Optometrist Speaks Out Against Proposed New Eye Care Regulations

An Oklahoma optometrist is speaking out against proposed new regulations he says may leave elderly Oklahomans without proper eye care. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Chris Wright explains why the doctor

Wednesday, January 10th 2007, 10:20 am

By: News On 6

An Oklahoma optometrist is speaking out against proposed new regulations he says may leave elderly Oklahomans without proper eye care.

News on 6 reporter Chris Wright explains why the doctor believes the regulations are a terrible idea. For the past five years, Dr. David Kolker has spent two days of his workweek traveling to nursing homes across the state to administer eye exams. But he says the State Board of Examiners may put an end to that.

It's been a while since Claremore native Neal Ward went to the eye doctor. "Oh it's been a couple of years, two three years I guess." Turns out Neal, who complained of double vision, needed some new glasses. He was one of about ten patients examined by Dr. David Kolker at Wood Manor Nursing Home in Claremore on Wednesday. "It's nice for them to tell us that before we came in, a lot of those patients hadn't seen eye doctors in years, so it's really gratifying to be able to provide that service."

Dr. Kolker has provided that service in nursing homes throughout Oklahoma, ever since the legislature determined in 2001 that Medicaid patients could receive an annual exam and new glasses if they need them. But he says some proposed regulations by the State Board of Examiners may put an end to that.

If passed, optometrists would only be able to provide care for patients within a 60-minute drive of their practice. "If this resolution passes, those homes will be left with no one to come inside their facility." Dr. Kolker says that would mean he would no longer be able to see nursing home residents in remote parts of the state, and he would likely stop visiting homes altogether. Wood Manor says that if optometrists like Dr. Kolker were not able to visit the facility, some residents might not get the eye exams they need.

Wood Manor social director Jerri Davis: "The best benefit is that the residents themselves don't have to go out to another doctor, they're comfortable here and it takes a lot for them to have to go out."

Dr. Kolker though hopes the Board Examiners will pass on the new regulations, allowing him to continue to ensure that residents don't have to go out to get glasses.

The proposed regulations will be discussed during a public meeting in Oklahoma City on January 20th. The Board of Examiners says the 60-minute rule is necessary because patients need optometrists nearby in case of emergency.

If optometrists like Dr. Kolker no longer visited nursing homes, the homes would have to arrange for transportation to appointments with local optometrists. Employees at Wood Manor admit that would be difficult, and many residents who need exams probably would not get them.