Maine Optometric Association

04/08/2026

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - More than 145,000 laser procedures have been performed by optometrists in the U.S., with a complication rate of less than 0.001%.

That means that optometrists are safely completing these office-based procedures at the same success rate as ophthalmologists.

Know the facts and how the Majority Report of LD 1803 could help patients in Maine. https://bit.ly/46Q5rKg

Home

04/01/2026

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.

03/25/2026

During their optometric training, doctors of optometry learn how to diagnose and treat glaucoma, cataracts and other diseases, how to use advanced treatment methods including non-invasive lasers, and how to perform minor eye care procedures to remove bumps and skin tags on eyelids.

Hear from Dr. Richard Castillo, who is both an ophthalmologist and optometrist, 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.

Home

03/23/2026

Expert Lecture: Neuropathy in the Retina & Complex Care in Retinal Disease by Bright Star Dr. Mary Beth Yackey. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your professional development and clinical expertise!

03/19/2026

More than 22% of Maine’s residents are over age 65 - the highest percentage of any state.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that number will grow to more than 31% in the next five years.

Maine’s aging population is straining access to health care services, including treatments for common eye conditions associated with aging like glaucoma and cataracts.

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 to pass the Majority report on LD 1803 at https://bit.ly/4s2u2E0.

03/16/2026

The numbers are clear: Maine’s ophthalmologists cannot meet the current demand of patients, leading to longer wait times for patients who need critical eye health services.

Optometrists practice in 15 of Maine’s 16 counties, providing eye care access to 92% of our state’s population.

Three counties don’t have any ophthalmologists, and two counties have only one.

Ask your legislators to support the Majority report on LD 1803 and increase access to important eye and vision care at https://bit.ly/4s2u2E0. Learn more at https://bit.ly/46Q5rKg.

03/12/2026

Passing the Majority report on LD 1803 will increase access to safe care for more Mainers.
CLAIM: LD 1803 puts patient safety at risk.
FACT: Over 145,000 laser procedures have been performed by optometrists in the U.S. with a complication rate of less than 0.001%.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/46Q5rKg. Ask your legislators to pass the Majority report on LD 1803 at https://bit.ly/4s2u2E0.

Doctors of Optometry use a microscope to identify over 270 systemic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, auto-immune diseases, cancers and more.

03/10/2026

"My optometrist, whose office is two miles from my home, recommended I have a YAG capsulotomy. After spending three hours making phone calls to various ophthalmology practices, I learned the wait for this procedure ranged from two to six months. I waited two months to have the procedure completed by an ophthalmologist 50 miles from my home.” – patient Roy Planalp

Learn how the Majority report on LD 1803 will help Mainers have increased access to eye care - https://bit.ly/46Q5rKg. Ask your legislators for their support today - https://bit.ly/4s2u2E0.

03/08/2026

Boost your skills this March! Join us for 2 hours of CE or grab the 8-hour Virtual CE Pass!
https://conta.cc/4cixkhE

03/05/2026

"Access to care should not be about whether a service exists but about whether patients can realistically receive it.”

As a practicing optometrist in Kittery, Dr. Lindsay Michaud wants to use her training and education to provide the best care to her patients. Read her commentary in the Maine Morning Star to learn how the Majority report on LD 1803 will increase access to safe eye care. https://bit.ly/4b8vGwU

03/03/2026

https://conta.cc/4l2TVAY

Email from Maine Optometric Association (MOA) Get Ready for Spring and Fall Education - Register Now to Save! VIRTUAL CE PASS Spring and Fall Education from Home 7:00pm-9:00pm MOA invites you to hear

03/02/2026

During our tenure as students and now educators, we have watched the optometric curriculum evolve to include the latest procedures and techniques. Years ago, optometrists were not permitted to prescribe eye drops or dilate pupils. Today it would be unheard of to have to wait for a referral to another provider for that care.” - NECO faculty members Drs. Elena Biffi and Meghan Sue

Allowing trained and certified optometrists to perform the laser procedures included in the Majority Report on LD 1803 will increase access to safe and effective care for all Mainers.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/475rlJs or https://bit.ly/4slwRQB