To all:
Laser Vision Centers Inc. makes announcement
BusinessWire, Monday, March 16, 1998 at 16:17
ST. LOUIS--(BW HealthWire)--March 16, 1998--Laser Vision
Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq Symbol: LVCI) announced today that it has been
served with a subpoena issued by the United States Department of
Justice.
Laser Vision understands that the subpoena is part of an
industry-wide investigation into the so-called "international card",
software that enabled the excimer lasers to be used to perform laser
eye surgeries for higher myopia cases (greater than -6.0 diopters)
than what was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). The FDA ultimately did approve use of an excimer laser for
higher myopia cases in January, 1998.
Many ophthalmologists have taken the position that FDA
restrictions on physicians' use of laser equipment through software
control, rather than the traditional means of labeling, deny
physicians the flexibility to treat individual patients as the
physician deems medically necessary, and represent an unwarranted
intrusion upon physicians' rights to practice medicine according to
their best medical judgment.
The subpoena requests that Laser Vision produce several specified
categories of documents. Laser Vision intends to cooperate fully.
Laser Vision Centers, Inc. is the world's largest provider of
excimer laser access with locations in the United States, Canada, the
United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Greece. Through its
unique mobile delivery systems, Laser Vision Centers provides
ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) in small and medium sized markets ,
access to the excimer laser. The excimer laser is a device which
allows eye surgeons to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism with
an outpatient procedure which usually lasts less than one minute.
Except for historical information, statements relating to the
Company's plan, objectives and future performance are forward looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's
current expectations. Because of various risks and uncertainties,
actual strategies and results in future periods may differ materially
from those currently expected. Additional discussion of factors
affecting the Company's business is contained in the Company's most
recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Laser Vision Centers Inc., St. Louis
John Stiles, 314-434-6900
jstiles@laservision.com
laservision.com |
