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Super-Majority of Minnesotans Oppose Weakening Medical and Surgical Safety Standards In Eye Care

A new poll reveals 85% of Minnesotans prefer having their eye surgery performed by a trained eye surgeon, an ophthalmologist, who is a medical doctor, rather than by an optometrist at a more convenient location. Rural voters in the state showed even stronger preference (88%).

Optometrists are valued members of the eye care team providing basic vision care services, but they are not medical doctors or trained surgeons. The poll indicates that nearly three-quarters of Minnesota voters (73%) oppose SF 1144 and HF 1011 that would allow optometrists to perform surgery, expressing serious concerns about patient safety and practitioner qualifications. Opposition to the legislation increased by 9 percentage points after voters learned about training differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists.

The survey, conducted by Cygnal (February 10-12, 2025), shows opposition to the proposed legislation transcends party lines, geographic regions, and diverse demographics groups.

“Minnesotans want their eye surgery to be performed by surgeons -- surgeons with medical degrees and multiple years of clinical experience and surgical training,” said Dr. Amanda Maltry, M.D., President of the Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MAEPS). “This isn’t about convenience or access. It’s about maintaining the high standards of care currently protecting patients from serious complications. The language in the proposed legislation creates concerning and vague loopholes that would put public health and safety and risk.”

Key findings:

• 85% of Minnesotans prefer having eye surgery performed by a trained eye surgeon (ophthalmologist/medical doctor) rather than by an optometrist at a more convenient location. Rural voters showed an even stronger preference (88%)

• 74% prefer ophthalmologists or medical doctors to prescribe oral medications for eye diseases

• 64% oppose government attempts to allow optometrists to perform delicate eye surgery

• Republicans and Democrats show identical opposition (67%)

Healthcare experts warn that the proposed legislation contains vague and ambiguous language leaving loopholes in the law that could permit insufficiently trained practitioners to perform delicate surgical procedures on sensitive tissues around the eye.

“The current legislation being considered by Minnesota lawmakers lacks specificity about what procedures would be permitted and what protocols would be required,” said Dr. Maltry. “Currently, optometrists cannot perform eyelid surgeries. If this legislation passes, it could enable them to perform any eyelid surgery by simply re-classifying the surgery as non-invasive – including removal of eyelid lesions that may be cancerous, without the specialized training required to identify malignancies. There is no such thing as a non-invasive surgery,” she continued. “By definition, every surgery is invasive. When it involves needles and scalpels into delicate human tissue like your eyes and eyelids, its essential to be trained as a surgeon.”

"As ophthalmologists, we've completed over a decade of medical school, residency, and surgical training to ensure patient safety," Dr. Maltry added. "Optometrists play an important role in eye care, however allowing them to perform eye surgeries puts Minnesotans’ vision at risk. This is why we implore the legislature to oppose SF 1144 and HF 1011 in their current form.”

Press Release

The mission of the Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons (MAEPS) is to promote highquality eye care for all Minnesotans.

 

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Support for Ukraine

The Minnesota Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons joins organizations around the world standing in support of the Ukrainian people as innocent civilians are being targeted by the Russian military.  The attack has put their lives and safety at risk.

There is a great need for donations of medical supplies for the refugees displaced by this war and for the hospitals taking care of civilians and injured military personnel.  If you would like to support the Minnesota Medical Relief Group for Ukraine, please, consider making donations to the Ukrainian American Community Center at the link below.  Any support you can give will be much appreciated.

Ukrainian American Community Center:  https://uaccmn.org/