Why the LASIK Industry Trolls Refs & Umpires
LASIK keeps going viral – and getting good publicity – by mocking officials.
Another blown call. Another viral tweet. Another LASIK offer.
If you've spent any time on social media during or immediately following a big game recently, you've probably seen it: LASIK providers piling on referees and umpires with tongue-in-cheek posts offering them free vision correction after a missed call.
It’s part joke, part image rehabilitation strategy.
From the perspective of a New Yorker and a sports fan (Go Blue!)… or for anyone who has ever berated an official after hurting your team by blowing a pivotal call… these jokes/tweets write themselves.
But from the perspective as an ophthalmologist and independent vision correction specialist, this is just another cynical page from the LASIK industry playbook.
Over the past year, LASIK.com’s X Profile has launched an aggressive and HIGHLY visible marketing blitz, turning every controversial officiating moment in professional sports into an opportunity to promote LASIK. NFL refs came first – they were offered free LASIK after a viral roughing-the-passer controversy. MLB umpires came next – including a missed strike call that triggered a full-page newspaper ad and a cascade of tweets. Throughout the season, LASIK.com has consistently inserted itself into national sports conversations, live-tweeting commentary during primetime games and encouraging fans to nominate officials for corrective surgery.
Some tweets reached over 2 million views, and just about every major media outlet (including Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, NBC, CBS, Fox, Yahoo Sports, Vice, and the LA Times) have amplified this messaging.
This isn’t a one-off stunt, either. It’s a full-blown brand image rehabilitation strategy for LASIK surgery, and it’s generating millions of impressions each time.
“Better Vision. Better Calls. Still literally offering all NFL refs free LASIK.”
This has actually gone so far that LASIK.com has REPEATEDLY admonished accounts on X who harass or threaten officials (usually the same officials they drew attention to through their own snarky tweets…).
But This Isn’t About Refs or Officiating
It’s not about sports at all. It’s about fixing LASIK’s reputation.
After years of scrutiny, the LASIK industry is hungry for a rebrand. These “viral moments” are a calculated pivot to recapture public trust and get LASIK back into a positive spotlight. If that means hijacking fandom and frustration? So be it.
It’s slick and probably effective. And it oversimplifies a life-changing decision.
Media Clout-Chasing is Helping LASIK
This viral momentum isn’t happening in a vacuum.
Some media corporations and blogs may have behind-the-scenes partnerships or affiliate relationships with LASIK corporations, giving these campaigns an intentional boost. Others (including meme pages to fan-run accounts) just see an opportunity to capitalize on the attention aor think it’s funny. But either way, the end result is the same: the idea that LASIK is the go-to solution for poor vision gets reinforced over and over again.
Let’s Not Ignore The Timing
In the past couple of years, YouTubers, TikTok influencers, and online forums have been flooded the public with stories of LASIK regret: chronic dry eyes and discomfort, blurry night vision, and long-term complications that weren’t properly explained beforehand.
The LASIK industry has absolutely noticed this and felt the contraction. This campaign – with its entertaining joke-tweets and easy-to-share visuals – is carefully coordinated damage control to try and shift the narrative back in their favor.
Even the social media handle behind this campaign, LASIK.COM, is designed to shortcut the research process because it sounds like a definitive source. And in a world where many people click before they think, that branding alone is powerful.
But branding isn’t safety, and internet virality definitely doesn’t translate to quality care.
What We Believe
We think surgery shouldn’t be marketed like a meme.
Vision correction is personal. Permanent. And something that should never be rushed into based on a punchline.
That’s why we offer Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA).
It’s a no-cut, no-flap procedure for patients valuing safety and long-term outcomes. It comes with fewer long-term risks and a recovery plan customized for each patient. And we promise precision, care, and a commitment to long-term outcomes over short-term trends.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about vision correction, don’t let a viral tweet or halftime ad that’s been devised in a board room influence you. There are better ways to see clearly – and better reasons to trust your eyes to someone.