Alberta first province to let optometrists do minor surgeries

Alberta has become Canada’s first province to allow qualified optometrists to perform certain minor surgical procedures in their offices. Changes effective November 1 cover benign skin lesion removal, stye treatments and some laser procedures for cataracts and glaucoma. Optometrists must complete additional approved education, examinations and clinical supervision, with oversight from their provincial college. The government says expanded services will improve access, especially for rural patients, while freeing ophthalmologists for complex cases. The Canadian Ophthalmological Society wants the decision reversed, raising training and patient safety concerns. CBC reported the ministry did not provide requested evidence demonstrating existing patient access problems.