§2430-B. Treatment of glaucoma

1.  Optometrists qualified.  An optometrist who graduated from optometric college in the year 1996 or thereafter and who is an advanced therapeutic licensee is authorized to independently treat glaucoma.

[PL 2009, c. 195, §8 (NEW).]

2.  Consultation required.  In order to be authorized to independently treat glaucoma, an advanced therapeutic licensee who graduated from optometric college prior to 1996 must provide evidence to the board of no more than 30 glaucoma-related consultations with a physician in accordance with this section. For purposes of this section, "physician" means a licensed physician specializing in diseases of the eye. The board shall form a glaucoma consultation subcommittee comprised of 2 optometrists appointed by the board and 2 physicians appointed by the Board of Licensure in Medicine to review evidence of consultations submitted pursuant to this section in accordance with the following criteria.

A. The glaucoma-related consultations must be conducted as follows:

(1) A new or existing glaucoma or glaucoma-suspect patient is examined and diagnosed by the optometrist;

(2) The optometrist develops a proposed treatment plan and forwards the plan with examination documentation to a physician for consultation;

(3) The physician examines the patient and reviews the optometrist's examination documentation and proposed treatment plan; and

(4) The physician, optometrist and patient mutually agree to and document a treatment plan.   [PL 2009, c. 195, §8 (NEW).]

B. An advanced therapeutic licensee may petition the glaucoma consultation subcommittee to reduce or waive the number of consultations required. A reduction or waiver may be granted by a majority vote of the subcommittee. If the subcommittee is evenly divided on the question of a specific waiver or reduction, then the request for waiver or reduction must be referred to the board. The board shall hold a hearing on the request for waiver or reduction and shall render a decision. The subcommittee or the board, in evaluating a request for a waiver or reduction in the number of cases, shall consider, among other things:

(1) Optometric college education and course work;

(2) Any residency or practical experience;

(3) Certifications in other states;

(4) Any partial completion of the consultation regimen under paragraph A;

(5) Ongoing education; and

(6) Any other factors considered relevant by the subcommittee or board.   [PL 2009, c. 195, §8 (NEW).]

C. An optometrist who has been licensed and practiced under the laws of another state and has been authorized to independently treat glaucoma in that state may petition the glaucoma consultation subcommittee for a waiver of the consultation requirement. If the optometrist graduated from optometric college in 1996 or thereafter, the waiver must be granted. The subcommittee shall evaluate the education, licensure and experience of an optometrist who graduated prior to 1996 and, if they are equivalent to that of an advanced therapeutic licensee in this State authorized under this section to treat glaucoma independently, shall waive the consultation requirements of this section.   [PL 2009, c. 195, §8 (NEW).]

[PL 2009, c. 195, §8 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2009, c. 195, §8 (NEW).