Ohio-Based Lasik Surgery Company Struggles

CINCINNATI -- The number of laser eye surgery procedures conducted by publicly traded LCA-Vision Inc. dropped 38 percent in the second quarter from a year ago, a reflection of industrywide troubles.

In a faltering economy, consumers are more likely to choose glasses or contacts instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for the usually popular Lasik eye surgery.

"When times are good, some people won't hesitate to spend $2,000 or $4,000 for an elective corrective treatment," said University of Missouri-St. Louis professor Stephen Moehrle. "In tough times, putting on a pair of glasses becomes a little more tolerable."

Cincinnati-based LCA-Vision has recently had layoffs, a salary freeze and large cuts to its advertising and marketing budgets. The 38 percent drop in procedures in the second quarter compared to the same time last year led to a 30 percent decline in quarterly revenue.

source: Newsnet5

NJ LASIK Doctor Has Rare Dual Certification

There are two organizations which provide certification of LASIK surgeons based on surgical skills and results. Dr. Daniel Goldberg has a rare dual certification from both the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (an independent, nonprofit, patient and consumer health organization that evaluates and verifies the quality of the surgeries provided by select refractive surgeons in the United States), and the ABES(American Board of Eye Surgeons).

The ABES(American Board of Eye Surgeons) promotes the highest possible quality ophthalmologic surgical care. The ABES certification programs include a process through which a surgeon’s actual surgical skills and judgment are tested and observed by his or her peers. The ABES tests surgical skills in cataract/intraocular lens surgery as well as LASIK and corneal transplantation. In 1989, Dr Goldberg was the first eye surgeon in New Jersey to have surgical skills in cataract and intraocular lens surgery certified by ABES. In 2002 he became one of 2 New Jersey LASIK surgeons to have surgical skills certified in LASIK by ABES.

source: PR-USA

Patient selection key to success of LASIK monovision for correcting presbyopia

LASIK monovision is a viable and increasingly accepted method for correcting presbyopic and pre-presbyopic refractive surgery candidates, according to results from a recent study.

In addition, crossed monovision, in which the dominant eye is corrected for near vision, may be applied successfully in suitable candidates.

"Although the overall success of monovision was good, patient selection is extremely important, as not every patient can adapt to monovision," the study authors said. "Patients selecting monovision should also be aware that the reliance on one eye for distance vision makes an enhancement procedure more likely than if bilateral distance vision is chosen."

source: OSN Supersite

Leading Technology Introduced at Atlantic Laser Vision Center in New Jersey

LASIK eye surgery is one of the most commonly performed elective surgical procedures in the United States. With approximately 1.4 million LASIK procedures performed each year, the demand for the procedure has continued to increase. With that demand comes the need for continued advancements in technologies and equipment in laser vision correction.

Dr. Daniel BGoldberg, Director of Refractive/LASIK Surgery, at The Atlantic Laser Vision Center in Little Silver, NJ has a long-standing commitment to providing the most advanced technology for all his procedures, and that’s a great asset for potential patients.

The Atlantic Laser Center uses the WaveScan Wavefront analyzer which can more accurately customize Excimer laser treatments. The WaveScan is estimated to be 25X more accurate than measurements with lenses used in eyeglasses and contact lenses. Dr. Goldberg states that “the results with customized LASIK have elevated the quality of results, and the results with all-laser Femtosecond laser flaps have elevated both the safety and the quality of results. We have reached a new level in LASIK.”

source: WebWire Press Release

Alternative to LASIK Increases Momentum with U.S. Consumers

MONROVIA, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire-/ -- STAAR
Surgical Company (Nasdaq: STAA) announced today that
Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), a tiny, flexible
lens implanted in the eye to correct refractive errors,
continues to gain momentum with consumers in the U.S.
market. The Visian ICL is often referred to as the
"implantable contact lens" by patients and physicians.
According to preliminary data from the company, U.S.
sales of the Visian ICL grew 38% over the prior year
period. During the second quarter this accelerating rate
of Visian ICL growth contrasts sharply with an even more
significant decline in LASIK vision correction procedures.
According to a leading provider of LASIK vision
correction services, laser-based refractive procedures had
an approximate40% decline during the second quarter.
STAAR Surgical today also announced the launch of a newly
revamped and enhanced website,
http://www.visianinfo.com, designed to help consumers
more clearly understand the benefits of the Visian ICL.

source: PR Newswire

Pediatric LASIK safe, effective, stable over 10 years

HONG KONG LASIK in children was shown to be safe, effective and fairly stable over 10 years of follow-up in a long-term study presented here.

