Optometrist scope of practice expanded

Senators passed a bill April 17 dealing with optometrist’s scope of practice in Nebraska.

LB526, introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard, authorizes licensed optometrists to inject pharmaceutical agents for therapeutic purposes—including an epinephrine autoinjector for treatment of anaphylaxis—and to prescribe oral steroids, oral antiglaucoma medication and oral immunosuppressive agents.

The bill passed on a 45-o vote.