SB174 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Co-Sponsors

William “Bill” M. BeasleyJimmy HolleyJim McClendonClay ScofieldShay Shelnutt

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Optometrists, practice of optometry defined, Board of Optometry to regulate, Secs. 20-2-2, 34-22-1 am'd.

Summary

SB174 would expand optometrists' scope of practice in Alabama and designate the Alabama Board of Optometry as the sole regulator, while clarifying its role under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

What This Bill Does

It broadens what optometrists may diagnose and treat, adding certain medications and procedures to optometry practice. It allows optometrists to prescribe steroids and certain pharmaceutical agents (with board approval) and to administer narcotic analgesics under controlled substance rules with limits. It permits specific procedures (some injections, chalazion removal, lid lesion removal/biopsy, and certain laser procedures) but prohibits invasive surgeries requiring general anesthesia, including cataract, muscle, and retinal surgeries. It reinforces that the Board of Optometry is the exclusive regulator of optometry and may issue guidance, while it clarifies the board's status as a certifying board under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act with certain exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Optometrists in Alabama who would have an expanded scope of practice and must follow board regulations
• Patients in Alabama who could receive broader eye care services from optometrists, including certain medications and procedures, with specified safety and regulatory limits

Key Provisions

• Expands the scope of optometry to include examination, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye and visual system conditions, including fitting lenses, prescribing spectacles/contacts, administering certain medications, removing superficial foreign bodies, providing developmental/perceptual vision therapy, and performing primary eye care procedures.
• Allows optometrists to prescribe and administer commonly used pharmaceutical agents and narcotic analgesics under the Alabama Uniform Controlled Substances Act, with restrictions (no Schedule I or II narcotics; Schedule III drugs limited to a 96-hour prescription limit; use of steroids permitted with board approval).
• Explicitly authorizes steroids and other board-approved pharmaceutical agents for eye care, subject to board control over prescribing and administration.
• Authorizes specific procedures for optometrists, including certain injections (not into the posterior chamber for macular/retinal disease), chalazion incision/removal, lid/adnexa lesion removal/biopsy, laser capsulotomy, laser trabeculoplasty, laser peripheral iridotomy, and corneal crosslinking.
• Prohibits optometrists from performing injections into the eyeball and from performing invasive ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract surgery, muscle surgery, retinal surgery, radial keratotomy, refractive laser surgery, cryosurgery, or any other surgery requiring general anesthesia.
• Designates the Alabama Board of Optometry as the certifying board with sole authority to determine what constitutes the practice of optometry and to regulate the practice, while allowing the board to issue advisory opinions and declaratory rulings.
• Amends Section 20-2-2 to recognize the Board of Optometry as a certifying board under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, with specified exceptions, clarifying its regulatory role.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Optometry, Alabama Board of