Say No to Senate Bill 36: Protect Eye Surgery Standards in Ohio
What Is SB 36?
Senate Bill 36 would allow optometrists—who are not medical doctors or trained surgeons—to perform eye surgeries in Ohio. This is part of a nationwide effort to lower surgical safety standards, and it poses serious risks to patient safety.
Why This Matters
Currently, only ophthalmologists—physicians with years of surgical training—are permitted to perform these delicate procedures in Ohio.
Ophthalmologist Training Includes:
- 4 years of medical school
- 1 year hospital internship
- 3 year surgical residency, and
- Often followed by additional subspecialty training
Up to 22,000 hours of clinical preparation
In contrast, optometrists:
- Complete optometry school focused on vision care, not surgery
- Receive no hospital-based training
- Would only need a brief weekend course to perform surgeries under SB 36
- No requirement for medical school
- No surgical residency
Optometrists Are Valuable—But Not Surgeons
Optometrists play a valuable role in routine vision care, but they are not trained to perform eye surgery. Lowering standards could lead to dangerous outcomes for patients.
Take Action: Protect Ohio’s Eye Surgery Standards
We urge you to learn more about the dangers of SB 36 and take action.
Use the advocacy tools below to contact your legislators.
Tell them: Vote NO on SB 36. Keep Ohio’s eye surgery standards safe and high.
