The optometric community secured its latest legislative win last week after Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a new law authorizing doctors of optometry to perform ophthalmic lasers.
The state is now the 17th to permit such scope of practice advancements (but more on that later).
Let’s talk details on this latest legislation.
First introduced into the Vermont Senate in February 2025, S.64 (Act 171) was passed in the House with a vote of 93-38.
What it does: Creates an Advanced Specialty License that will allow for doctors of optometry licensed to practice in the state of Vermont—who have completed the required training and obtained an advanced therapeutics specialty—to perform additional in-office procedures.
Among these: Certain ophthalmic laser procedures.
Can you get more specific on that?
These permitted procedures include:
- Corneal cross-linking (CXL)
- Laser capsulotomy
- Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI)
- Laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)
- Periocular injections for medications and anesthesia
- Removal of certain eyelid and periocular lesions
- Repair of minor eyelid injuries
And the qualifications for this?
Optometrists must meet “educational and competency requirements” consisting of supervised clinical training and passing specific examinations for “those who graduated prior to 2019.”
Noted. What else?
The bill also clarifies what constitutes prohibited practices for optometrists, including most other ophthalmic surgeries as well as the administration of certain controlled substances—though a limited supply of hydrocodone is allowed.
Plus, the State Board of Optometry must mandate continuing education (CE) for doctors of optometry who hold the new advanced specialty.
Speaking of the Board … how will it be impacted?
Via a membership change. The Board will now require the addition of:
- One ophthalmologist member (with at least 5 years of ophthalmic experience and an active practicing license)
- At least one optometrist member who holds an advanced therapeutic procedures speciality license (in other words: is trained to perform those in-office ophthalmic procedures)
- The timeframe for this: By Jan. 1, 2031
Is that it?
Just one more piece to this: The legislation establishes reporting requirements for adverse events (AEs) related to these advanced procedures (once it goes into effect, of course).
And when will that be?
July 1, 2028.
Now, let’s talk big picture.
As we mentioned earlier, Vermont is now the 17th state to authorize qualifying optometrists to perform ophthalmic laser procedures—following two other states that passed their own legislation earlier this year:
- Kansas, in March (see our coverage)
- Tennessee, in April (see our coverage)
Nice! But this optometric victory wasn’t without some opposition, right?
But of course. While one lawmaker stated they were voting yes “for rural access and the opportunity for availability when my constituents need urgent eyecare,” another was quoted as saying, “If you want to support rural Vermonters, support ongoing hospital transformation efforts and shared services, instead of providing subpar care to your rural constituents.”
- Just to clarify: That lawmaker voted “no.”
In related news: See coverage on New Hampshire’s governor rejecting statewide legislation that would have permitted optometrists to perform three ophthalmic procedures.
Yikes. Last question: What have optometric associations had to say about this?
"Vermont's victory is about more than one state; it reflects the growing momentum behind expanding patient access to care across America," stated Jacquie M. Bowen, OD, president of the American Optometric Association (AOA), in the organization’s coverage of the bill.
- Dr. Bowen added that the “historic win” is a demonstration of the increasing recognition of optometrists as “essential healthcare providers.”
Vermont Optometric Association (VOA) President Tina Keshava, OD, expressed similar sentiments: “This legislation will improve access to care across our state and help more patients receive the services they need closer to home."
*Disclaimer: The information provided in this article does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available herein are for general information purposes only.