Maine Board of Optometry
113 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
MINUTES OF August 4, 2017
BOARD MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Dr. Littlefield, O.D. at 9:00 a.m. in the OLR BoardRoom at the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation in Gardiner, Maine.
Members present: Thomas Nadeau, O.D, Parise Chamberland, O.D, Paul Cote, O.D.,and Blaine Littlefield, O.D.
Others present: Tina Carpentier, Board Secretary, Chris Mann, Assistant Attorney General.
Absent:Normand LaPlante, Public Member, Stephen Ebersole, O.D.
OLD BUSINESS:
Action on Minutes of May 5, 2017Meeting: A motion was made byDr. Nadeau, seconded byDr. Cote to accept the minutes as written.
The motion passed 4-0
Flag licensee who renew after April 1st: Add question to renewals “are you currently practicing Optometry”? If yes, where are you practicing? The renewal will be processed as partial and create a checklist.
NEW BUSINESS:
ARBO Meeting report (Dr. Nadeau): Dr. Nadeau passed out and reviewed his report on the ARBO meeting. Dr. Nadeau stated that these Annual meetings are very beneficial for us to attend to keep us up to date.
Letter from Amy Landry, Neurobehavioral status exam:The board reviewed the letter from Amy Landry dated May 30, 2017 on Vision Therapy services. The Board has no jurisdiction over any insurance reimbursement issues.
A motion was made by Dr. Coteseconded by Dr. Chamberland to send letter stating that the Board has no jurisdiction over insurance reimbursement.
The motion passed 4-0
Review of Maine Law and Statutes: The board tabled to October 6th meeting.
Other Business
Email from Samuel Sentft, JD, MPH: The Board reviewed email dated August 2, 2017 from Sameul Sentft, JD, MPH asking if probing of lacrimal canaliculi, with or without irrigation is within the scope of practice.
A motion was made by Dr. Chamberland seconded by Dr. Nadeau to send letter stating that probing of lacrimal canaliculi, with or without irrigation is within the Maine Board of Optometry scope of practice.
The motion passed 4-0
COMPLANTS
Complaint #2017-OPT-13106:After presentation and discussion, a motion was made
byDr. Nadeau seconded byDr. Chamberland to dismiss the complaint on the ground that there is no violation of the Maine Optometry Laws or Rules; however, the Board made a motion to send a letter of guidance.
The motion passed 3-1 recused (Dr. Littlefield).
Complaint #2017-OPT-13117:After presentation and discussion, a motion was made
byDr. Nadeau seconded by Dr. Chamberland to dismiss the complaint on the ground that there is no violation of the Maine Optometry Laws or Rules.
The motion passed 3-1 recused (Dr. Littlefield).
Complaint #2017-OPT-13325After presentation and discussion, a motion was made
By Dr. Nadeau seconded by Dr. Cote to dismiss the complaint on the ground that there is no violation of the Maine Optometry Laws or Rules;however, the Board made a motion to send a letter of guidance.
The motion passed 3-1 recused (Dr. Littlefield).
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None
SECRETARY’S REPORT: November 3, 2017 meeting has been changed to October 6, 2017.
ADJOURNED: A motion was made byDr. Nadeauseconded byDr. Chamberland to adjournthe meeting at 9:46am.
The next meeting will be held on October 6, 2017.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Carpentier
Secretary, Maine Board of Optometry