New bill expands scope of practice for West Virginia optometrists

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The recent passage of West Virginia’s Senate Bill (SB) 565 has made the state the thirteenth in the country to authorize optometrists for ophthalmic lasers. The bill, which passed on May 1, allows for West Virginian ODs to provide certain in-office procedures such as laser treatments, according to an American Optometric Association (AOA) news release. The new law will take effect on July 9, 2025.¹

“We’re incredibly proud of what this means for our patients,” says Laura Suppa, OD, president of the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians (WVAOP), in the release. “This legislation will allow optometrists to deliver essential care, like managing certain eye conditions and performing minor procedures, without patients having to travel long distances or wait weeks for an appointment. It’s a win for public health and for West Virginia families.”

According to the AOA, more than 146,000 ophthalmic procedures have been performed safely by optometrists in the 12 other states that have permitted these scope of practice expansions.¹

“This is a monumental step forward for health care in West Virginia,” says Chad Robinson, WVAOP executive director, in the release. “SB 565 ensures that our highly trained optometrists can practice to the full extent of their education, training, and licensure—bringing more timely, accessible care to West Virginians where they are. We’re grateful to our representatives for recognizing the importance of this legislation.”

The AOA also stated in the release that advancing scope of optometric practice has led to an increase in the number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving YAG procedures, resulted in a gradual substitution between optometrists and ophthalmologists in the market for YAG procedures, and has made a larger impact in rural areas in comparison to urban areas.¹

“The future of optometry and access to critical patient eye health and vision care lies in the ability for doctors of optometry to adapt and expand the profession’s scope of practice, which has long been a key priority for the AOA and affiliates across the country,” says AOA President Steven T. Reed, OD, in the release. “The AOA is committed to supporting the fight for this important progress across the country.”

In other West Virginian news

Other recent legislative optometric news in West Virginia is House Bill 3444, which has passed both the House and the Senate and awaiting to be signed into law. If signed, the bill would remove the mandate that all newborns in the state receive erythromycin ointment applied to their eyes after birth, which helps prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. The bill would repeal several sections of the Code of West Virginia that outline the duties and responsibilities related to the reporting, treatment, and management of ophthalmia neonatorum by health care providers, local health officers, and county officials.²

“With removal of the mandate, legislators are opting for parental notification and choice as to whether their newborn child receives the ointment—a topical noninvasive intervention,” a statement from Prevent Blindness arguing against the bill stated.² “The legislation does not, however, provide a clear method to define or ensure that informed parental consent has occurred. While providers will still move forward with clinical practice standards set by the American Academy of Pediatrics in application of a topical prophylaxis, the removal of a mandate creates a pathway for parental confusion and misinformation to the science that has driven this proven public health intervention.”

References:

1. Major victory for West Virginia patients and optometrists. News release. American Optometric Association. May 8, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2025.

2. Joy J. Prevent Blindness urges West Virginia State Legislature to reject a bill proposing mandate removal for newborn eye care. Optometry Times. April 17, 2025. May 12, 2025. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/prevent-blindness-urges-west-virginia-state-legislature-to-reject-a-bill-proposing-mandate-removal-for-newborn-eye-care