Preferred Practice Patterns (PPPs) are designed to identify characteristics and components of quality eye care. Developed by a panel of experts (the Quality of Care and Knowledge Base Development Secretariat and the PPP Committee) and based on the best available scientific data, PPPs provide guidance for the pattern of practice, not for the care of a particular individual. Guidelines and Assessments are developed by the Academy without any external financial support.

To ensure all PPPs are current, each is valid for five years from the date of issue unless superseded by a revision.