Vicki Rutledge, a resident of Hugo, Oklahoma, has shared her harrowing experience of undergoing eye surgery by an optometrist, urging residents of New Hampshire to take heed as the state’s Legislature considers Senate Bill 440, which mirrors a controversial law passed in her home state.
Rutledge, a member of the Choctaw Nation, underwent cataract surgery on her right eye successfully in 2016 but faced complications during a subsequent procedure on her left eye. Seeking treatment at the Indian Health Service in Durant, Oklahoma, Rutledge underwent a laser eye surgery called YAG capsulotomy, commonly used to address a cloudy film behind the lens implant. However, unlike in most states, Oklahoma permits optometrists to perform such surgeries.
Despite the initial assurance of 20/20 vision in her right eye following the surgery, Rutledge experienced alarming complications, including a significant loss of central vision due to damage to the macula, the center of her retina. Subsequently, she suffered a retinal detachment in her left eye, resulting in legal blindness in both eyes.
Rutledge’s testimony against Senate Bill 440 emphasizes the importance of restricting eye surgeries to ophthalmologists, who are trained medical doctors and surgeons. She highlights the irreversible consequences of allowing optometrists to perform such procedures, urging New Hampshire legislators to prioritize patient safety by voting against the bill.
Her poignant account serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the potential risks associated with expanding the scope of practice for optometrists. Rutledge’s hope is that her story will raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in New Hampshire.
