Prevent Blindness honored Jim McGrann, president and CEO of Advancing Eyecare, at its 2026 Person of Vision gala on March 11 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in conjunction with Vision Expo.
The Person of Vision Award honors individuals who exemplify leadership and dedication to improving eye health. McGrann was chosen by a volunteer committee in recognition of his sustained contributions to the vision care field and his engagement with Prevent Blindness.
Throughout his more than 40 years in the business and eyecare industries, McGrann has held leadership roles across multiple segments of the vision care space, including Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA), Percept Corp., Marchon, VSP Global, and VSP Vision Care. In his current role at Advancing Eyecare, he continues to engage with the industry across clinical, retail, and technology sectors. His service on several boards—including Prevent Blindness, The Vision Council, and National Vision Inc.—has further broadened his perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping eye care.
Ahead of the gala, EB sat down with McGrann and Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, to discuss opportunity, partnership, and the future of eye health.
Industry Opportunity
Despite ongoing workforce shortages and rising rates of eye disease, McGrann shared he remains optimistic about optometry’s future.
“I’m really bullish on the state of the industry. There [are] enormous tailwinds,” he said. “We have an aging population, higher incidence of eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy and [age-related macular degeneration]. [Optometrists’] scope of practice is starting to expand. It’s a great time to be part of the industry.”
Those trends underscore the growing role vision care plays within the broader health care continuum. “Eye care is health care,” McGrann emphasized.
Children’s Vision Initiatives
A leading initiative for Prevent Blindness is focused on expanding access to pediatric vision care.
“We’re in the midst of trying to pass a law in Congress that would allow funding for states to implement children’s vision programs,” Todd said. “Early detection and access to care are critical, and ensuring that children receive appropriate screenings and follow-up services can have a lifelong impact on learning and development.”
These efforts are part of a broader agenda that includes patient education initiatives, disease awareness programs, and collaborations with industry stakeholders to improve access to eye care.
Artificial Intelligence Intel
Looking ahead, both Todd and McGrann emphasized the growing role artificial intelligence is expected to play in the vision sector, while expressing optimism about how eyecare businesses can adapt to the evolving technology.
“I'm a firm believer in [the idea that] AI is not going to replace doctors, but doctors that leverage AI and use AI will replace doctors that don't,” said McGrann.
He encourages practitioners to approach AI adoption strategically. “Don’t try to swallow the elephant,” he said. He suggested adopting the technology in phases and working with partners who can help integrate it into practice.