About this episode

This episode features a practical discussion on the use of AI tools for optometry practice owners with Dr. Mick Kling.

AI can feel overwhelming, overhyped, and impossible to keep up with — especially when every conversation seems to swing between "this changes everything" and "this is all just noise." In this episode of 20/20 Money, I'm joined once again by Dr. Mick Kling for a practical conversation about where AI is actually useful for practice owners right now — without the doom-and-gloom, hype, or technical jargon. Mick shares how he's been thoughtfully experimenting with AI inside his own workflows to improve efficiency, analyze practice financials, model business decisions, and simplify strategic planning. More importantly, we discuss how practice owners can start using these tools in approachable, low-risk ways without needing to become programmers, coders, or "tech people." We also discuss: Why AI should be viewed more as an assistant than a replacement The biggest mistakes owners make when using AI tools How Mick built AI-powered financial analysis tools without coding experience The "LENS" framework for creating better prompts and better outputs Practical ways to use AI for business planning, associate hiring decisions, and cash flow analysis Why dashboards and reporting may evolve…

People in this episode

Host: Adam Cmejla

Guest: Dr. Mick Kling

Topics covered

• AI in optometry
• practice management
• efficiency tools
• financial analysis
• strategic planning
• human connection in technology

Keywords

• AI
• optometry
• practice owners
• efficiency
• financial analysis
• business planning
• technology

More episodes of 20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry

• What every seller needs to know before selling their practice · July 20, 2026 · 45 min
• Your Practice Doesn't Need More of Your Time — It Needs Better Use of It with Nathan Hayes · July 13, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Optical isn't dead - but the way you are running it is with Dr. Jennifer Stewart · June 29, 2026 · 55 min
• Why some dry eye practices thrive--and others quietly fail with Dr. Chris Wolfe · June 22, 2026 · 45 min
• Implementing a profitable Medicaid practice into your local school district: a convo with Dr. Ryan Hansen · June 15, 2026 · 44 min
• A blueprint for scaling your practice (while having a life in the process): unpacking Eyecare B.O.S.S. with Eugene Shatsman · June 8, 2026 · 53 min

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