"LASIK in children has the same efficacy, predictability and safety margin of others. Of course, your nomogram should be changed depending on the condition of the other eye," Osama Ibrahim, MD, said at the World Ophthalmology Congress. Dr. Ibrahim said he has been performing surgical refractive procedures on pediatric patients since the introduction of refractive keratometry and has completed more than 800 LASIK cases to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

In the study he presented, Dr. Ibrahim showed safety, efficacy and stability data for 264 eyes of 264 patients who all had 10-year follow-up data.

source: OSN Supersite

New Study On Costs of LASIK Surgery vs. Lifelong Contact Lens Costs

/24-7PressRelease/ - OCEANSIDE, CA, June 15, 2008 - If you wear contacts or glasses and have considered LASIK Surgery but are concerned about the cost, think about this - LASIK will pay for itself in about three years.

How could that be? Consider that LASIK is a one-time fee, while glasses and contact lenses require a lifetime commitment.

A doctor's visit to examine your eyes every two years is the recommended guideline for people who wear glasses. If your prescription has changed, you will need new glasses with lenses and frames. Even if you're fortunate not to need a stronger prescription, you may still want new frames to update your appearance. In addition, some people have more than one pair of glasses just in case one gets broken or misplaced. And let's face it, glasses, especially designer frames, are increasingly expensive and usually not covered by your health care plan.

source: 24-7 pressrelease

STAAR Surgical's LASIK Alternative Expands U.S. Market Gains

MONROVIA, Calif., June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- STAAR Surgical Company (Nasdaq: STAA), a leading
developer, manufacture and marketer of minimally invasive
ophthalmic products, today announced that Visian ICL(TM)
(Implantable Collamer Lens) sales in the U.S. for the second
quarter have already exceeded the total sales for both the
first quarter of 2008 and the second quarter of 2007. The
company also announced the launch of its first viral
marketing initiative, a national consumer video competition,
"BEYOND LASIK - the Visian ICL(TM)," which will
begin with local contests driven by leading Visian ICL
surgeons throughout the U.S.

"The Visian ICL continues to expand its U.S. market
presence," said Barry G. Caldwell, President and CEO of
STAAR Surgical. "We have seen several factors contribute
to the Visian ICL's strong sales growth including new
media attention to the Visian ICL as an alternative for
LASIK, additional consumer awareness that not all
potential refractive patients are candidates for LASIK
and the Visian ICL Growth Program(TM) for
physicians and practice refractive administrators.

source: PR Newswire

Soldiers Receive Free Memorial Day Lasik Surgery Before Going to Iraq

BERGENFIELD, N.J., May 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two-dozen members of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment yesterday captured the offices of Dello Russo LaserVision, getting ready for their upcoming deployment in Iraq. Instead of shooting targets with blurry eyes, they were undergoing a Lasik procedure that allows them to have 20/20 vision within an hour.

Drs. Joseph and Jeffery Dello Russo marked the 3rd time in what became an annual celebration of patriotism, providing free corrective eye surgeries to members of the U.S. military before they go to their missions overseas.

The Dello Russos have completed another round of Free Lasik surgeries in their Manhattan location, helping another dozen of soldiers to get rid of their eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some of them have been waiting for years to get this treatment, but were not able to afford it before receiving bonuses following their return from Iraq.

source: PR Newswire

Global Laser Vision Surpasses 1,000 i-LASIK (iLASIK)

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 -- Global Laser Vision Medical Centers, the premier center for Laser Vision Correction in San Diego and Orange County, has now treated over 1,000 vision correction patients with advanced i-LASIK, also known as Intralase or All Laser Lasik.

