201 KAR 5:110. Expanded therapeutic procedures.
RELATES TO:
KRS 320.210(2) and 320.240(4), (5), and (7)
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 320.210(2) and
320.240(4), (5), and (7)
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS
320.240(4) grants the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners the authority to
promulgate reasonable regulations and the board’s administrative regulations
shall include the 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)(a) The optometrist is currently
therapeutically licensed in Kentucky; and
(b). Provides proof of completion of a
course approved by the Board that includes:
1. The following didactic instruction:
Class room 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,
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 whose
program includes all of the education, training, and testing requirements
established in Section 1; or
(2) By the end of the first 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 first licensure
renewal period, the licensee shall provide 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:
(a) Provides documentation to the board
from a board approved preceptor indicating that the optometrist has:
1. Performed the anterior segment laser
procedure in the presence of the board approved qualified preceptor; and
2. Demonstrated clinical proficiency in
the performance of the procedure on a living human eye to the satisfaction of
the board approved qualified preceptor.
(2) The board approved qualified
preceptor shall document in writing the preceptor’s observations of the
optometrist’s performance and state that the optometrist has satisfactorily demonstrated
his knowledge and qualifications in the performance of the procedure.
(3) A board approved qualified 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 outlined
in this administrative regulation shall be grounds for discipline pursuant to
the requirements of KRS 320.310(1).
(2) Injections into the posterior
segment/chamber or retinal tissue to treat any macular or retinal disease shall
not be permitted 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) None of the five (5) required contact
credit hours in expanded therapeutic procedures may be obtained through the
internet.
Section 7. 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. (38 Ky.R. 167; 621;
872; 11-4-2011.)
