Optometry Scope Modernization
Optometry Scope Modernization Approved in Alberta
The Government of Alberta has approved amendments to the Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation that will modernize the scope of practice for optometrists in Alberta. The amendments allow Doctors of Optometry to perform specific laser procedures, minor surgical procedures and injections, once they are individually authorized by the Alberta College of Optometrists.
Alberta is now the first province in Canada to authorize Doctors of Optometry to perform these procedures, which are already being performed by optometrists in many US jurisdictions, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
Doctors of Optometry are primary eye care providers, offering front-line support for patients in over 100 communities across the province. With this change, eligible patients can be treated by an optometrist they already know, with fewer appointments, shorter waits, and less time away from home. Optometrists will continue to refer complex cases and serious eye diseases to ophthalmologists, and the College expects both professions to work together in their patients’ interests.
Patient safety remains the priority of the College. While no procedure is completely without risk, the College’s authorization framework is built to mitigate risk. No optometrist may perform these procedures until they complete accredited training, pass an examination, complete a supervised training model and receive authorization from the College. Authorized optometrists must follow College Standards on patient selection, informed consent, complication management and referral to ophthalmology. They will also be subject to adverse event reporting and outcome monitoring. The College will publish a list of authorized optometrists on its public register.
While the amendments to the Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation enabling scope modernization take effect November 1, 2026, implementation will be phased.
“This milestone represents years of careful scrutiny, collaboration and consultation to get this right for Albertans. It puts the skills of qualified practitioners to work where they matter most—delivering safe, timely eye care close to home. Its lasting legacy will be measured by patients who receive care sooner, families spared a long journey, and Albertans relieved of the anxiety of waiting for their vision concerns to be addressed.”
-Dr. Kim Bugera, Registrar, Alberta College of Optometrists
Doctors of Optometry provide accessible, cost-effective eye care in more than 100 communities across Alberta. They are your family doctor for the eyes.
After years of advocacy, the Government of Alberta has approved ACO’s request to modernize the scope of practice for Doctors of Optometry. Alberta is now the first province in Canada to authorize Doctors of Optometry to perform these laser and minor surgical procedures, as well as injections.
Why Modernization Matters
Doctors of Optometry are educated and clinically trained to provide skilled, competent care, including these procedures. Modernizing scope ensures they can provide minimally invasive care in their communities that is supported by rigorous education, national certification, Standards of Practice, and ongoing ACO oversight.
Modernizing the scope improves access to affordable eye care, supports underserved communities, reduces strain on ophthalmologists and emergency departments, and aligns with government priorities for a more efficient and responsive health system.
Next Steps in Scope Modernization
The ACO will continue working with government, regulatory partners, and stakeholders to implement the new scope of practice. Key next steps include:
- Legislative Approval: While amendments to the Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation enabling scope modernization are effective November 1, 2026, implementation will be phased.
- Regulatory Updates: The ACO is updating its standards of practice, bylaws, and certification requirements to reflect the modernized scope.
- Training Courses: The Alberta Association of Optometrists will organize certified training courses for Doctors of Optometry who graduated prior to 2025. Courses will begin in early 2027.
- Phased Implementation: Doctors of Optometry will not be authorized to perform the procedures until all certification, examination, and supervised clinical requirements have been completed and verified by the ACO.
Overview of Approved Procedures
The procedures approved under optometry scope modernization are brief, minimally invasive, office‑based procedures that typically take only minutes to perform. They do not require an operating room, hospital admission, or sedation, and have been performed safely by Doctors of Optometry for decades across the UK, New Zealand, and multiple US states.
Laser Procedures
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Used to treat open-angle glaucoma by improving fluid drainage and reducing intraocular pressure.
Peripheral Iridotomy
A preventive procedure for angle-closure glaucoma that creates a small opening in the iris to improve fluid flow.
Capsulotomy
A laser procedure to treat clouding of the lens capsule following cataract surgery.
