Optometry: certification to perform advanced procedures.

Existing law, the Optometry Practice Act, establishes the State Board of Optometry in the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure and regulation of the practice of optometry. Existing law makes a violation of the act a misdemeanor. Existing law excludes certain classes of agents from the practice of optometry unless they have an explicit United States Food and Drug Administration-approved indication, as specified. This bill would add neuromuscular blockers to the list of excluded classes of agents. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires an optometrist who holds a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification and meets specified requirements to be certified to medically treat authorized glaucomas. This bill would authorize an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma to obtain certification to perform specified advanced procedures in a patient 18 years of age or older if the optometrist meets certain education, training, examination, and other requirements, as specified. By requiring optometrists, qualified educators, and course administrators to certify or attest specified information relating to advanced procedure competency, thus expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the board to set a fee for the issuance and renewal of the certificate authorizing the use of advanced procedures, which would be deposited in the Optometry Fund. The bill would require an optometrist who performs advanced procedures pursuant to these provisions to report certain information to the board, including any adverse treatment outcomes that required a referral to or consultation with another health care provider. The bill would require the board to compile a report summarizing the data collected and make the report available on the board's internet website. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.