Christmas may have come early for a few patients of Dr. Michael Furlong.

Nine people, who were either military veterans or low-income individuals, received vision correction surgery through Furlong’s charitable program, the Gift of Sight.

Surgeries were performed on Oct. 26 at Furlong’s office in downtown San Jose. This is the 16th year the Campbell resident has performed surgeries for people who need corrective eyesight surgery but can’t afford it.

Furlong and his staff provide the pre-surgery consultation, surgery and post-op visits at no cost.

This year Furlong’s office worked with the Cost of Courage Foundation to identify military veterans who could benefit from the surgery. A network of optometrists referred low-income patients to Furlong.

“We had 20 applicants this year,” Furlong said, adding that applicants’ eyes are evaluated for either a LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy surgery.

A majority of the patients this year received LASIK surgery, taking 10 minutes total for each patient. According to Furlong, the procedure cost per eye is $3,200.

Furlong said the recovery time is very short, taking up to a day.

“The day after surgery they have a check-up, and most of them are driving themselves to the appointment,” he said, adding that some patients refrain from athletic activities for a week.

For some patients, the Gift of Sight gives more than just better vision. San Jose resident and military veteran Richard Vargas was homeless when Furlong went to the shelter where he was staying to talk about becoming a potential candidate for the surgery.

“He spoke to us and then explained how to apply,” Vargas, 56, said, adding that being accepted for the Gift of Sight “jump-started the good chain of events” that has led him to stable housing.

Vargas said he was living in his car for eight months in various parts of the country. Previously, he was learning to train dogs for K9 units in Southern California as part of his PTSD therapy.

He returned to the Bay Area and started his own K9 training business, but his failing vision resulted in an injury and being unable to work.

“Eyesight is a big factor,” Vargas said, adding that during the K9 training he would act as an “agitator,” and it was critical to see which angle a dog was coming from.

Vargas said he’s considering a return to K9 training now that he doesn’t have to worry about his glasses falling off or incurring another injury.

“I want to go back to doing something I love—working with dogs,” Vargas said, adding, “I’ll always remember Dr. Furlong.”