LCAV (MM)

CINCINNATI, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LCA-Vision Inc. (NASDAQ: LCAV), a leading provider of laser vision correction services under the LasikPlus^® brand, today reported that 11,510 procedures were performed during the third quarter of 2012, compared with 12,444 procedures performed during the third quarter of 2011. 

"We believe that third quarter procedure volume was affected  by negative economic press surrounding the presidential campaigns, which caused consumers to be cautious, as well as factors specific to our direct-to-consumer marketing model. Among these were the high level of competition for consumer attention from advertising related to the November elections and increased use of radio advertising by competitors in LasikPlus^® markets," said LCA-Vision Chief Operating Officer David L. Thomas. "We are aggressively executing on our strategy to support patient acquisition through actions to optimize our messaging and methods of delivery that account for current market conditions, as well as reflect changes in consumer behavior. We also are taking action to augment our direct-to-consumer model by building a referral source co-management network, which now includes more than 100 optometrists.

"Of note, the decline in procedure volume versus the prior year follows four consecutive quarters of market share gains and growth in total procedures, and seven consecutive quarters of growth in same-store procedures. Considering the past two years in the aggregate, we still have outperformed the industry, even with our direct-to-consumer model that is known to underperform other industry models in challenging economic times," he added.

LCA-Vision will release third quarter 2012 financial results prior to the market open on Tuesday, October 30, 2012, with a conference call and webcast to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.

To access the conference call, dial 866-322-1352 (within the United States and Canada), or 706-643-6246 (international callers). The webcast will be available at the investor relations section of LCA-Vision's website. A replay of the call and webcast will begin approximately two hours after the live call has ended. To access the replay, dial 855-859-2056 (within the United States and Canada), or 404-537-3406 (international callers) and enter the conference ID number: 35324861.

About LCA-Vision Inc./LasikPlus^®

LCA-Vision Inc., a leading provider of laser vision correction services under the LasikPlus^® brand, operates 53 LasikPlus^® fixed-site laser vision correction centers in 26 states and 41 markets in the United States. Additional company information is available at www.lca-vision.com and www.lasikplus.com.

Earning Trust Every Moment; Transforming Lives Every Day.

For Additional Information

SOURCE LCA-Vision Inc.