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Old 03-12-2008, 01:13 AM   #462
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VA Hopeful Dr View Post
In this ideal world, I doubt every state would go up to the level of Oklahoma. That being said, I also don't think its unreasonable for the ODs to desire to practice up to what their education allows.
Back to the main topic and let's keep this civil please.

I agree with this. Unfortunately, optometrists are not trained to do the surgeries these bills are asking for. Optometric education is good, but without an established mechanism to train surgeons, then optometrists need to decide BEFORE making the choice: do I apply to optometry school or do I go to medical school. This is what I did before applying to medical school. I wanted to be a surgeon so I went to medical school. We waste so much time, effort and money in arguing about surgical privileges for health care providers who are not trained to do these surgeries.

If optometrists want equal compensation for their work and punctal occlusion as well as minor "non-surgical" procedures, then ask for that in a federal bill. Why ask for permission to do everything short of general anesthesia when optometric schools are not training their students in these areas? This is what I don't understand.

Again, please keep this discussion civil and polite. Do not post if you cannot be calm and polite.
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