Proposed Optometrists Regulations Approved

• {Kentucky}...The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee approved proposed regulations Tuesday that would allow optometrists in Kentucky to do some of the surgical procedures now reserved for ophthalmologists. That approval came despite the best efforts of the Kentucky Medical Association to derail the controversial move. The proposed regulations, which specify the amount of training required for optometrists, still need approval of a full legislative committee and the governor. Physicians complained Tuesday that the proposed regulations would allow optometrists to do surgeries after 32 hours of training, far less than the 17,000 hours required of ophthalmologists.