FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Optometrists who have traditionally been
relegated to testing vision and prescribing glasses are getting
closer to performing eye surgeries in Kentucky.

The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee approved
proposed regulations Tuesday that would allow optometrists to do
some of the surgical procedures now reserved for ophthalmologists.

That approval came despite the best efforts of the Kentucky Medical
Association to derail the controversial move.

The legislature overwhelmingly passed a law earlier this year to
allow optometrists to do the surgeries. The proposed regulations,
which specify the amount of training required for optometrists,
still need approval of a full legislative committee and the
governor.

Physicians complained Tuesday that the proposed regulations
would allow optometrists to do surgeries after 32 hours of
training, far less than the 17,000 hours required of
ophthalmologists.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)