From left: Dr. Neal Sher of Eye Care Associates in Minneapolis and Dr. George Boozalis of Victoria Eye Center in Victoria, TX
In movies and comic books, heroes are portrayed as larger-than-life, having super powers and flashy costumes. But here in the real world, heroes are our fire fighters, police, EMTs and military personnel who risk their lives on a daily basis to keep their communities safe.
So how do you say thank you to these amazing men and women who look out for our safety? Two ophthalmologists have come up with their own ways of doing just that by offering the heroes in their communities free vision correction surgery.
Sight for Soldiers
Over 10 years ago, a young soldier who was being deployed to Iraq came in to see Dr. Neal Sher — an ophthalmologist at Eye Care Associates in Minneapolis — as he wanted to have laser vision correction.
"He was a single father to three kids ... He wanted to do anything he could to get back to take care of his kids and not be hurt or wounded," Sher recalled. "He said by being able to see — he was quite nearsighted — he thought that would reduce his chance of being injured."
After his consultation, the soldier realized he could not afford the procedures. However, Sher told him he would offer the procedure for free. He then contacted the Phillips Eye Institute, where Sher performs all his surgeries, to see if they would waive their fees and they did.
This marked the beginning of what would become the Sight for Soldiers program. To date, Sher has donated his services to provide LASIK or PRK surgery to more than 500 soldiers, mainly from the National Guard who were deploying to combat zones.
For Sher — who himself was an officer with the Public Health Service for three years — creating the Sight for Soldiers program has given him the chance to honor the service of his father, who was a four-year combat veteran of World War II. And he said he and his staff get a great deal of joy and gratification helping those who serve our country.
"We enjoy all our patients, but you have a particular satisfaction with these folks because they tell you what having their vision restored means to them," he explained. "And they would never be able to afford to do it on their own."
Eyes On Our Heroes
About five years ago, Dr. George Boozalis — owner of Victoria Eye Center in Victoria, TX — and his staff wanted to put in place a program that would help support and say thank you to their local first responders, and that would also act as an annual memorial for the tragic events of 9/11.
Now in its fourth year, the Center's Eyes on Our Heroes program offers local fire fighters, police, and EMTs the opportunity to receive free LASIK surgery. In the summer, the public is invited to nominate a first responder through a 200-word essay or video entry submitted through the Center's Facebook page. Boozalis' staff goes through the submissions and narrows it down to six finalists. Then the public votes and the top three are provided with a free LASIK procedure around September 11th.
"We thought by giving them free LASIK it would allow them to do their jobs better," Boozalis explained. "We thought it would be a great gesture as a thank you."
And Boozalis said the program helps the entire community by allowing first responders to work without worrying about glasses that could fog up or break, or contacts that could become troublesome. "Optical appliances really do encumber their day-to-day jobs and really does become a problem when they’re in more grave situations," he added. "(They) are now able to do their jobs safer, more efficiently, more effectively without being encumbered with glasses or contacts."
Do It Yourself
For ophthalmologists who wish to set up a similar program in their own area for those who serve, how can they get started?
Boozalis said just do it. "It really isn't that difficult and if they're worried about how it will affect their schedule, start off small and do one patient here or there," he added. "You'll find a huge outpouring of support for the first responders and you'll find a huge demand for it amongst that group."
To get started, Boozalis suggested reaching out to your local services — city police, county sheriff, and EMT and fire departments — to spread the word and tell them this is something you want to offer as a thank you for their services is the easiest first step.
Sher also advised practitioners speak to their local guard unit, and speak to the institutions where they operate — whether it be their own laser center or a third party — to see if they would waive their fees or offer reduced rates.
"It’s not that hard to do and many ophthalmologists I think would love the satisfaction of doing it," Sher added.