Free eye surgery for Wounded Warriors

Wethersfield, Conn. (WTNH) - Veterans who were injured during their deployments will be receiving free LASIK eye correction surgery as part of the Wounded Warrior Project.

33-year old Douglas McBrierty of Guilford became the first Connecticut war veteran to receive the free LASIK.

"Well, I've worn glasses almost my whole life. You get over there and it's just cumbersome because your equipment doesn't fit right," McBrierty said.

The surgery, performed by Dr. Anthony Salierno at the LasikPlus Vision Center in Wethersfield, took just 10 minutes.

"We cut a partial flap of the cornea, flip it back, then the second laser will reshape the cornea and then we put the flap back down," Dr. Salierno explained.

Imagine having to go into combat with ill fitting glasses or contact lenses, and having to be evacuated when the glasses break or a contact falls out, or just an infection because of the dust.

LasikPlus is performing this $2,000-$4,000 procedure free of charge to veterans who qualify, but they are pushing to have the military make it part of going into the service, before going to combat.

"Can we do the right thing and remove glasses from the battlefield so our soldiers can function absolutely without any constraints, enhance their performance and save their lives in the battle field," said David Thomas, COO, LCA-Vision.

"So this would eliminate all this and it would be a positive benefit, I dare say a recruitment tool for many people, especially those who wear glasses," said Rep. John Larson (D-1st district).

Larson says he's proposing that it become part of the standard military health insurance for all entering members of the service.

The Fisher House Foundation will provide free air fare for soldiers, spouses and/or primary care givers to LasikPlus Vision Centers for members of the Wounded Warrior Project.