May 11, 2023 — The American Optometric Association (AOA) has released a statement about Senate Bill 230, proposed Florida legislation that the AOA says will undermine the doctor-patient relationship and jeopardize patient outcomes if passed.
 
The AOA declares it vigorously opposes “any attempts to prevent Florida-licensed doctors of optometry from practicing at the highest levels allowed by state and federal law, including their ability to effectively communicate with their patients by introducing unnecessary confusion.”
 
The organization is working with the Florida Optometric Association (FOA) to have SB 230 vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. If these efforts are unsuccessful, the AOA states it will continue to “use all means necessary to identify and defend against unjust targeting of our FOA members and the optometric profession.
 
“If necessary, the AOA is prepared to take steps up to and including legal action against any effort to discriminate against the profession of optometry or infringe on optometry’s essential and expanding role in the Florida health care system,” the statement concludes.
 
For more information: aoa.org.