A bill was passed in the House of Assembly yesterday allowing optometrists to diagnose and prescribe drugs to patients, a role traditionally held by opthomologists.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome read The Optometrists and Opticians Act 2008 which also demands that every registered optometrist and optician:

• re-register every three years subject to fulfilling certain requirements

• display a certificate of registration in their workplace.

The bill also allows persons practising in other jurisdictions to practise here, subject to approval by the Optometrists and Opticians Council.

They must also meet all requirements listed in the clauses of the bill. Mr. Bascome said the department would "stick with some of the globally accepted hours" as to the required hours an eye specialist would need in a year of continued education to be registered.

Shadow Minister of Health Louise Jackson raised concerns, stating that a similar bill in the US was "violently opposed" by opthalmologists who felt they should be the only ones diagnosing and prescribing drugs to patients. However, the bill passed there as well. Mrs. Jackson said she was unaware how opthalmologist on the Island felt, but said the new legislation is something that needs to be monitored because, "you can't give a blank cheque to just anyone".

She also expressed concern with optometrists being allowed to perform laser surgery but Mr. Bascome quickly told her that would not happen here. "It's a brand new thing for us. I basically again am kind of torn on this," she added. "I heard of a couple of opthomologists say this is unacceptable. However, they don't practise here."

Mrs. Jackson also voiced her concerns over whether or not it is safe for optometrists to diagnose and prescribe drugs when they aren't medical doctors.