18VAC105-20-80: Requirements for laser surgery certification

An applicant for laser surgery certification shall submit to the board:

1. A completed application for laser surgery certification;

2. The prescribed fee;

3. An educational attestation from a dean or designee of a school of optometry or an instructor of a laser surgery certification course approved by the board that verifies that the applicant received didactic and clinical laser surgery training in the following subjects:

a. Laser physics, hazards, and safety;

b. Biophysics of laser;

c. Laser application in clinical optometry;

d. Laser tissue interactions;

e. Laser indications, contraindications, and potential complications;

f. Gonioscopy;

g. Laser therapy for open-angle glaucoma;

h. Posterior capsulotomy;

i. Common complications, lids, lashes, and lacrimal;

j. Medicolegal aspects of anterior segment procedures;

k. Peripheral iridotomy; and

l. Laser trabeculoplasty.

The required attestation from the dean or designee of a school of optometry or an instructor of a laser surgery certification course approved by the board shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the board; and

4. Evidence of one of the following:

a. Passage of the Laser Section of the LSPE, for which the applicant must request submission of an official report from the NBEO of the score received on the Laser Section of the LSPE; or

b. Proctored sessions in compliance with 18VAC105-20-90, which may be obtained during education training described in subdivision 3 of this section.