Article: VA Ends Laser Eye Surgery by Optometrists.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has ended a five-month-old policy that permitted optometrists to perform laser eye surgery at its health care facilities under the supervision of ophthalmologists.

"The decision I made to rescind optometrists' privileges is a reluctant one," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "Since experts could not come up with an implementation plan agreeable to both specialties, I chose this path to protect the interest of veterans."

Traditionally, ophthalmologists perform eye surgery, while optometrists conduct visual examinations.

In VA, health professionals ...

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