In a recent column (“WV must revise optometry laws to attract new optometrists”), an optometrist espouses the need for lawmakers to “modernize” our state’s optometry laws. What she is really asking policy makers to do is change state law to allow optometrists, who are not medical doctors or trained surgeons, to perform eye surgery. If permitted, this will jeopardize the eye health of West Virginia patients.

Eye surgery is commonly performed to treat cataracts, glaucoma, tumors on the eyelid, and many other eye-related conditions. Many of these surgeries employ lasers which can cut, blast, and burn human tissue. These surgeries are advanced and delicate, requiring careful placement of laser energy into the eye. For example, YAG lasers turn liquid into gas by heating the tissue to 3,000 degrees for 4 nanoseconds. If not aimed carefully, it can have devastating results.