In response to the Nov. 26 guest column from optometrist Zach Weinberg, supporting Ohio Senate Bill 36 to allow optometrists “to perform three in-office, noninvasive laser procedures and to remove benign lesions, such as cysts and skin tags, on the eyelid” (“ Yes on SB 36: Modernizing eye care in Ohio for Ohio patients ”): First, this is not “modernizing” anything. Ophthalmology is one of the most technologically advanced specialties in medicine. More than 93% of Ohioans are within a 30-minute drive from an ophthalmologist.

The most important distinction between an ophthalmologist and optometrist is that only ophthalmologists graduate from medical school. This bill is an attempt by optometrists to bypass well-defined scopes of practice. If they want to perform any type of surgery, the

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