Eight hairstylists came to work Sunday even though it was their day off.
Talie Ayers, 22, of Denver organized a haircutting fundraiser at Moxie Hair Co. to help pay for surgery to improve her childhood friend’s eyesight.
Ayers’ friend Erynn Simone, 22, of Boulder, said she can no longer read menus or road signs because of a genetic condition called kerataconus, which distorts the shape of her cornea.
“I’m constantly rubbing my eyes because that is the only thing that relieves them, but it makes my eyes worse,” Simone said. “If the tiniest piece of dirt flies in my eyes, it is painful.”
Simone said her doctors told her she needs a type of laser surgery called Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments, which is not covered by her health insurance.
The surgery involves inserting a ring-shaped implant into the cornea to give it the right shape.
About 60 customers came to Moxie to get haircuts. The stylists will donate all haircut money from Sunday’s event and from another planned next Sunday toward the $7,000 surgery. The procedure for her right eye is scheduled for Friday.
“It’s great that everyone could come together,” Ayers said.
Simone said she hopes the publicity will educate others who might have her condition.
Trevor Williams, 27, of Denver said he had his mohawk colored at the salon Friday night but decided to wait until Sunday for his haircut.
Ayers suggested writing checks to Omni Eye Specialists.
Staff writer Katherine Crowell can be reached at kcrowell@denverpost.com.
