Alberta to allow optometrists to perform minor laser procedures

EDMONTON — The Alberta government says optometrists will soon be allowed to perform minor surgical and laser procedures in the province.

Justin Wright, Alberta’s primary and preventative health minister, says the goal is to give Albertans better access to care closer to home.

Read more:

• Sask. government joins calls to end B.C. tanker ban
• Saskatchewan oil exports could get a boost from B.C. election, experts say
• Sask. homeowner battles SGI over using ‘damaged materials’ in fire rebuild

The government says the expanded scope of optometry will involve minor procedures to treat glaucoma and secondary cataracts.

Optometrists will also be permitted to treat benign skin lesions and styes.

The government says the change allows ophthalmologists, who are trained for surgeries, to focus on more complex cases.

It says optometrists would need to have further training before performing the procedures and would be subject to new standards set by the regulatory college.