{"data":{"id":"us-vt/26-v.s.a.-1720--2","jurisdiction":"us-vt","citation":"26 V.S.A. § 1720","heading":"Prohibited practices [Effective July 1, 2028]","body":"(a) An optometrist shall not perform any ophthalmic surgeries, with or without the use of lasers, or injection procedures, other than those set forth in subdivision 1703(2)(A)(vi) of this chapter. This prohibition includes the following procedures, which an optometrist is prohibited from performing:\n(1) retinal laser procedures, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy, laser epithelial keratomileusis, or any forms of refractive surgery;\n(2) penetrating keratoplasty, corneal transplant, or lamellar keratoplasty;\n(3) the administration of general anesthesia;\n(4) surgery done with general anesthesia;\n(5) laser or nonlaser injection in the posterior or vitreous chamber of the eye to treat any macular or retinal disease;\n(6) surgery related to removal of the eye or adnexa, including the eyeball, from a living human being;\n(7) surgery requiring full-thickness incision or excision of the cornea or sclera other than paracentesis in an emergency situation requiring immediate reduction of the pressure inside the eye;\n(8) surgery requiring incision of the iris and ciliary body, including iris diathermy or cryotherapy;\n(9) surgery requiring the incision or removal of the vitreous;\n(10) surgery requiring incision of the retina;\n(11) surgical extraction of the crystalline lens;\n(12) surgical intraocular lens implants;\n(13) incisional or excisional surgery of the extraocular muscles;\n(14) surgery of the eyelid for suspected malignancies, for cosmetic purposes, or for cosmetic or mechanical repair of blepharochalasis, ptosis, and tarsorrhaphy;\n(15) surgery for the removal of lesions involving the eyelid margin, lacrimal supply, or drainage systems;\n(16) repair of an eyelid laceration larger than 2.5 centimeters, deeper than the orbicularis muscle, or involving the eyelid margin or lacrimal drainage structures;\n(17) surgery of the bony orbit, including orbital implants;\n(18) incisional or excisional surgery of the lacrimal system other than probing or related procedures;\n(19) surgery requiring full-thickness conjunctivoplasty with graft or flap;\n(20) pterygium surgery;\n(21) ionizing radiation;\n(22) intraocular injections penetrating the globe; and\n(23) retrobulbar or intraorbital injections.\n(b)(1) An optometrist shall not prescribe or administer a drug or other substance that is listed as a Schedule I or II controlled substance pursuant to the federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., as amended, except as set forth in subdivision (2) of this subsection.\n(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, an optometrist may prescribe or administer hydrocodone in combination with analgesics, provided that an optometrist shall not prescribe more than a 72-hour supply of hydrocodone and shall not provide any refills of the prescription.","path":["Title 26: Professions and Occupations","Chapter 030: Optometry","Subchapter 004: Unprofessional Conduct and Discipline"],"source_url":"https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/26/030/01720","current_through":"2026 session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-10-25T15:01:26Z","sha256":"5273f8c746caba3356e468ed94c767e8c30479201af4f6d2e3d80ccb726fe5f4","source_id":"us-vt","stale":false,"prev":"us-vt/26-v.s.a.-1720","next":"us-vt/26-v.s.a.-1721"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}