The IntraLase FS (femtosecond) replaces the older technology of using a hand-held microkeratome with a blade to create a corneal flap, in the first step of LASIK. The computer-guided, ultrafast laser reduces the most severe, sight-threatening LASIK complications related to the use of microkeratomes.

Since its establishment in June 2000, Global Laser Vision Medical has remained a leader and at the forefront of LASIK technologies, with over 50,000 surgeries performed by our doctors. In striving to offer their patients the state-of-the-art vision technology in Southern California, the surgeons of Global Laser Vision have become experts in the use of advanced i-LASIK, an instrument that has even been fully accepted by NASA and the military for their personnel.

source: PR WEB

Presby-LASIK may be better option than multifocal IOLs, study shows

PARIS — Both multifocal IOLs and presby-LASIK are viable solutions for presbyopia correction, but the latter has a greater range of visual acuity at different distances, according to a study presented here.

"Presbyopic LASIK using the Gaussian ablation type, which means a +1.7 D, 3-mm optical zone, slightly decentered 1 mm inferiorly and nasally, is able to provide an acceptable level of distance vision, on average 20/25 to 20/20 and up to 20/18 in some cases, along with an acceptable or even very good level of near and intermediate vision," Michael Assouline, MD, said at the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology.

In comparison, multifocal IOLs have shown less satisfactory visual performance.

source: OSN Supersite

Advanced Medical Optics Receives FDA Clearance For iFS(TM) Advanced Femtosecond Laser

New 5th Generation Laser Essential Part of iLASIK(TM) Technology Suite

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 14, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) (NYSE: EYE), a global leader in ophthalmic surgical devices and eye care products, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the iFS(TM) Advanced Femtosecond Laser.

Capable of creating a corneal flap during the LASIK procedure in less than 10 seconds, the iFS(TM) Advanced Femtosecond Laser's unique inverted bevel-in side cut angle is designed to provide a virtually effortless flap lift, increase post-operative flap adhesion and enhance the biomechanical stability of the post-LASIK cornea. With full customization capabilities, it also produces an elliptical flap to enhance surgical options and includes IntraLase-Enabled Keratoplasty (IEK).

source: Advanced Medical Optics

Experts urge clearer warnings about Lasik risks

A panel of medical advisers — mostly eye doctors wearing glasses — listened to tales of woe and wonder on April 25 from people who sought to get rid of their specs through Lasik surgery.

What was clear by day's end: The vast majority of people undergoing laser eye surgery benefit and are happy, but a small fraction, perhaps fewer than 1 percent, suffer serious, life-changing side effects: worse vision, painful dry eye, glare, inability to drive at night.

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration heard about a dozen of those stories April 25 — including a father reading his son's suicide note — and then concluded that today's warnings for would-be Lasik recipients should be made more clear.

source: Monterey Herald

Los Angeles Laser Vision Correction Quality of Life Survey Reviewed By FDA

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 99% of patients reported their quality of life to be as expected or better after laser vision correction surgery, even though 2% report complications that are frequently or always problematic, according to a national patient survey conducted in conjunction with Los Angeles refractive surgeon Dr. Andrew Caster for the nonprofit Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance.

Preliminary results of the patient survey were presented to the US Food and Drug Administration during a special hearing last week. Dr. Caster was one of six doctors throughout the US that surveyed 1,800 vision correction patients. This confidential survey was collected and independently quantified by the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance.

"This survey has told us, not surprisingly, that the quality of life for the vast majority of patients was to be as expected or better after laser vision correction surgery,” said Dr. Caster. “Even patients who reported complications indicated that they would have the surgery again.”

source: Business Wire

Federal panel seeks clearer warnings on Lasik vision-correction surgery

WASHINGTON - In fury and despair, patients harmed by Lasik eye surgery told federal health advisers Friday of severe eye pain, blurred vision and even a son's suicide. The advisers recommended that the government warn more clearly about the risks of the hugely popular operations.

