MontanaHB 21869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising the practice of optometry to include certain laser procedures and in-office surgical procedures

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Optometrists can do limited office and laser surgeries

Starting July 1, 2025, licensed optometrists can perform certain in-office surgeries on the front of the eye and nearby tissues. They cannot do penetrating intraocular surgery, intravitreal injections, or refractive surgery. Laser procedures are allowed only if the optometrist is certified by the Montana Board of Optometry. The board sets rules, verifies accredited laser training, and issues a license that shows laser certification.

Optometrists can treat glaucoma and remove debris

Starting July 1, 2025, optometrists can treat glaucoma using board-approved medicines and treatments for the front of the eye. They can also remove foreign bodies that are outside the eyeball and in nearby tissues. You may be able to get this care in an optometrist’s office instead of being sent elsewhere.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Ed Buttrey
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Daniel Zolnikov
Republican • Senate
Greg Hertz
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 230 • No: 70

House vote • 4/1/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 38 • No: 12

House vote • 3/31/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 40 • No: 10

House vote • 1/29/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 76 • No: 24

House vote • 1/28/2025