Lasik Vision Reports Q1 1999 Procedure Volumes - Total Centre Volume Increased to 5,092 from 593 for First Quarter 1999
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--Lasik Vision Corporation (VSE: LSK)
announced today that 5,092 paid laser procedures were performed at
the Company's refractive centres during the first quarter of 1999
that ended March 31, 1999. These procedures represent an 858
percent increase from the 593 for the same period in 1998. The
5,092 procedures performed in the first quarter of 1999 represent
a 137 percent increase from the 3,720 procedures performed in the
fourth quarter of 1998.
The more than 5,000 procedures in the first quarter of 1999 were
performed at six Lasik Vision clinics in Canada. Of the six Lasik
Vision refractive centres operating in the first quarter of 1999,
three were opened during the first quarter. In addition to the
Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary clinics that were already in
operation, Lasik Vision opened centres in Ottawa on January 18,
1999, in Montreal on February 8, 1999 and in Halifax on March 22,
1999.
"We're pleased with the growth in volume of procedures at our
Canadian clinics. We have gained dominant market share in many of
our key Canadian locations, which demonstrates that our business
strategies are working. As one of North America's fastest growing
laser vision correction companies, Lasik Vision expects to gain
further market share in Canada and expand in the U.S. during the
second quarter of 1999," said Michael Henderson, President and
CEO, Lasik Vision Corporation.
Henderson also issued an alert that the Company plans to continue
to expense costs related to opening new clinics during Lasik
Vision's rapid expansion period. As a result, the Company
anticipates operating losses in the first and second quarters of
1999.
"Most emerging companies in the laser eye surgery industry have
incurred losses during their early years of operation. We expect
that our high volumes, rapid expansion and growing market share in
Canada and the U.S. will enable Lasik Vision to achieve
profitability in less than the average time it has taken for new
companies in this industry," said Henderson.
Lasik Vision centres offer vision correction procedures, including
PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser-In-Situ
Keratomileusis), to correct near- and far-sightedness and
astigmatism with advanced fourth generation excimer lasers and
state-of-the-art topography and microkeratome equipment. With
both procedures, a surgeon uses a precise, computer controlled
excimer laser to gently reshape the surface of the patient's
cornea with a cool beam of ultraviolet light.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Lasik Vision Corporation is Canada's
largest operating laser vision correction company. Lasik Vision
has already treated tens of thousands of patients in Canada at its
centres located in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa,
Halifax, Quebec City, Windsor and Winnipeg. With some of the
most experienced specialists in North America, Lasik Vision's
goal is to provide the best quality patient care and results at
the most affordable price for patients. Additional information
on the Company may be obtained on the world wide web at
www.lasik-vision.com.
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