About 700,000 Americans a year undergo the elective laser surgery. Like golf star and famed Lasik recipient Tiger Woods, they're hoping to throw away their glasses, just as the ads say.

And while the vast majority benefit - most see 20-20 or even better - about one in four people who seeks Lasik is not a good candidate.

source: CBC News

As Economy Slows, So Do Laser Eye Surgeries

Call it the Lasik indicator. With the weak economy forcing consumers to cut back on discretionary spending, the number of laser vision-correction surgeries has been falling — as it did during the last recession.

More than 800,000 Americans underwent Lasik surgery in 2007, a slight increase from 2006. But the numbers started slumping along with the economy in the second half of last year. And industry analysts are now predicting a Lasik recession.

“We’re forecasting a 17 percent drop for 2008,” said David Harmon, president of Market Scope, an eye surgery market research house.

source: BlueRidgeNow.com

Allegretto Wave System Expands the Boundaries of Candidacy for Lasik

HOUSTON, TX--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 8, 2008 -- As a result of eight years of experience with the Allegretto Excimer Laser Systems, doctors at the International EyeCare Laser Center in Houston have found a dramatic increase in the number of candidates eligible for lasik surgery.

"Not all lasik centers apply the same methods," says Dr. Charles R. Moore, Founder and Medical Director of International EyeCare Laser Center. "Because of our experience with the WaveLight Allegretto system we have a better probability of being able to perform lasik on even the most unlikely candidates."

International EyeCare Laser Center is the only private practice in Houston exclusively dedicated to laser vision correction and uses the WaveLight Allegretto Excimer Laser System, the fastest and most precise laser vision correction treatment available.

source: Yahoo Finance

ASCRS To Participate In and Co-Fund Study on Post-LASIK Quality of Life with U.S. Food and Drug Administration

CHICAGO - (Business Wire) The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) today announced that it will participate in a post-LASIK quality of life study with the Joint LASIK Study Task Force, which includes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Eye Institute (NEI), ASCRS and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. ASCRS also announced that the ASCRS Foundation has committed funds to support this effort.

The FDA reaffirms that LASIK is both safe and effective. The Joint LASIK Study Task Force now will examine LASIK’S impact on the quality of patients’ daily lives. Simply defined, quality of life refers to a patient’s ability to perform the activities of daily living, everything from driving, daily routine, family life, career and sports performance, to personal appearance, after LASIK. While the FDA reports that nearly all patients are satisfied with their procedure, the study will seek to qualify LASIK’s benefits and provide greater understanding of the very few patients whose expectations are not met with the procedure, with the goal of identifying ways to enhance patient care.

source: ASCRS.org

Owner of Renton laser eye surgery center sought

LEVI PULKKINEN

State health officials are investigating the owner of a Renton laser eye surgery center after he unexpectedly left town and closed his business more than a month ago.

Dr. Christopher Phillips, owner of Lomas Eye Care Center, shut the doors on his clinic Feb. 29 after telling staff members that they were no longer needed, health officials and former Lomas employees said.

Now, the state Health Department is investigating Phillips after complaints that he canceled appointments without notifying patients and failed to forward medical information to other providers.

Founded by Dr. Richard Lomas, the business, near Valley Medical Center, was one of a few centers in the Seattle area providing laser eye surgery.

source: seattlepi.com

Selecting a Laser Eye Surgeon: Does Experience Matter?

LASIK is one of the most successful medical procedures practiced today, with over 95 % of patients reporting satisfaction with their LASIK results. This is largely because the variables of the LASIK procedure deal largely with optics, one of the most exact sciences. In fact, because of the exactitude of optics, many of the steps in the LASIK operation are becoming completely automated. So, to what extent does experience matter in LASIK surgery?

The Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC) is a subdivision of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). Its stated purpose is to provide patients with accurate, accessible information about laser eye surgery and other refractive surgeries and to promote discussion between patients and physicians.

The ESEC lists experience as one of the key factors in selecting a laser eye surgeon, although it notes that the number of procedures performed and the length of time practicing are only two variables among many to consider.

source: Best Syndication