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Member
Area > Steroids Q&A
Featuring
Insight by Robert Stutman, O.D.
In
an effort to provide its membership with answers to their queries
concerning the passage of HB 719 and to clear any confusion,The
Maryland Optometric Association (MOA) Eye Witness caught up with
MOA Legislative Chair Rob Stutman, O.D. to get the facts surrounding
some frequently asked questions.
What
does the bill allow optometrists to prescribe/use in their practice?
What
happened to the anti-virals and alger brush?
What
is the next step after the governor signs the bill on May 10?
Who
will regulate the prescription of topical steroids?
What
role, if any, will ophthalmologists play, and will they have any
part in the regulation of optometrists’ use of topical steroids?
What
are the new licensing/CE requirements resulting from this new legislation?
What
is the earliest date ODs can actually begin prescribing topical
steroids to patients?
How
will ODs know when we’re allowed to start prescribing?
When
will CE courses be offered by MOA?
Do
optometrists who have already been prescribing topical steroids
in other states still need to complete the CE requirements for Maryland?
EW: What does the bill allow optometrists
to prescribe/use in their practice?
RS:
HB 719 allows Maryland ODs the privilege to prescribe topical steroids.
EW: What happened to the anti-virals and
alger brush?
RS:
Unfortunately, the right to prescribe anti-virals and use the alger
brush were not included in the legislation that passed.
EW: What is the next step after the governor
signs the bill on May 10?
RS:
Now that HB 719 has been signed, the Maryland Board of Examiners
in Optometry will be working with the Maryland Board of Physicians
to develop a protocol for the use of topical steroids.
EW: Who will regulate the prescription
of topical steroids?
RS:
The Maryland Board of Examiners in Optometry will regulate
the use of topical steroids just as they already regulate the use
of all other TPAs.
EW: What role, if any, will ophthalmologists
play, and will they have any part in the regulation of optometrists’
use of topical steroids?
RS:
Ophthalmologists do not have any part in regulating the use of TPAs
by Maryland ODs. This is the job of the Board of Examiners in Optometry.
EW: What are the new licensing/CE requirements
resulting from this new legislation?
RS:
Maryland ODs will need to complete an 8-hour course in the use of
topical steroids. This requirement can be used as part of the normal
50 hours that is already required for license renewal.
EW: What is the earliest date ODs can
actually begin prescribing topical steroids to patients?
RS:
As soon as the protocol is adopted and implemented by the board.
EW: How will ODs know when we’re
allowed to start prescribing?
RS:
Notification will be done by the Board of Examiners in Optometry.
EW: When will CE courses be offered by
MOA?
RS:
At this printing, the MOA is currently developing a course that
will likely be presented at the annual MOA convention this coming
November.
EW: Do optometrists who have already
been prescribing topical steroids in other states still need to
complete the CE requirements for Maryland?
RS:
ODs coming from other states will need to complete the steps for
licensure that are already in place by the Board of Examiners in
Optometry.
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