74th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2007 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 1976
 
                           B-Engrossed
 
                         Senate Bill 656
                   Ordered by the House June 7
 Including Senate Amendments dated April 16 and House Amendments
                          dated June 7
 
Sponsored by Senator CARTER; Senators AVAKIAN, BURDICK, DEVLIN,
  FERRIOLI, G GEORGE, GORDLY, WINTERS, Representative MACPHERSON
  (at the request of Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Requires optometrist treating patient for glaucoma to consult
with ophthalmologist under certain conditions. Reorganizes
certain existing statutory provisions.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to practice of optometry; creating new provisions; and
  amending ORS 683.270.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + Section 2 of this 2007 Act is added to and made
a part of ORS 683.010 to 683.310. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) Optometrists utilizing pharmaceutical
agents shall be held to the same standards of liability as
persons licensed as physicians to practice medicine and surgery
by the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Oregon under
ORS chapter 677.
  (2) Notwithstanding ORS 683.010 (3), an optometrist may remove
superficial foreign bodies from the eye and its appendages.
  (3)(a) An optometrist treating a patient with antiglaucoma
medication shall consult with an ophthalmologist if:
  (A) The glaucoma progresses despite the use of two glaucoma
medications;
  (B) More than two medications are required to control the
glaucoma; or
  (C) A secondary glaucoma develops.
  (b) Glaucoma shall be considered to be progressing if, in
comparison to prior examinations, there is a reproducible
worsening of the patient's visual field as measured by standard
threshold testing or if there is a worsening of the patient's
optic nerve as measured by direct observation or standard imaging
technology or by rising eye pressure despite the use of
medication. Glaucoma shall be considered to be under control if
target eye pressure, individualized for each patient, is
maintained with no abnormal glaucomatous progression.
 
 
  (c) For purposes of this subsection, a combination medication
that contains two pharmacologic agents shall be considered one
medication. + }
  SECTION 3. ORS 683.270 is amended to read:
  683.270.   { - (1) - }  The powers and duties of the Oregon
Board of Optometry are as follows:
    { - (a) - }   { + (1) + } To organize and elect from its
membership a president and vice president of the board, each of
whom shall hold office for one year, or until the election and
qualification of a successor.
    { - (b) - }   { + (2) + } To adopt and use a common seal.
    { - (c) - }   { + (3) + } To employ agents and inspectors to
secure evidence of and report on all violations of this chapter
and to employ other necessary assistance in the carrying out of
the provisions of this chapter, and to pay the same from the
funds provided in ORS 683.010 to 683.335.
    { - (d) - }   { + (4) + } To hold regular meetings at least
once a year at which an examination of applicants for licenses
shall be held at such places as the board shall from time to time
designate, and special meetings upon request of a majority of the
members of the board or upon the call of the president.
    { - (e) - }   { + (5) + } To keep an accurate record of all
proceedings of the board and of all of its meetings, of all
prosecutions for violations of ORS 683.010 to 683.335, and of all
examinations held for applicants for licenses, with the names and
addresses of all persons taking examinations and their success or
failure to pass such examinations. All the records of the board
shall be public and shall be kept in the office of the board.
    { - (f) - }   { + (6) + } To keep an accurate inventory of
all property of the board and of the state in the possession of
the board and to obtain a receipt therefor from its successor.
    { - (g) - }   { + (7) + } To keep a register of optometrists
which shall contain the names and addresses of all persons to
whom licenses have been issued in the State of Oregon, together
with the date of the issuance of the license and the place or
places of business in which each optometrist is engaged, and all
renewals, revocations and suspensions thereof.
    { - (h) - }   { + (8) + } To grant or refuse to grant
licenses as provided in ORS 683.010 to 683.335 and to impose any
of the sanctions for any of the causes specified in ORS 683.140.
    { - (i) - }   { + (9) + } To administer oaths and take
testimony upon granting and revoking or suspending any
certificate of registration or any other certificate established
by the board for the protection of the public.
    { - (j) - }   { + (10) + } To designate pharmaceutical agents
for topical use in the practice of optometry with the advice and
guidance of the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of
Oregon.
    { - (k) - }   { + (11) + } To adopt rules not inconsistent
with the laws of this state as are necessary or proper to carry
out the lawful powers and duties of the board, as may be
necessary or proper to establish license fees and license terms
or duration, to determine the qualifications of applicants for a
license and of licensees to practice optometry in this state, and
to establish educational and professional standards for such
applicants, subject to the laws of this state. If an applicant
fails to pass a second examination the board may adopt rules
which may provide the required courses of study before further
examination.
    { - (2) Optometrists utilizing pharmaceutical agents shall be
held to the same standards of liability as persons licensed as
physicians to practice medicine and surgery by the Board of
Medical Examiners for the State of Oregon under ORS chapter
677. - }
    { - (3) Prior to instituting treatment with antiglaucoma
medication, optometrists shall consult with an ophthalmologist or
other doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed under
ORS chapter 677. - }
    { - (4) Notwithstanding ORS 683.010 (3), an optometrist may
remove superficial foreign bodies from the eye and its
appendages. - }
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