Minor Surgical Procedures & Injections
- Minor Surgical Procedures: Minor, office-based procedures to remove lesions around the eye. These may include, but are not limited to skin tags, warts, chalazions and other surface lesions, and will be performed in-office under local or topical anesthesia.
- Injections: The prescribing or administering of diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical agents on or near the eye through any route of administration, including injectables (excluding intravitreal).
What Optometry Scope Modernization Means for Albertans
Patients across Alberta are waiting months for eye care they could safely receive in their own communities. Authorizing Doctors of Optometry to perform laser and minor surgical procedures gives Albertans faster access to treatment from highly trained professionals already in their community.
Doctors of Optometry are trained to provide these procedures that previously could only be performed by ophthalmologists. This created bottlenecks, increased surgical wait times, and drove up health system costs. Modernizing the scope of practice relieves this pressure and allows ophthalmologists to focus on the complex surgeries and care only they can provide.
Optometry clinics across the province will be able to deliver these services in-office without the need for an operating room or sedation, expanding health care capacity.
Enhanced Public Safety and Health Outcomes
Doctors of Optometry are primary eye health providers. Their main commitments are improving patient outcomes and ensuring patient safety.
Albertans face increased risk of eye disease and permanent vision loss as they age. Allowing Doctors of Optometry to perform these procedures ensures earlier diagnosis and timely treatment for more Albertans. This leads to:
- Improved health outcomes.
- Reduced reliance on emergency departments and walk-in clinics.
- Reduced pressure on ophthalmologists and emergency departments.
- Faster access to appropriate care without unnecessary delays.
Patient Safety & Oversight
Patient safety is and always has been the top priority for Doctors of Optometry and the ACO. The ACO ensures its members offer the highest levels of safe and competent eye care to all Albertans.
The ACO enforces extensive and professional oversight, with standards that meet or exceed those of other regulated health professions in Alberta. These minor surgical and laser procedures have been performed safely across the United States for more than 40 years, and in the United Kingdom and New Zealand for many years.
When safe care can be delivered closer to home, the savings are not only clinical – they are practical, emotional, and financial.
Doctor of Optometry Education and Training
- Doctors of Optometry complete up to eight years of rigorous training, certification, and oversight before they perform these procedures in their clinics. Some complete a 12-month post-doctoral residency to gain advanced, specialized clinical training.
- An optional one-year post-graduate residency is available in subspecialties such as ocular disease, pediatrics, or contact lenses.
- Students participate in clerkship placements under the supervision of licensed Doctors of Optometry or ophthalmologists, gaining experience beyond the university clinic setting.
This extensive education ensures that Doctors of Optometry have the knowledge, skills, and clinical competencies to safely perform advanced procedures.
Certification and Clinical Supervision Requirements
Authorization follows training, never the other way around. All Doctors of Optometry wishing to perform the approved laser and minor surgical procedures must complete the required certification, examination, and clinical supervision before receiving an Advanced Procedures Designation and being permitted to perform the approved procedures.
Competency will be ensured through the following requirements:
- Completion of the national board examination for new practitioners graduating in 2025 or later.
- A certified training course with exam for existing practitioners (who graduated before 2025).
- Completion of a clinical supervision program.
- Adherence to Standards of Practice.
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting required by the ACO.
The advanced procedures designations are optional and Doctors of Optometry can pursue authorization for either the laser procedures or the minor surgical procedures, or both.
Recent graduates can still register with the College without completing the OEBC examination if they do not wish to perform the advanced procedures.
Clinical Supervision Program
Prior to being authorized by the College to perform the advanced procedures in Alberta, a mandatory period of direct clinical supervision must be satisfactorily completed by all currently practicing optometrists and new registrants within three years of passing the OEBC examination (for new registrants) or taking the certification course and passing the examination (for existing practitioners).
More details for Doctors of Optometry on the Clinical Supervision Program can be found here.