AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-19-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISEASES AND CONDITIONS THAT OPTOMETRISTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO EXAMINE, DIAGNOSE AND MANAGE; TO PROVIDE THAT AN OPTOMETRIST MAY UTILIZE LOCAL ANESTHESIA IN THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN PROCEDURES; TO PROVIDE THAT NO OPTOMETRIST SHALL PERFORM CATARACT SURGERY NOR ANY OTHER INTRAOCULAR SURGERY NOT SPECIFICALLY ALLOWED IN THIS STATUTE; TO PROVIDE THAT AN OPTOMETRIST MAY PERFORM YAG LASER POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMIES IF HE/SHE HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE BOARD OF OPTOMETRY TO PERFORM OPTOMETRIC YAG LASER POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY PROCEDURES; TO AMEND SECTION 73-19-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT ALLOWS OPTOMETRISTS TO USE PHARMACEUTICAL AGENTS IN THEIR PRACTICE; TO AMEND SECTION 73-19-157, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE OPTOMETRISTS THE AUTHORITY TO USE AND PRESCRIBE CERTAIN PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6
Committee Substitute: 73-19-1, 73-19-27, 73-19-157, 73-19-151, 73-19-153, 73-19-155, 73-19-159, 73-19-161, 73-19-163, 73-19-165
As Passed by the House: 73-19-1, 73-19-27, 73-19-157, 73-19-151, 73-19-153, 73-19-155, 73-19-159, 73-19-161, 73-19-163, 73-19-165
Approved by the Governor: 73-19-1, 73-19-27, 73-19-157