201 Ky. Admin. Regs. 5:110

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 201 KAR 5:110 - Expanded therapeutic procedures

RELATES TO: KRS 320.210(2), 320.240(4), (5), (7), 320.310(1)

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 320.240(4) authorizes the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners to promulgate administrative regulations for 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) The optometrist:

(a) Is currently therapeutically licensed in Kentucky; and

(b) Provides proof of completion of a course approved by the board that includes:

1. Didactic classroom 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, and 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 with a program that includes all of the education, training, and testing requirements established in Section 1 of this administrative regulation; or

(2) By the end of the second 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 second licensure renewal period, the licensee provides 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 provides documentation to the board from a board approved preceptor indicating that the optometrist has:

(a) Performed the anterior segment laser procedure in the presence of the board approved qualified preceptor; and

(b) Demonstrated clinical proficiency to the board approved preceptor in the performance of the procedure on a living human eye.

(2) The board approved preceptor shall document in writing the preceptor's observations of the optometrist's performance and state that the optometrist has satisfactorily demonstrated the optometrist's knowledge and qualifications in the performance of the procedure.

(3) A board approved 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 established in this administrative regulation shall be grounds for discipline pursuant to the requirements of KRS 320.310(1).

(2) An injection into the posterior segment/chamber or retinal tissue to treat any macular or retinal disease shall be prohibited 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) The five (5) required contact credit hours in expanded therapeutic procedures shall not be obtained through the internet.

Section 7. Applications and Forms.

(1) An education provider shall complete and submit the Application for Expanded Therapeutic Procedures Course.

(2) A current licensee applying for credentialing for expanded therapeutic procedures who has completed the thirty-two (32) hour expanded therapeutic procedures course shall complete and submit the Application for Kentucky Licensed Optometrist to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures.

(3) Each new applicant shall complete the Application for New Applicant to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures.

(4) An applicant already licensed in another state and credentialed in expanded therapeutic procedures who is applying for Kentucky licensure shall complete and submit the Application for Endorsement to be Credentialed to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Procedures.

(5) A licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist who is a professor or adjunct professor at a college of optometry or medicine and who is licensed and qualified to practice expanded therapeutic laser procedures shall complete and submit the Preceptor Approval Form.

(6) After a preceptor has observed an optometrist successfully perform a laser procedure pursuant to Section 4 of this administrative regulation, the preceptor shall complete and submit the Preceptor Evaluation of Expanded Therapeutic Laser Procedure.

(7) After an optometrist has successfully performed a laser procedure observed by a preceptor, the optometrist shall complete and submit the Application to Utilize Expanded Therapeutic Laser Procedures.

Section 8. 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.

201 KAR 5:110

38 Ky.R. 167; 621; 872; 11-4-2011; 42 Ky.R. 826; 1461; eff. 11-18-2015; Cert eff. 11/10/2022.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 320.210(2), 320.240(4), (5), (7)