LITTLE ROCK -- Memorial Day, observed this year on May 30, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States.
McFarland Eye Centers' HERO Program pays tribute to those who continue to serve our communities and protect the freedoms we celebrate on Memorial Day by offering significant savings on Lasik surgery to those who qualify.
In addition, in honor of Memorial Day, McFarlands is giving away free Lasik to one hero. Those who qualify can enter on McFarlands Facebook page by commenting on the contest post, in 200 words or less, how having Lasik would change their life. The winner will be determined by the entry with the most "likes."
"At McFarland Eye Centers, we appreciate those who put their lives on the line for us -- both at home and overseas. They are the first to help our communities in the event of an emergency," says Dr. Evan Newbolt of McFarlands in the press release.
Many of the patients who seek Lasik surgery for vision correction are in the military or are emergency first responders -- police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians. While eyeglasses and contact lenses are just an inconvenience for most people, for emergency personnel, they can interfere with the ability to do the job safely and effectively.
Chris Littleton, a police officer in the Little Rock area, is one such patient who has benefited. After wearing glasses and contacts for more than 20 years, he had Lasik surgery in January.
"Not having to deal with those anymore has just been amazing," he says. "As a police officer, being out on the streets, glasses are constantly in the way, and contacts get dry and blurry. I work long hours, so I was always wondering, 'Are my contacts going to make it through the night?' Lasik has allowed me freedom from that worry and, really, to do my job better."
Littleton had the procedure through the HERO Program, established in 2005 as an expression of thanks, gratitude and appreciation for those who bravely serve.
The HERO Program offers Lasik at substantial savings to the dedicated men and women serving as active military, National Guard, Army Reserve, firefighters (city and volunteer departments), law enforcement (local, county, state and FBI) and EMTs. This results in savings of $675 per eye for Lasik and is not a special offer that expires soon. Rather, it is an ongoing expression of appreciation from McFarlands.
"We know that a procedure like this isn't affordable for everyone, and we wanted to do our part to make it possible for these men and women who have devoted their lives to service," says Newbolt.
"I've really enjoyed my Lasik surgery," Littleton says. "And being able to have it at a discounted price, through the HERO program, was really nice and made it possible. It's better than sliced bread!"
Wearing glasses can be particularly frustrating for other first responders and military personnel who work in harsh environments such as fire scenes where smoke, water and small foreign body debris can interfere and create discomfort with contact lenses.
Firefighter Alton Phillips says, "I'd been wanting to do Lasik for a couple of years, but financially, I couldn't do it. McFarlands allowed a way for me to be able to pay for the procedure, and I love it!"
McFarlands offers Bladeless Lasik, the super-fast, ultra-smooth, low-energy technology which enables Newbolt to use the laser to customize the corneal flap for each individual patient. This technology also makes it possible to treat those who were previously dismissed as noncandidates due to thin corneas. Bladeless Lasik is the only Lasik technique approved for treating fighter pilots in the military.
For 34 years, the doctors and staff of McFarland Eye Centers have served the people of Arkansas, and their focus is on patient care. "McFarlands offers safe and convenient outpatient surgery with the help of experienced and friendly staff, and also provides skilled clinical care for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and dry eye. In addition to Lasik, they provide world-class cataract surgery and oculofacial plastics surgery. The McFarland Eye Centers medical team is led by seven well-trained and compassionate doctors, including Dr. Mike McFarland. He invented the "No-Stitch" technique that is now preferred by cataract surgeons around the world. McFarland was the first ophthalmologist named 'Best of the Best Ophthalmologist' by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and he has been named to the 'Best Doctors in America' list for 20 consecutive years," states the release.
Business on 05/16/2016