HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- In the West Virginia legislature, it's a clash of the optometrists versus the ophthalmologists.

An optometrist receives a Doctor of Optometry degree and is licensed to practice optometry, but not medicine. They traditionally examine the eye in order to prescribe corrective lenses or detect certain eye diseases.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in vision care. They're involved in the full spectrum of eye care from prescribing corrective lenses to delicate eye surgery.

Some optometrists in West Virginia say they want the ability to do more than the routine eye exams and screenings. They say it would help patients with affordability.

A bill to allow that, the Optometry Surgery Bill, has already cleared the state senate.

“If every time a patient comes in for a minor problem they have to be sent to a surgeon -- you can see how the costs would add up,” local Optometrist Dr. Bill Ratcliff said. “We’d like to be able to do minor procedures, minor injections and minor laser surgery."

Dr. Ratcliff is president of the West Virginia Optometry Association. He argues the state laws need to give more power to the West Virginia Board of Optometry.

“The board does not have that authority in optometry, the law dictates what we can do," Dr. Ratcliff said. "There are new technologies and treatments available that we can't provide with current legislation.”

Dr. Joe LoCascio doesn't agree with the bill. He's an ophthalmologist and he says after graduating from medical school, he spent another seven years in residencies and fellowships learning the intricacies of eye surgery. He says if optometrists want to do expanded procedures, they need to put in the same time and get the same education.

“They're asking to do surgery and the bill is very open-ended to do whatever their board says they can do without oversight of the Board of Medicine,” Dr. LoCascio said. “I didn't learn by taking a couple of hours in a weekend course."

Dr. Ratcliff says the legislation would provide plenty of safeguards to make sure optometrists are adequately trained and then make sure they demonstrate proficiency in the procedures. Laddie Smith is a patient and he says that sounds fine with him.

“I understand there is surgery you don't want just anyone to do, but as long as they're properly trained, it's okay with me,” Smith said.

Leaving the debate wide open about what properly trained means and will the expanded privileges really save money and time or put the patient in danger.

Dr. Locascio says 20 groups and boards oppose the pending legislation including the West Virginia Board of Medicine.