry (DO) to perform minor surgical procedures. Those include incision of cysts, removal of benign lesions and non-invasive laser procedures. It will also update and expand eye-related medication prescribing authorities.

Why it matters

The Ohio bill is part of a wider effort nationally to expand the scope of optometry practice.  Twelve states now allow optometrists to perform limited laser procedures, and at least 13 states have pursued scope expansion legislation in 2025. 

While most of those bills have either died or are still undergoing the legislative process, Montana passed HB218, enacting into law a bill of similar scope to Ohio’s. In New Mexico, the governor vetoed House Bill 36, which had passed both the NM House and Senate, saying that it “sets a dangerous precedent for allowing nonsurgeons to perform surgical procedures.” 

Florida is also considering broadening services for optometrists. HB-449 bill sponsor State Rep. Alex Rizo (R-Hialeah) said his bill prioritizes safety.

“The bill would allow optometrists to expand their scope of practice to perform specific ocular procedures, but not invasive surgeries, with clear boundaries,” Rizo wrote in an op-ed. “Training and credentials are required, period. It’s practical, not political.”

Supporters of the Ohio bill say it is geared toward patients and that expanding the scope of practice for optometrists will improve access to eye care for consumers by reducing the number of visits necessary for minor procedures. That would allow such treatments to be completed sooner.  

Dr. Elizabeth Muckley, executive director of the Ohio Optometric Association, told the Senate Health Committee that the bill was a “necessary step to improve access to vision care, reduce wait times, and create a more efficient, team-based approach to eyecare, especially important amid growing healthcare shortages.” 

She also pointed out that in some parts of Ohio’s Appalachian regions, “there may be only one ophthalmologist within (a) 45-minute drive serving multiple counties with appointment availability scheduled out 3 to 5 months.”

Opponents, including the Ohio Ophthalmological Society, refute those claims, saying that the bill is unnecessary at best and could compromise patient safety at worst.

Monica Hueckel, vice president of Advocacy for the Ohio State Medical Association, told the Senate Health Committee that “review of available data from Ohio and other states shows that there is not a significant access problem to getting these procedures done in Ohio and the experience in other states is that access hasn’t increased when surgical privileges have been granted through legislative change.”  

The bigger picture

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, optometrists are healthcare professionals “who provide primary vision care ranging from vision testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes.” They can detect certain eye abnormalities and prescribe medication for certain eye diseases in some states, the organization says.

On the other hand, it defines an ophthalmologist as “a medical eye doctor trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, (and) some ophthalmologists specialize further in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care.”

The difference is in the level of education and training, the academy says.