Should someone who didn't go to medical school be allowed to prescribe drugs for your eyes?

That is the central question in the years-long "eyeballs war" raging in Tallahassee again this year between ophthalmologists, who are medical doctors steeped in the diseases of the eye; and optometrists, who did not go to medical school but are trained to give eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses.

So far, optometrists appear ahead in the battle to expand their "scope of practice"  and begin prescribing oral medications, not just topical medications, such as drops or creams.

The shame of it all is that the fight for eye safety won't be decided by what's best for you, the patient, who could develop serious complications from mis-prescribed drugs or misdiagnoses by optometrists. Especially at risk are seniors, who often take many medications, some of which could adversely mix with the drugs optometrists want permission to prescribe.

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