04/02/2026
Maine, like many communities in the U.S., lacks adequate access to eye care, exacerbated by a growing shortage of ophthalmologists. Recent research finds allowing U.S. optometrists to perform more advanced tasks increases access to vital eye care services among Medicare enrollees.
Study highlights include -
• In roughly the past three decades, the per capita number of ophthalmologists has declined by 9.8 percent while the per capita number of optometrists has grown 45.7 percent.
• In states that have expanded scope of practice, optometrists have performed nearly 150,000 YAG surgeries, with only two examples of negative outcomes or complications.
Review the research at https://bit.ly/4m2naEJ, and learn how the Majority report on LD 1803 will increase access to important eye and vision care at https://bit.ly/46Q5rKg. Ask your legislators for their support at https://bit.ly/4s2u2E0.
