The American Optometric Association (AOA), the leading authority on and advocate for quality eye health care, 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 our 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 wellbeing.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TECH
Technology has become a non-negotiable part of people’s daily lives, shaping how we work, communicate, and entertain ourselves. Research has shown that 77% of Americans find it essential to have the latest technology and gadgets1, and 49% of people feel like they need to install daily updates on their personal phone.2 This trend underscores the cultural shift where being up-to-date with technology is not just a preference but a necessity for most individuals. However, while many people prioritize upgrading their tech devices, they often overlook the importance of maintaining their most advanced tech – their eyes. The growing emphasis on technology results in more screen time for its users, which can affect eye health.
“With the increasing reliance on technology, people are spending more time on their screens which can lead to digital eye strain and cause significant discomfort,” says Belinda R. Starkey, OD, and member of the AOA Board of Trustees. “Maintaining eye health is vital at every stage of life to prevent vision loss and enhance overall wellbeing. 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.”
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. 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 you to over 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. The latest smartphones on the market don’t even come close to what our visual system can do – in comparison to 8 gigabytes of RAM and 48 megapixels, the visual system boasts 2.5 million gigabytes of RAM3 and 576 megapixels.4
CHANGING YOUR PERSPECTIVE: THE EYE’S IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
To launch The Eye and this year’s Eye Deserve More campaign, AOA is hosting a multi-day pop-up event open to the general public in New York City, NY from August 23-25 at 39 Wooster St., New York, NY, 10013. This immersive and interactive experience will be 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.
Explore how you can maintain your most advanced tech and delve deeper into the components of The Eye at SeeTheEye.com.
