News from the AOA

News from the AOA

AOA’s Eye Deserve More Campaign Partners with Kike Hernández

The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) multi-year Eye Deserve More campaign has partnered with professional baseball player Kike Hernández to spotlight the importance of in-person, comprehensive eye exams. This latest phase shares Kike’s dedication to his eye health after struggling with astigmatism and pterygiums before visiting a Doctor of Optometry—an experience that transformed both his vision and his game.

His story emphasizes how anyone can miss critical signs of eye health and vision issues, while underscoring that there is no substitution for an in-person eye exam, whether you’re playing in the big leagues or on a local field.

What You Should Know About AOA+ 2026 in Phoenix

AOA+ 2026 at Optometry’s Meeting® is a can’t-miss, career-defining opportunity that engages our profession’s next generation to lead optometry forward.

Coming to Phoenix, June 17-20, 2026, AOA+ at Optometry’s Meeting connects participants with leaders from across the country, offering powerful opportunities for education, mentorship, advocacy, and networking to help them advance in the classroom and clinic.

Event highlights include:

• 275 hours of education delivered by premier speakers
• Career-readiness and practice-focused sessions
• Interactive advocacy programming
• Philanthropic and impactful networking opportunities

Even for such an impactful opportunity, the AOA and AOSA recognize the time commitment and financial considerations for attending. That’s why travel grants will be made available for students, residents, and new graduates, as well as faculty to attend alongside their students. Grants will be made available starting in January 2026.

Sign up for an early registration alert to receive priority registration access—and your travel grant—in January.

Pledge your organization’s support for encouraging attendance at AOA+ 2026 and committing to career-long involvement in optometry’s advancement.