Kentucky's response to a major optometry licensing scandal is not going far enough, according to national oversight boards and state lawmakers, as the state board continues to allow improperly licensed eye doctors to practice with minimal restrictions.

The Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners has established an advisory work group to address a controversy in which 21 optometrists were improperly licensed between 2020 and 2023 after the board waived mandatory national testing requirements. However, the board's solutions remain incomplete, critics say.

Most notably, the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, which administers standardized licensing exams used in all 50 states, says Kentucky's fixes continue to create "loopholes" that undermine patient safety. The national board pointed out that those granted waivers are still allowed to take an alternative written test instead of the rigorous in-person clinical skills exam that tests diagnostic abilities in real patient encounters.

"Allowing these individuals to continue practicing raises substantial concerns about compliance, fairness and most importantly, patient safety," the national board stated in formal comments.

State Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, chairman of the Senate Health Services Committee, also expressed frustration that the board created its advisory group without including any legislators. His measure to establish an independent legislative task force died when the 2026 legislative session ended April 15.

"I was very disappointed that the optometrists continue to ignore the legislature," Meredith said. However, he noted that legislative leaders have agreed to create a separate task force in coming months to review the board's operations.

The board did take action on one front, filing emergency regulations on April 15 that eliminated a Canadian exam loophole. Kentucky had previously allowed candidates to substitute the Canadian test for part of the rigorous U.S. national exam, drawing criticism that it weakened professional standards. By 2027, all licensure candidates must pass the first part of the three-part national exam.

Among those who obtained waivers from testing requirements was Dr. Hannah Ellis, daughter of former board president Dr. Joe Ellis, a prominent Benton optometrist who resigned abruptly in December after the Kentucky attorney general found the board violated state law by waiving licensure requirements without proper regulatory procedures.

The board continues to allow improperly licensed optometrists to practice with restrictions on some eye surgeries. The national board has called for them to be suspended pending proper licensing verification.

Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the new board president, said the board remains "committed to protecting the public and regulate the profession of optometry in Kentucky." The advisory work group includes six optometrists and three ophthalmologists, selected from nominees within the optometry profession and University of Pikeville's College of Optometry.

However, the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, representing about 100 of the state's 200 ophthalmologists, criticized the panel as "skewed" toward optometrists and lacking legislative oversight. The academy declined to nominate members.