Group files new lawsuit over Arkansas 'eye law' referendum

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Supporters of an Arkansas law to expand the procedures optometrists may perform filed a new lawsuit Friday to prevent an effort to repeal the measure from appearing on the ballot this fall.

The group, Arkansans for Healthy Eyes, asked the state Supreme Court to disqualify the referendum on the eye surgery law from the November ballot. The law approved by the Legislature last year would allow optometrists to perform several procedures that previously only ophthalmologists could, including injections around the eye, removing lesions from the eyelids and certain laser eye surgeries.

The lawsuit contends that signature gatherers gave out misleading information about the law. It also challenges the wording of the referendum and the validity of thousands of signatures submitted.

Safe Surgery Arkansas, the group behind the referendum, says it's followed the law throughout the process.

A Pulaski County judge last month dismissed another lawsuit by Arkansans for Healthy Eyes aimed at blocking the referendum effort.