# Kentucky must strengthen optometry oversight as procedures become more invasive  
**Published:** 2026-04-28T09:30:45.000Z  
**Source:** [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/28/its-simple-as-optometry-gets-more-complicated-kys-standards-need-to-keep-up/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-must-strengthen-optometry-oversight-as-procedures-become-more-invasive

As Kentucky optometrists are increasingly authorized to perform laser surgeries and injections, questions linger about whether state oversight of these invasive procedures remains adequate, according to [a report in the Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/28/its-simple-as-optometry-gets-more-complicated-kys-standards-need-to-keep-up/).

A measure to create an outside task force to review operations of the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners died in the 2026 legislative session that ended April 15. Instead, the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners created its own internal workgroup to address concerns, drawing criticism from lawmakers and national regulators who argue that independent oversight is necessary.

The board's former president abruptly resigned in December 2025 amid findings by the Kentucky attorney general that the board had violated state law to waive licensure requirements for some licensees. The National Board of Examiners in Optometry is criticizing the Kentucky board for failing to protect the public as it addresses recent irregularities in licensing optometry graduates.

Kentucky's politically influential optometrists number more than 900 and already have one of the broadest scopes of practice in the nation under changes the group won during a 2011 lobbying blitz of the Kentucky General Assembly. Kentucky became the second state, after Oklahoma, to allow optometrists who are properly credentialed privileges to practice at a higher scope, permitting selective laser and periocular surgical procedures.

Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, said his main concern is that the board handpicked a group of eye care professionals that includes no legislators, expressing disappointment that the optometrists continue to ignore the legislature.

The national board and other critics object to the Kentucky board continuing to allow an alternative written test for part 3 of the national exam for optometrists granted waivers, which tests diagnostic and treatment skills in a clinic with people posing as patients, referring to a "special loophole" for those granted waivers from taking the in-person test. The board did not change that exception in its most recent regulation.

Meredith said he believes the board is trying to fix problems but believes more outside oversight is essential, saying "I think the current board is sincere in getting its house in order". The underlying question remains whether internal reform by the optometry board itself can adequately address public safety concerns as the scope of optometric practice continues to expand.

## Sources

- [Kentucky Lantern](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/28/its-simple-as-optometry-gets-more-complicated-kys-standards-need-to-keep-up/)
- [Kentucky Lantern - 'Fixes to KY optometry licensing problems fall short, say national board, state lawmaker'](https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/27/fixes-to-ky-optometry-licensing-problems-fall-short-say-national-board-state-lawmaker/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Kentucky Lantern, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/28/its-simple-as-optometry-gets-more-complicated-kys-standards-need-to-keep-up/.