LASIK trolling referees, umpires with free eye surgery offer - and some are taking it

Article content

It’s a refrain that probably is as old as sports themselves.

“How did you miss that call? Are you blind!?”

Now, one company is doing its best to make sure that almost any official overseeing a professional sport in North America won’t have an excuse when it comes to eye sight.

Laser eye-surgery company LASIK.com is offering free procedures to any ref, official or umpire in eight professional sports in an effort to help eliminate awful calls that can ruin the fun for fans and players alike.

“Applicants must be referees or officials actively involved in officiating games within the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS, NWSL or USNT,” the company’s website reads.

“Candidates should be in good overall health and free from any medical conditions that may pose risks or contraindications for LASIK surgery. Referees and officials must undergo a comprehensive LASIK examination conducted by LASIK.com doctors to assess their ocular health and suitability for the procedure.”

The offer appears to be working. According to Front Office Sports, at least 10 refs or officials have taken up the company and underwent LASIK for free (or a similar surgery called PRK). According to the outlet, such a procedure normally would cost around US$5,000 for both eyes.

The site also noted that LASIK declined to reveal which league(s) the officials worked in or if they had been called out by the site’s social media account.

Last month, during the Battle of Ontario between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, LASIK’s X account shared a clip in which Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz pummeled Ridly Greig and no penalty was called.

“Better Vision. Better Calls,” the account wrote. “Yes, we still offer all NHL refs free LASIK.”

The account for LASIK.com, a network of providers of the corrective eye surgery LASIK, has been at it for a while, too, calling out some terrible calls over the past year or so since starting the campaign.

After a controversial call during an NFL playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, LASIK shared a photo of Bills QB Josh Allen appearing to gain a first down, which wasn’t called on the field.

“Still literally offering all NFL refs free LASIK,” the company wrote in the viral post, which racked up more than 119,000 likes on the social media site.

The LASIK.com team also told FOS that they get tagged several times per day on social media by individuals pointing out bad calls.

But it’s not just for referees, several athletes have enhanced their games by getting the surgery.

LeBron James saw his shooting percentage improve after his LASIK surgery in 2007 and NFL QB Jameis Winston – who threw 30 interceptions during the 2019 season – cut down on his picks after getting eye surgery.

LASIK is an acronym for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis” and is a common eye procedure that can help improve vision.

Doctors use a laser to reshape a patient’s cornea and, for some, the surgery can eliminate the need for glasses or contacts.

Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis.