Advocacy News

Academy members made use of a powerful opportunity to advance the Academy’s key priorities, engaging with legislators and their staff while in their home districts, away from Capitol Hill.

The new name reflects an expanded mission to defend physician-led surgical eye care through support for legislative, regulatory, legal, and public advocacy.

AAO 2026 is a great time to delve into the Academy's advocacy efforts and meet those who are making a difference in federal and state legislation. Whether you stop by the OPHTHPAC® and Safe Surgery Action Fund (formerly the Surgical Scope Fund) booths to learn about our work, join us at our reception, or attend one of our advocacy sessions, we’re looking forward to seeing you this year in New Orleans. All sessions are in Central Time.

Ignoring patient safety concerns, Vermont lawmakers passed S.64, authorizing optometrists to perform surgical and laser procedures. The Academy remains committed to patient safety and will continue to fight in the states for physician-led surgical eyecare.

The South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology successfully championed safe surgical care by convincing lawmakers to remove the optometric surgery language from the bill before it was voted on.

The Missouri Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons were able to defend patient safety from optometric scope expansion.

Gov. Bill Lee signed a multispecialty scope expansion bill into law, putting patients' sight at risk.

The Maine Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons successfully defended patient safety.

For the third straight year, New Hampshire ophthalmologists have successfully defended safe eye surgery.

Stay updated with the latest information on threats to safe eye surgery in Vermont.