Pursuant to section 11 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board specifies a Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice – Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries, as described below.

Notice

1. This notice is the Notice of the introduction of a new scope of practice, the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice – Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries, by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board.
2. This notice comes into force on 1 July 2022.

An optometrist registered in the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice – Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries is authorised to perform specified ophthalmic surgical procedures below the mucous membrane or surface of the skin. Specifically, they are authorised to perform:

1. neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy; and/or
2. neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral iridotomy in an approved hospital setting.

Dated at Wellington this 3rd day of May 2022.

ELMARIE STANDER, Registrar, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board.