Thursday, March 7, 2013

TN MDs Oppose Bill Giving ODs the Right to Inject Local Anesthesia

The Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology is opposing a recently filed bill (SB220/HB555) which, as amended, would allow optometrists to inject local anesthesia into the delicate tissue surrounding the eyelid in order to perform surgery. Optometrists are currently restricted to using topical anesthetic to remove what they call “lumps and bumps.” The legislation reportedly would allow optometrists to perform more advanced surgical procedures that require an injectable anesthetic. Read more.

KnoxNews reports that “Jeremy Diamond, an optometrist who practices in Morristown and Newport, Tenn., said providers like himself are already allowed to inject steroids and antibiotics. They can only apply a topical anesthesia, which Diamond said takes 30 to 40 minutes to become effective.” Read more.

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