THE AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER, KIKE HERNÁNDEZ, TO CHAMPION IN-PERSON EYE EXAMS THROUGH NATIONWIDE "EYE DESERVE MORE" CAMPAIGN
Hernández's compelling journey underscores the critical role doctors of optometry play in safeguarding overall health and well-being
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Optometric Association (AOA), the nation's leading authority and advocate for quality eye health care, today announced its partnership with professional baseball player Kike Hernández to champion in-person comprehensive care from a doctor of optometry. The partnership is part of AOA's multi-year Eye Deserve More campaign that encourages Americans to prioritize maintaining their eye health as an essential part of their health and wellbeing.
Hear from professional baseball player Kike Hernández and AOA doctor Emily Benson, O.D., about how seeing his optometrist improved his game.
AOA doctor Emily Benson, O.D., explains the advanced technology behind the human eye that allows for top performance, on and off the field.
After struggling at the plate, Kike was diagnosed with astigmatism by his optometrist. This diagnosis allowed him to change his season around and perform at his best.
Back at the plate with clearer vision, he is proving that comprehensive, in-person eyecare from a doctor of optometry can make all the difference.
AOA doctor Emily Benson, O.D., explains how Kike’s visual system is already hard at work even before his swing starts analyzing path, depth, and spin to make split decisions at the plate.
Today, Kike never misses a comprehensive eye exam. As an athlete, playing his best starts with taking care of his eyes.
"From the quality of our bats to the software we use to analyze our swing, athletes rely on the best tools to perform. But I learned the hard way that the most advanced equipment I own are my eyes," said Kike Hernández. "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."
Hernández's story is a reminder that even elite athletes can miss critical signs of eye health and vision issues. Despite passing standard vision screenings, his astigmatism was impairing his ability to see the ball clearly. Astigmatism is a common vision condition that occurs due to an irregularly shaped cornea (the lens) that prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, which causes vision to be out of focus at any distance. Hernández also has pterygium, which is an abnormal growth of tissue caused from sun exposure. His diagnosis and treatment not only improved his performance but also transformed his perspective on 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 essential1, 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. To help educate Americans on the immense power within their own eyes, AOA developed The Eye, a conceptual product with impressive specs and an intricate design to convey the incredible complexity of our visual system. Even with all the advancements in modern tech, it's impossible to actually replicate the amazing things your eyes can do, which is another reason why it's so important to prioritize and maintain your eye health.
"It's time to refocus," said Dr. Emily Benson, Clinical Optometrist at University Hospitals and member of the AOA. "Your eyes are your most powerful technology. Whether you're at work, playing with your kids, driving, or stepping up to the plate in a major league game, ensuring your eyes are performing at their best starts with a comprehensive, in-person exam with an optometrist."
Doctors of optometry are America's frontline providers of eye and vision care, conducting more than two-thirds of primary eye health care in the U.S. A comprehensive eye exam can detect over 270 serious health conditions—including diabetes, high blood pressure, and even brain tumors—often before symptoms appear. Unlike online vision tests or screenings, in-person exams provide a complete picture of eye and overall health.
"Going through this really changed the way I think about eye health, especially with a daughter and new baby on the way, it's even more important that we take care of our eyes because they impact so much of our lives on and off the field," said Hernández. "Now when I see others struggling, I encourage them to get an in-person exam with an optometrist. I recently told a teammate to go and it turns out he also has an astigmatism that he got corrected."
To learn more about Hernández's story and how to protect your most advanced tech—your eyes—visit SeeTheEye.com.
About The American Optometric Association The American Optometric Association (AOA) represents more than 50,000 doctors of optometry, students and professionals who provide the majority of eye health and vision care in over 10,000 U.S. communities. As the leading voice for quality eye care, the AOA advances the profession through cutting-edge education, practice-changing resources, singular advocacy, and public education about the profession, ensuring patients nationwide have trusted access to essential, in-person eye health and vision care with member doctors of optometry.
About Eye Deserve More Eye Deserve More is a multi-faceted national campaign that takes the stand that every American deserves in-person comprehensive care from an AOA doctor of optometry as part of their eye health and overall health and wellbeing.
About The Eye The Eye, designed by Sebastian Arrieta, a renowned product developer, is a conceptual prototype that serves as an educational tool to highlight the immense power of human eyes and the importance of eye health. The physical components of The Eye represent real capabilities of the human eye to demonstrate a level of sophistication that current technology cannot physically replicate. This underscores the need to prioritize and care for the most advanced technology we already have in our own bodies – our eyes.
Media contacts: Yakesha Cooper American Optometric Association [email protected]
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