House Bill 306 would allow optometrists to prescribe oral medications to treat a patient's eyes or for an allergic shock reaction. Currently Alaskan optometrists are limited to prescribing only topical medications, while optometrists in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Guam are able to prescribe systemic medications.

The course of study that optometrists undergo is comparable or exceeds that required of their peers in the health care professions who are already granted the ability to prescribe medications. Optometry programs include several semesters of pharmacology, in addition to studies in human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Optometrists, like dentists and podiatrists, attend four years of graduate school after receiving their undergraduate degree, while nurse practitioners and physician assistants only complete two years of graduate school. Yet of these professions, only optometrists are limited to prescribing topical agents.

Regulations are already in place to ensure that only qualified optometrists may prescribe systemic medications. Optometrists must pass an exam, such as the "Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease" from the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and must show that they have completed the necessary continuing education in pharmacology each year in order to prescribe any medications authorized under statute.

Increasing optometrists' prescribing authority will be of benefit to Alaskan patients, preventing those who require oral or injectible prescriptions from having to visit a general practitioner in addition to their regular optometrist. This will save patients time and money, and allow optometrists greater participation in their patients' care.

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