The Alaska Senate unanimously passed a piece of legislation extending the termination date of the Board of Examiners in Optometry. Senate Bill 186 extends statutory authorization for the existing Board of Examiners in Optometry to June 30, 2028. Adopting said bill will continue existing activities by the board and administration by the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing.
Sen. Mia Costello (Anchorage) said:
“This bill extends the Board of Optometry until June 30, 2028. Optometrists provide the majority of eye care to patients in Alaska. in person comprehensive exam by a Doctor of Optometry is a medically recognized standard to ensure precise and healthy vision. They are recognized as physicians under Medicare. Eye exams also safeguard overall health by enabling detection of more than 270 serious health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, and cancers. In 2018 alone, Doctor of Optometry nationwide identified signs of diabetes in more than 300,000 patients who did not know that they had the condition.”
Costello said that the Alaska Board of Examiners in Optometry is essential to the practice of optometry in Alaska:
“(The Board) has done an outstanding job of regulating the profession for decades. It is a self-funded regulatory body, which helps to protect the public by implementing standards of care, ongoing education, and training in the field of optometry. They have once again received an overall favorable audit by our state auditor and their work is important for the public.”
Senate Bill 186 passed on a 16-0 vote and on the way to the Alaska House of Representatives for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.
