Legal
FTC warns ECPs of legal action for potential Contact Lens Rule violations
Cease-and-desist letters have been sent to 24 practices across the U.S.
Legal
FDA scrutiny of unapproved CXL trials reveals critical lapses in patient safety and regulatory adherence
Clinicians’ failure to follow federal regulations with unapproved drugs sparks discussion on legal and ethical concerns.
Legal
West Virginia OD bill to permit use of ophthalmic lasers
Effective July 9, Senate Bill 565 will expand optometrists’ scope of practice to enable three specific in-office procedures.
Legal
Montana passes OD scope expansion for laser procedures
Set to take effect on July 1, H.B. 218 permits optometrists to perform in-office laser and surgical procedures across the state.
Legal
West Virginia bill to change newborn blindness prevention law
Lawmakers move to repeal mandate of applying antibiotic eye ointment post-birth to prevent potential blindness; Prevent Blindness urges rejection.
Legal
New Mexico governor vetoes optometric scope of expansion bill
Legislation proposed permitting in-state-practicing optometrists to perform SLT and YAG capsulotomy; potential future bill may still be considered.
Legal
New North Dakota bill establishes optometric telemedicine guidelines
Legislation prioritizes patient safety and increased access to standardized virtual care across the state.
Legal
Arkansas passes legislation regulating vision benefit managers
Initially set to take effect in August, Act 142 targets improved access to eye health and vision care as well as payment protections and fair reimbursements.
Legal
Warby Parker fined $1.5M over HIPAA violations after cyber attacks
Civil money penalty issued following federal investigation of breaches that resulted in thousands of customer information compromised.
Legal
Class action lawsuit filed against EzriCare over artificial tears
Latest filing alleges the company and other defendants, including Walgreens, violated federal regulations in distributing and selling contaminated products.
Legal
New OCTA CPT code goes into effect
Effective Jan. 1, ECPs now have a new billing code for reporting computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging of the retina.
Legal
Congress approves physician-level pay scale for VA optometrists
New designation from bipartisan reform legislation will raise entry-level salaries and enable more competitive compensation package.
Legal
FTC refunds over $1M to bait-and-switch LASIKPlus consumers
Agency will send +12,000 compensation payments totaling $1.1 million after falsely-advertised promo prices for LASIK surgery.
Legal
Updated Eyeglass Rule officially takes effect
FTC implements changes to longstanding rule for optometrists and ophthalmologists intended to promote competition and consumer choices.
Legal
FTC supports proposed FDA interchangeable biosimilar drug guidance
Agency notes potential marketplace benefits, including a simplified regulatory process, greater patient and provider access as well as increased competition.
Legal
LumiThera receives first CPT code for retina-based PBM therapy
New Category III code applies to the Valeda Light Delivery System, intended to treat dry AMD.
Legal
Optometry excluded in new DC scope of practice legislation
Bill originally proposed allowing ODs to prescribe and administer controlled substances as well as initiate glaucoma treatment without consulting a patient’s primary physician.
Legal
FTC adds final compliance-targeted updates to Eyeglass Rule
Changes to longstanding rule intend to promote competition and consumer choices.
Legal
Public support needed for landmark pediatric vision and eye health legislation
Proposed bipartisan bill would create the first federally-funded program to improve care across the country.
Legal