News from the AOA
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News from the AOA
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.
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AOA’s Eye Deserve More Teams Up with Kike Hernández to Highlight the Power of In-Person Care
The AOA launched an exciting new phase of its Eye Deserve More campaign in partnership with professional baseball player Kike Hernández to educate the public about the value of comprehensive eye exams with an AOA doctor of optometry and the unmatched power of the human eye.
For Kike, success at the plate depends on more than strength and ability — it begins with his eye health. After struggling at the plate during his 2024 season, he turned to a Doctor of Optometry and discovered that comprehensive eye exams are the real game-changer. Now, he’s using his platform to highlight that there is no substitution for in-person, comprehensive care from a Doctor of Optometry, and inspiring Americans to get the care they deserve.
To get involved and learn more about the AOA’s efforts, please access the Member and Affiliate Toolkit under “Campaign Resources.”
Read Kike’s story—From Blurred Vision to Game-Day Clarity: Kike Hernández’s Story
