Laser Centers of America, Inc., LCA-Vision's corporate predecessor, was formed in 1986. The company served as a professional management firm assisting hospitals and medical centers throughout the United States in managing their laser and minimally invasive surgery programs by providing cost-effective administration, education, equipment purchase, and clinical and marketing support.

Laser Centers of America continued to pioneer the multi-specialty laser surgery center business throughout the late 1980s, and by the mid-1990s, had implemented over 80 hospital-based multi-specialty surgery programs. Throughout this time, the company developed an expertise in managing and promoting new laser surgery techniques and technologies.

In 1991, shortly after the first laser to perform laser vision correction procedures in Canada was approved, LCA-Vision began applying its laser operating expertise to the field of refractive eye surgery, particularly to Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), a procedure in which lasers are used to correct Nearsightedness and Other Eye Conditions. PRK is an outpatient procedure performed with an Excimer Laser to treat nearsightedness and other eye conditions.

In 1995, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PRK technology in the United States. In December of 1995, LCA-Vision opened its first Laser Vision Correction center in the United States at its corporate headquarters in Cincinnati.

In January of 1996, shares of LCA-Vision common stock began trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol LCAV. Throughout 1996, LCA-Vision expanded its number of laser vision correction centers to 15, quickly becoming one of the largest operators of fixed-site laser vision correction centers in the United States. The company also continued to provide laser and minimally invasive surgery programs for hospitals and medical centers.

In 1997, the FDA approved the technology for a more advanced outpatient procedure for laser vision correction Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), to treat nearsightedness, also using an excimer laser. Within one year of its FDA approval, LASIK quickly outpaced PRK as the preferred procedure for laser vision correction surgery.

Throughout 1997, consumer demand for laser vision correction grew rapidly in the United States due to broader market acceptance, improved technology and expanded treatment options. In August of 1997, LCA-Vision completed its first major acquisition through the purchase of Summit Technology's laser vision correction centers, Refractive Centers International, Inc. (RCII). The transaction immediately positioned LCA-Vision with more laser vision correction centers than its competitors and gave the company a larger footprint. By the end of 1997, LCA-Vision began to phase out its multi-specialty laser surgery center business to focus exclusively on laser vision correction surgery.

In July of 1999, LCA-Vision introduced the "LasikPlus" name at its laser vision correction center in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to the initial success of the Baltimore LasikPlus vision center and in an effort to build consumer awareness of its laser vision correction centers and the procedure, LCA-Vision began to rename all if its facilities LasikPlus and also launched marketing and advertising campaigns through the use of radio, print media, direct mail and internet marketing.

As of March 31, 2008, LCA-Vision operated 76 LasikPlus vision centers located in 33 states and 59 markets in the United States and a joint venture in Canada.

LasikPlus Vision Center Openings

Quarterly Procedure Volume at LasikPlus Vision Centers

View an overview of LASIK as it relates to LasikPlus Vision Centers.