Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024
RELATES TO:
KRS
320.210(2),
320.240(4),
(5), (7),
320.310(1)
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:
KRS
320.240(4) authorizes the
Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners to promulgate administrative regulations
for classification and licensure of optometrists by examination and
credentials.
KRS
320.240(5) requires a
therapeutically licensed optometrist to meet educational and competence
criteria set forth by the board in order to perform expanded therapeutic
procedures, and evidence of proof of continuing competency shall be determined
by the board. This administrative regulation establishes the educational and
competence criteria necessary for a therapeutically licensed optometrist to
perform expanded therapeutic procedures.
Section
1. Qualifications for a Kentucky Licensed Optometrist to be
Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures. A Kentucky licensed
optometrist shall be credentialed to perform expanded therapeutic procedures
if:
(1) The applicant provides proof that the
applicant:
(a) Holds an active license in good
standing by another state;
(b) Is
also credentialed by that state to perform expanded therapeutic procedures;
and
(c) The requirements in the
state of licensure for performing expanded therapeutic procedures meet or
exceed the requirements in this section; or
(2) The optometrist:
(a) Is currently therapeutically licensed in
Kentucky; and
(b) Provides proof of
completion of a course approved by the board that includes:
1. Didactic classroom instruction covering:
a. Laser physics; hazards and
safety;
b. Biophysics of
laser;
c. Laser application in
clinical optometry;
d. Laser tissue
interactions;
e. Laser indications;
contraindications and potential complications;
f. Gonioscopy;
g. Laser therapy for open angle
glaucoma;
h. Laser therapy for
angle closure glaucoma;
i.
Posterior capsulotomy;
j. Common
complications; lids, lashes, and lacrimal;
k. Medicolegal aspects of anterior segment
procedures;
l. Peripheral
iridotomy;
m. Laser
trabeculoplasty
n. Minor surgical
procedures;
o. Overview of surgical
instruments; asepsis and OSHA;
p.
The surgical anatomy of the eyelids;
q. Emergency surgical procedures;
r. Chalazion management;
s. Epilumeninesence microscopy;
t. Suture techniques;
u. Local anesthesia; techniques and
complications;
v. Anaphylaxsis and
other office emergencies;
w.
Radiofrequency surgery; and
x.
Post-operative wound care;
2. Clinical or laboratory experience
including:
a. Video tape
demonstration;
b. In vitro
observation or participation;
c. In
vivo observation; and
d. A formal
clinical or laboratory practical examination; and
3. Passage of a written test utilizing the
National Board of Examiners in Optometry format.
(3) A board approved course shall be:
(a) Provided by an accredited optometry or
medical school;
(b) Taught by
full-time or adjunct faculty members of an accredited optometry or medical
school;
(c) A minimum of thirty-two
(32) clock hours in length; and
(d)
Sponsored by an organization that meets the standards of
201 KAR
5:030.
Section 2. Qualifications for a New Applicant
for Licensure to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures. A
new applicant for licensure as an optometrist shall be credentialed to perform
expanded therapeutic procedures if:
(1) The
applicant provides proof that the applicant has graduated from an optometry
school with a program that includes all of the education, training, and testing
requirements established in Section 1 of this administrative regulation;
or
(2) By the end of the second
licensure renewal period, the licensee shall provide proof of compliance with
Section 1 of this administrative regulation.
Section 3. Qualifications for an Applicant
for Licensure by Endorsement to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic
Procedures. An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall be credentialed to
perform expanded therapeutic procedures in Kentucky if:
(1) The applicant provides proof that:
(a) The applicant holds an active license in
good standing by another state;
(b)
Is credentialed by that state to perform expanded therapeutic procedures;
and
(c) The requirements in the
state of licensure for performing expanded therapeutic procedures meet or
exceed the requirements in Section 1; or
(2) By the end of the second licensure
renewal period, the licensee provides proof of compliance with Section 1 of
this administrative regulation.
Section 4. Qualifications for an Optometrist
to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Laser Procedures.
