Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) has completed the first cohort of its A/Eye Certification Course: Intelligent Tools for Private Practice. The course is an educational program on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in independent eyecare practices.
More than 150 participants took part in 6 sessions, which were created in partnership with the VSP Global Innovation Center. The course was designed to provide foundational knowledge and practical guidance for using AI to improve practice efficiency and support long-term growth. Topics included AI fundamentals, administrative uses, clinical applications, marketing, ethical implementation, and future AI trends affecting optometry. Participants received 6 hours of COPE-accredited education and could also participate in workshops that applied AI platforms to real-world practice operations.
“The A/Eye Certification Course reflects PECAA’s commitment to helping private practices stay informed, competitive, and prepared for what’s next in eye care,” said Justin Manning, OD, MPH, FAAO, PECAA chief member experience officer, in a press release.
Brian Haugen, MD, of Northridge Eye Care in Red Bluff, California, said in the press release that his practice expanded its use of AI in strategic and financial analysis and establishing benchmarks for different areas of the practice after participating in the course. “A gamechanger was understanding how to enter prompts to produce better answers to the questions we were asking,” he added. Practice administrator Alicia Chavez said the practice is also using AI to analyze data and generate predictive insights. She noted that the tools have saved staff time that can instead be devoted to other responsibilities and patient care.
The A/Eye program joins PECAA’s existing certification courses that enhance practice team skills. PECAA said the AI course will be offered again in 2027. The certification program is open to doctors and their staff as part of PECAA’s education offerings for the independent optometry community.