In
Vermont, despite a 40-page report by the state’s Office of Professional Regulation opposing surgery by optometrists, the legislature still introduced the bill, and consideration is expected there in 2024. We took losses in
Colorado and
Virginia where, despite our aggressive appeals to the public and voter preference for surgery by surgeons, the legislatures advanced bills granting surgical approvals for optometrists. These losses will embolden optometry in neighboring states to attempt copycat laws. We need to be prepared, and we need to support the
Surgical Scope Fund to fight more challenges in 2023.