(1) An optometrist credentialed in Kentucky
to perform expanded therapeutic procedures shall be credentialed to perform
expanded therapeutic laser procedures if the optometrist provides documentation
to the board from a board approved preceptor indicating that the optometrist
has:
(a) Performed the anterior segment laser
procedure in the presence of the board approved qualified preceptor;
and
(b) Demonstrated clinical
proficiency to the board approved preceptor in the performance of the procedure
on a living human eye.
(2) The board approved preceptor shall
document in writing the preceptor's observations of the optometrist's
performance and state that the optometrist has satisfactorily demonstrated the
optometrist's knowledge and qualifications in the performance of the
procedure.
(3) A board approved
preceptor shall be:
(a) A licensed optometrist
or ophthalmologist whose license is in good standing;
(b) A full-time or adjunct faculty member of
an accredited optometry or medical school; and
(c) Credentialed in the expanded therapeutic
procedure or expanded therapeutic laser procedure that the preceptor is
teaching.
Section
5. Prohibitions and Referrals.
(1) Performing expanded therapeutic
procedures without credentialing based upon the education requirements
established in this administrative regulation shall be grounds for discipline
pursuant to the requirements of
KRS
320.310(1).
(2) An injection into the posterior
segment/chamber or retinal tissue to treat any macular or retinal disease shall
be prohibited under
KRS
320.210(2)(b)16.
(3) Any eyelid or adnexal lesion found to be
malignant shall be referred to a practitioner trained and qualified to treat
those lesions.
Section 6.
Annual Course of Study.
(1) In addition to the
continuing education credit hours required by
201 KAR
5:030, Section 1(1) and (2)(a) and (b), an optometrist
who is credentialed by the board to perform expanded therapeutic procedures
shall attend a minimum of five (5) additional credit hours in expanded
therapeutic procedures, for a total of twenty (20) continuing education
credits.
(2) The five (5) required
contact credit hours in expanded therapeutic procedures shall not be obtained
through the internet.
Section
7. Applications and Forms.
(1)
An education provider shall complete and submit the Application for Expanded
Therapeutic Procedures Course.
(2)
A current licensee applying for credentialing for expanded therapeutic
procedures who has completed the thirty-two (32) hour expanded therapeutic
procedures course shall complete and submit the Application for Kentucky
Licensed Optometrist to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic
Procedures.
(3) Each new applicant
shall complete the Application for New Applicant to be Credentialed to Utilize
Expanded Therapeutic Procedures.
(4) An applicant already licensed in another
state and credentialed in expanded therapeutic procedures who is applying for
Kentucky licensure shall complete and submit the Application for Endorsement to
be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures.
(5) A licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist
who is a professor or adjunct professor at a college of optometry or medicine
and who is licensed and qualified to practice expanded therapeutic laser
procedures shall complete and submit the Preceptor Approval Form.
(6) After a preceptor has observed an
optometrist successfully perform a laser procedure pursuant to Section 4 of
this administrative regulation, the preceptor shall complete and submit the
Preceptor Evaluation of Expanded Therapeutic Laser Procedure.
(7) After an optometrist has successfully
performed a laser procedure observed by a preceptor, the optometrist shall
complete and submit the Application to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Laser
Procedures.
Section 8.
Incorporation by Reference.
(1) The following
material is incorporated by reference:
(a)
"Application for Expanded Therapeutic Procedures Course", August
2011;
(b) "Application for Kentucky
Licensed Optometrist to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic
Procedures", August 2011;
(c)
"Application for New Applicant to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded
Therapeutic Procedures", August 2011;
(d) "Application for Endorsement to be
Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures", August
2011;
(e) "Preceptor Approval
Form", August 2011;
(f) "Preceptor
Evaluation of Expanded Therapeutic Laser Procedure", August 2011; and
(g) "Application to Utilize Expanded
Therapeutic Laser Procedure(s)", August 2011.
(2) This material may be inspected, copied,
or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Board of
Optometric Examiners, 163 W. Short St., Suite 550, Lexington, Kentucky 40507,
telephone (859) 246-2744, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
KRS
320.210(2),
320.240(4),
(5),
(7)
