Supreme Court of South Carolina
Opternative v. South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association
January 21, 2026
Summary
The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s summary judgment upholding the Eye Care Consumer Protection Law, finding it constitutional under the state’s equal protection and substantive due process clauses. The Court applied rational basis review, concluding the statute furthers a legitimate public‑health interest and is reasonably related to that interest. The decision also addressed the classification analysis under equal protection, holding the law’s distinctions are permissible.