Tighe Richardson

I oppose this bill. As a practicing ophthalmologist and cornea specialist, that is, a medical doctor who specializes in eye medicine and surgery, specifically transplants and LASIK laser vision correction, I know from experience that doing surgery on the eye requires extensive and lengthy training under the supervision of experienced specialists, and hands on work with real patients. The major issue in terms of performing ophthalmologic surgery, incisional or laser, is that you must be able to identify and manage complications. As an ophthalmologist I have spent 8 years in training to know how to identify complications with surgery and the management of these issues. Ophthalmologic training has been long established in this country. Optometrists are good at what they do. However, exposure to procedures does not equal training, let a lone training that makes them competent to perform surgeries, let alone recognize and handle complications. This bill puts the visual health of patients at risk. Optometrists have cited lack of availability of ophthalmology for laser surgery. Laser IOP treatments and laser secondary cataract treatments are not urgent procedures. They are planned out and done around patient's schedules. I sincerely express my desire to have optometrists continue to provide great optometric care, but leave ophthalmologic surgery and laser to those who are trained to perform it, manage it post operatively, and those who are trained and versed in the management of complications. I implore you to oppose this bill and continue to protect the visual health of NH residents.