LCA-Vision (FRA:LCV1) Treasury Stock : €-79.29 Mil (As of Mar. 2014)

LCA-Vision, Inc., is a provider of fixed-site laser vision correction services at its LasikPlus vision centers. Its vision centers provide the staff, facilities, equipment and support services for performing laser vision correction that employ advanced laser technologies to help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Its vision centers are supported by ophthalmologists and credentialed optometrists, as well as other healthcare professionals. The ophthalmologists perform the laser vision correction procedures in its vision centers, and ophthalmologists or optometrists conduct pre-procedure evaluations and post-operative follow-up care in-center. It provides two types of procedures in its vision centers namely LASIK; and PRK and Surface Ablation. It began performing LASIK, in 1996, which continues to account for the majority of the laser vision correction procedures performed in the United States. In LASIK procedures, its surgeon's uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap, which remains hinged to the eye. In PRK procedures, the ophthalmologist removes the thin layer of cells covering the outer surface of the cornea (the epithelium) in order to apply the excimer laser pulses directly to the surface of the cornea. Following the PRK procedure, the ophthalmologist places a bandage contact lens on the eye to protect it. Most of its patients currently receive a procedure called laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis ('LASIK'), which it began performing in the United States in 1996. As of December 31, 2012, it operated 54 LasikPlus fixed-site laser vision correction centers generally located in metropolitan markets in the United States, including two vision centers licensed to ophthalmologists who operate using its trademarks. It currently uses two suppliers for its fixed-site excimer lasers: Abbott Medical Optics ('AMO') and Alcon Inc. ('Alcon'). Its business is heavily dependent on advertising, which is subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission ('FTC').