A Senate Bill clears the way for West Virginian optometrists to expand their scope of practice.
West Virginia has joined a growing list of states expanding optometric scope of practice with the passage of Senate Bill 565 on May 1, 2025. The legislation authorizes doctors of optometry to perform certain in-office procedures—including laser treatments—making West Virginia the 13th state in the nation to permit such procedures.
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The new law, which takes effect July 9, aims to increase patient access to eye care services, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state.
“We’re incredibly proud of what this means for our patients,” said Dr. Laura Suppa, president of the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians (WVAOP), in a news release. “This legislation will allow optometrists to deliver essential care, like managing certain eye conditions and performing minor procedures, without patients having to travel long distances or wait weeks for an appointment. It’s a win for public health and for West Virginia families.”
The expansion aligns West Virginia’s optometric practice with current medical education and training. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), in the 12 other states that permit these procedures, more than 146,000 ophthalmic procedures have been performed safely and effectively by doctors of optometry.1
“This is a monumental step forward for health care in West Virginia,” says Chad Robinson, WVAOP executive director. “SB 565 ensures that our highly trained optometrists can practice to the full extent of their education, training and licensure—bringing more timely, accessible care to West Virginians where they are. We’re grateful to our representatives for recognizing the importance of this legislation.”
Research on states with expanded scope laws has shown several benefits, including an increase in Medicare beneficiaries receiving YAG procedures and a greater impact in rural areas compared to urban settings, suggesting populations with the most severe access challenges may benefit most from these changes.1
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The WVAOP credits the bill’s passage to legislators who engaged in meaningful dialogue throughout the session, Governor Patrick Morrisey for recognizing the importance of the legislation, and the organization’s members and advocacy team.
“The future of optometry and access to critical patient eye health and vision care lies in the ability for doctors of optometry to adapt and expand the profession’s scope of practice, which has long been a key priority for the AOA and affiliates across the country. The AOA is committed to supporting the fight for this important progress across the country,” said AOA President Dr. Steven T. Reed in a news release.
Reference
- Major victory for West Virginia patients and optometrists. News release. American Optometric Association. May 8, 2025. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/news/advocacy/state-advocacy/major-victory-for-west-virginia-patients-optometrists. Accessed May 22, 2025.
