Inslee signs bill to ease vision therapy referrals

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday signed a locally sponsored bill that will allow optometrists to refer patients to occupational therapists. It takes effect this summer.

Rep. Norm Johnson’s House Bill 1010 was designed with rural areas like the Yakima Valley in mind.

“Many people, including seniors, have vision problems associated with a variety of diseases and other degenerative problems. In rural areas, such as Central Washington, there may not be enough eye surgeons to meet patients’ needs for low-vision problems,” Johnson, R-Yakima, said in a news release. “So the best option may be an occupational therapist who can help these people get back to a functional life.”

By granting optometrists referral power, Johnson hopes his bill will make it easier and more convenient for people to access those therapeutic services. Patients have only been able to get those referrals from primary care doctors, which means an extra office visit and often longer delays between care.

According to testimony on the bill from earlier hearings in the Legislature, 46 other states already give optometrists the ability to refer patients to therapists.

Occupational therapy may be used when patients have suffered traumatic brain injuries or strokes, which can leave their visual ability impaired. Therapists also work with young kids who may have difficultly processing visual information.