PRK Certified

[OptometryG4]

---

Members don't see this ad.

If I became an optometrist in California and I wanted to do PRK like in Oklahoma... How would I go about getting information on getting certified? Anyone have some web information. Any idea how much additional schooling is needed?

 

[KHE]

If I became an optometrist in California and I wanted to do PRK like in Oklahoma... How would I go about getting information on getting certified? Anyone have some web information. Any idea how much additional schooling is needed?

Oklahoma is the only state in the US that allows optometrists to perform that procedure. You will not be able to do it in California.

 

[OptometryG4]

Thank you for your reply, but I know this. I want to know about if I move there and practice...

 

[JMU07]

Google:

Oklahoma state law ensures that optometrists will be well trained to perform laser procedures. When the Oklahoma bill was written, the optometric licensure board established very rigorous requirements for optometrists planning to perform laser surgery.

According to Keri Shields, coordinator of continuing education, Oklahoma College of Optometry, Northeastern State University, the school offers a 16-hour course on anterior segment surgery with Nd: YAG and argon lasers and a 19-hour PRK course.

Optometrists can earn certification to perform anterior segment laser procedures after completing that course, but additional requirements are necessary for PRK certification. Prerequisites for the PRK course include completing the anterior segment laser course, proof of therapeutic license, a Drug Enforcement Administration number and proof of malpractice insurance.

For certification by the state board of examiners, O.D.s must complete the laser vision course, and training by the manufacturer of a laser approved by the FDA. Then an O.D. must complete four proctored cases and submit postoperative reports

 

[alferec]

Are there any optometrists out there actually doing these procedures???

 

[362.04]

Dear OptometryG4,

I've talked to one of the past faculty for their wet labs and demo site and the best way to get certified to do any laser in OK is to go to Northeastern itself.

 

[Oculomotor]

alferec

I talked to the director of the OAOP (Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians) and he said that out of the 500 OD's in the state about 200 or so do use anterior segment laser procedures in their practices....



Hope that helps

 

[362.04]

Oculomotor,

Do you know if they did a breakdown of how many are doing YAG caps or ALT? PRK?

 

[Oculomotor]

Actually I never got the details on that from him. I know there are some that do the PRK through the conversation with that director of the OAOP. I was just curious because I could schedule a rotation through there and it would be good experience.

 

[armstrong77]

Is there a cost differential in OK for PRK between ODs and ophthos at typical clinics?

 

[Meibomian SxN]

alferec

I talked to the director of the OAOP (Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians) and he said that out of the 500 OD's in the state about 200 or so do use anterior segment laser procedures in their practices....

Hope that helps

Wow, I thought OK had their legislation changed back to no lasers. Good job OK! Hopefully other states can use that as a model and follow up instead of pursuing B.C. 😡