The Texas Optometry Board will meet Friday to consider a series of rule changes, reopen several practice regulations for potential revision, and discuss draft legislative proposals that could affect how the agency regulates licensed optometrists.
One agenda item calls for discussion of proposed statutory changes that have not been released publicly. According to the board’s strategic plan and previous meeting minutes, the proposals could include eliminating obsolete license classifications, authorizing the agency to hire a part-time optometrist to assist with patient record reviews during inspections, and expanding the board’s disciplinary authority.
Current law generally requires findings of willful intent, negligence or fraud before the board can impose certain corrective measures, such as additional education or chart reviews. Planning documents indicate the board is seeking broader authority to discipline violations of the Optometry Act.
Commissioners also will consider a package of 13 rule actions, including five repeals and eight amendments, as part of the agency’s required four-year rule review and implementation of a 2025 state regulatory efficiency law.
Several of the proposed repeals would remove rules that duplicate existing state law, including provisions related to license renewal holds for unpaid child support and procedures for upgrading older optometrist license classifications. Some administrative provisions would instead be adopted as board policy.
The board also is expected to vote on publishing proposed amendments for public comment to several practice rules, including regulations governing contact lens examinations, prescription release requirements and telehealth. No draft language has been released, so the specific changes under consideration are not yet public.
Other rules under review include longstanding provisions governing the relationship between optometrists and optical retailers, including regulations addressing shared business spaces.
Meeting Details
When: 8:30 AM CT, Friday, July 31, 2026
Where: 1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 9.101, Austin 78701 — the George H.W. Bush State Office Building. Visitors check in at the front desk and are escorted to the ninth floor.
Governing body: Texas Optometry Board — nine members appointed by the Governor under state law.
Live video: None. The agency’s Board Meetings page carries no stream or video archive; it posts scanned minutes after the fact. The meeting is in person and the notice advertises no webcast.
Full agenda: Secretary of State open meetings record · Texas Optometry Board — Board Meetings · Rules Committee notice
Board Members
- Ron Hopping, O.D., M.P.H., Houston — chair; managing partner, Hopping Eye Associates.
- Bill C. Thompson, O.D., Richardson — vice chair; owner, Buckner Vision.
- Judith Chambers, Austin — secretary-treasurer; public member.
- Tory Moore, O.D., Dumas — owner, Dumas Vision Source; appointed 2025.
- James Oevermann, O.D., Montgomery — appointed March 2025.
- Carey A. Patrick, O.D., Allen — president, Fairview Eyecare.
- Rene D. Peña, El Paso — public member; accounting firm managing partner.
- Steven Nguyen, O.D., Irving — owner, Southwest Dallas Eyecare; led modernization workgroup.
- Mala Sharma, Houston — public member; attorney, Sharma & Associates.
Roster confirmed against board letterhead in an August 2025 letter from Chair Hopping. The agency’s About the Board page has not been updated for the March 2025 appointments. Executive Director: Janice McCoy.