The Eye is a conceptual product that encourages people to see their eyes through a new lens and prioritize exams with an AOA doctor of optometry.

NEW YORK—The American Optometric Association (AOA), a leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, announced that it has launched The Eye—an educational prototype that draws parallels between the latest technology on the market and the advanced power of our eyes, demonstrating the extraordinary capabilities of the eyes that current technology cannot replicate. The Eye is part of AOA's multi-year awareness campaign, Eye Deserve More, which asserts that every American deserves comprehensive, in-person care from an AOA doctor of optometry as an integral part of their overall health and well-being, the announcement said.

The Eye conveys the incredible complexity of the human visual system and the importance of seeing an optometrist who understands and assesses all these advanced functions, the AOA said. Each feature of The Eye represents real functions of the human eye, such as processing billions of pathways, recalling familiar images, and when paired with an optometrist, it can alert patients to more than 270 health conditions. Though The Eye is a hypothetical exploration, it underscores the unmatched capabilities of human vision and the necessity of maintaining eye health, according to the announcement.

The AOA hosted a media event on Thursday to help launch The Eye. A panel discussion included Dr. Belinda Starkey, OD, and an AOA trustee, Sebastian Arrietta, an industrial prototype designer who helped design The Eye, and Judner Aura, a technology content creator and influencer. The discussion covered timely topics such as the importance of comprehensive eye exams for both eye health and overall health, how technology plays a part in eye health, and the importance of educating the public and patients on maintaining eye health at every stage of life.

“I think there’s a real opportunity to have increased education around eye health that we aren’t having right now,” Aura said during the panel discussion.

"With the increasing reliance on technology, people are spending more time on their screens which can lead to digital eyestrain and cause significant discomfort," added Dr. Starkey. "Maintaining eye health is vital at every stage of life to prevent vision loss and enhance overall well-being. Our Eye Deserve More campaign and The Eye serve as powerful reminders that our eyes are one of the most valuable assets we have. Prioritizing in-person, comprehensive eye exams with a doctor of optometry ensures that we can safeguard the sophisticated tech we are all born with.”





(L to R) Moderator Michael DelMoro, senior vice president, media strategy at Edelman, Dr. Belinda Starkey, OD, and AOA trustee, Judner Aura, a technology content creator and influencer, and Sebastian Arrietta, an industrial prototype designer who helped design The Eye, discussed the importance of visual health and technology during yesterday’s panel discussion in SoHo.
The public is invited to "Step Inside to See 'The Eye'" this weekend in SoHo.
Through engaging exhibits and activities, attendees will gain a deeper appreciation for their eye health.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 23, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET for local doctors, paraoptometrics, students and members of the optometric community to experience the event and enjoy some light appetizers with colleagues, the group announced. Those who are unable to attend the opening reception are invited to visit anytime during the public event, the organization said.

The multi-day pop-up event is open to the general public in New York City, from August 23-25 at 39 Wooster St. in the SoHo section of the city. This immersive and interactive experience is intricately designed to help visitors understand the remarkable technology within their eyes. Through engaging exhibits and activities, attendees will gain a deeper appreciation for their eye health, the AOA said.

“The one takeaway that I’d like everyone to have is that incorporating a comprehensive eye exam, just like you would want to update and maintain your technology, is so crucial,” Dr. Starkey said at the conclusion of the panel discussion. “And by doing so you can really enjoy the benefits of your technology but you’re not sacrificing your visual health and your overall health.”