AOA teams up with Kike Hernández to champion eye health

In today’s tech-driven world, Americans are more likely to upgrade their devices than prioritize their eye health. According to recent surveys, 77% of Americans say having the latest technology is essential, and nearly half feel compelled to install daily updates on their phones.  

Yet, the human eye—arguably the most sophisticated technology we possess—often goes neglected. 

That’s why the AOA’s Eye Deserve More campaign is taking a bold step forward, partnering with professional baseball player Kike Hernández to shift the focus back to the tech that matters most: our eyes. 

Upgrade your eye health, upgrade your game 

For Kike, his eye health has become his most important piece of equipment on and off the field. Even before his swing begins, his visual system is already processing at full speed—analyzing path, depth and spin to make split-second decisions at the plate. He relies on cues such as the pitcher’s arm motion and the spin of the ball to determine his next move.  

But during his 2024 spring training, something felt off. Even after passing standard physicals and screenings, he was struggling to track the ball and no amount of extra training or mechanical adjustments seemed to help. Feeling the pressure, he turned to a doctor of optometry for answers after encouragement from a teammate and discovered that comprehensive eye exams are the real game-changer. 

“From the quality of our bats to the software we use to analyze our swing, athletes rely on the best tools to perform,” says Kike. “Last year in the first half of my season, I was struggling at the plate and trying everything to improve; I knew something wasn’t right, but it was something I couldn’t see. After being encouraged to see an optometrist in person, I was diagnosed with astigmatism. After working with my optometrist, I was able to turn my season around and help my team win.”  

Now, he’s teaming up with the AOA to help spread the word that comprehensive, in-person eye exams with a doctor of optometry are essential—for athletes, parents and everyone in between. Check out his recent interview with Forbes.

Driving public awareness 

Since 2021, the AOA’s media advocacy efforts have been guided by Eye Deserve More, promoting the importance of annual, comprehensive eye exams and driving patients to an AOA doctor near them.

Building on the momentum of last year’s successful launch of The Eye, the campaign continues to shift public perception by reminding Americans that their eyes are the most advanced technology they own and why it’s important to protect them. 

2024 at a glance: 

• The August 2024 launch social post received double the number of shares of the latest iPhone release.
• There were 2.5 million more eye exams conducted in Q4 2024 vs. Q3.
• For the first time ever, “Routine Eye Exams” ranked in the top 10 most-booked health visits of the year. 

This year, The Eye and its high-tech “specs” return to help illustrate the incredible technological power of the human visual system, which helps fuel Kike’s performance on the field and supports each of us in our daily lives. 

To help tell the story, Emily Benson, O.D., AOA member and past AOSA president, lends her clinical insights and passion for sports vision to the forefront. Having completed her thesis on baseball and vision, Dr. Benson features in the campaign’s hero video where she breaks down what Kike’s eyes are doing in those critical milliseconds at the plate, underscoring just how vital healthy vision is in high-performance moments and everyday life. 

Through real patient experiences, expert voices and dynamic storytelling, the AOA continues to educate the public—and elevate the profession—by showing that when it comes to protecting our most valuable tech, the eyes have it.