Idaho Society of Ophthalmology

Idaho Society of Ophthalmology: A Clear Vision for Safe Surgeries

You could see a bill in the 2025 session that will jeopardize the safety of our fellow Idahoans.

Optometrists want to expand their scope of practice to perform laser eye surgeries, but are not trained surgeons.
This is an attempt by optometrists to expand their scope of practice through legislation rather than completing the regulated standard of education and training to become a surgeon.
When performed incorrectly, or with one quick slip of a laser, laser eye surgery can permanently damage your eye or can result in complete blindness.
Lasers used for laser eye surgery are surgical instruments which can cut as sharply and deeply as any scalpel.
Some optometrists claim patients lack proper access to laser eye surgery in Idaho. This is incorrect. Access to care is not an issue. 95% of Idahoans are as close to an ophthalmologist as they are to a Walmart. Additionally, there is not a waitlist for laser eye surgeries in any part of the state.
Conversely, ophthalmologists are the only trained surgical eye doctors, having completed four years of medical school and tens of thousands of hours of appropriately regulated and accredited clinical and surgical training, which they are required to practice on living patients. Optometrists are not surgical doctors, they are not required to practice surgery on living patients during their training, and they have significantly fewer hours of clinical training.
Ophthalmologists are highly trained surgeons taught to safely identify who qualifies for eye surgery, how to perform the surgery, and what to do if there are surgical complications.
Ophthalmologists have good working relationships with optometrists in Idaho, and most optometrists are not seeking this scope of practice expansion.
Similar legislation most recently failed in 2020. This is an issue that’s repeatedly brought up every few years and repeatedly fails because it is NOT SAFE for Idahoans.
Ask your legislators to vote NO on this legislation.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a physician (M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eye and visual system. Ophthalmologists have typically completed 4 years of college-level premedical education, 4 years of medical school, and 4 years of residency training. Some ophthalmologists also complete 1-2 additional years of fellowship training to focus on a specific subspecialty. Ophthalmologists are licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery.

“Ophthalmologist” is sometimes confused with the professional titles “optometrist” and “optician”. Optometrists (O.D.) are eye care providers who have completed 4 years of training at an accredited optometric college to provide primary eye care services, including vision testing as well as the diagnosis and medical treatment of some eye problems. Optometrists are licensed by a separate state regulatory board. An optometrist is not a medical doctor.

Opticians are technicians who are trained to dispense eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids, using prescriptions provided by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Opticians do not perform eye exams or write prescriptions. Opticians are not permitted to diagnose or treat eye diseases.

Learn more

Idaho Society of Ophthalmology

OPPOSE RECKLESS SURGERY LEGISLATION

Idaho Society of Ophthalmology: A Clear Vision for Safe Surgeries

What is an Ophthalmologist?

About Us

Our Team

Find an Ophthalmologist

Eye Health Information

Eye Health Information

Find an Ophthalmologist

Eye Health Information

Find an Ophthalmologist

Find an Ophthalmologist

Find an Ophthalmologist

Contribute to IOPAC

Our Partners

Stay in Touch

Idaho Society of Ophthalmology

OPPOSE RECKLESS SURGERY LEGISLATION

Idaho Society of Ophthalmology: A Clear Vision for Safe Surgeries

What is an Ophthalmologist?

About Us

Our Team

Find an Ophthalmologist

Eye Health Information

Eye Health Information

Find an Ophthalmologist

Eye Health Information

Find an Ophthalmologist

Find an Ophthalmologist

Find an Ophthalmologist

Contribute to IOPAC

Our Partners

Stay in Touch

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