SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
(By Senator Wiedebusch)
Requesting that all parties relative to the issue of expansion
of the scope of optometric practice make every effort to
reconcile their differences to bring about a safe and
systematic expansion of optometric practice which insures
the highest quality of eye care for all.
Whereas, The committee on optometric practice studied the
issue of expanding the scope of practice for optometrists during
the 1996-1997 interim year; and
Whereas, The committee conducted an exhaustive study of the
optometric education, training, continuing education,
certification procedures and scope of practice provisions in
other states, as well as studying the same criteria for
physicians and the physician specialty practice of ophthalmology;
and
Whereas, The optometrist members on the committee expressed
their concern that the law of this state defining the scope of
optometric practice has not been significantly modified since
1977, and that their scope of practice should be expanded to reflect the significant advances in the practice of optometry
since that time; and
Whereas, The ophthalmologist members on the committee
expressed their concern that no state in the union has granted
statutory authority for optometrists to perform surgery or to
prescribe medications in all classes without restriction, and that
any expansion of optometric practice should be a gradual one with
appropriate oversight to protect the health and welfare of the
residents of this state; and
Whereas, The committee was cognizant that there have been
significant advances in the practice of optometry and that there
should be a safe and systematic expansion of the scope of
optometric practice, but the committee was unable to reach a
consensus on legislative proposals to expand the scope of
optometric practice; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the practice of optometry is an integral part of our
health care delivery system, and, thus, all parties involved
should make every effort to reconcile their differences to bring
about a safe and systematic expansion of optometric practice
which will enable optometrists to practice their profession at a
level commensurate with their education and training, while
protecting the health and welfare of the residents of this state and insuring the highest quality of eye care for all; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the chairman of
the board of optometry and the president of the West Virginia
academy of oOphthalmology.