Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : VISX -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jim Mac who wrote (1293)	8/28/1999 11:45:00 AM
From: Bruce Byall	Respond to of 1754

I had my LASIK 20 months ago. I am very very happy with the result. I have recommended to many friends who have now been corrected and are telling other friends. I was referred by the daughter of an Ophthalmologist, who suggested the procedure for his daughter after watching the success rate for 2 years. You said: " Consumer "demand" for LASIK is created by MD's who push it. People don't wake up one day and say, "Gee, I want a flap cut on my cornea!" Of course not...... From my experience, people want a glasses/contacts free life. To really be able to WAKE UP AND SEE ! ! ! To be able to go out and live and enjoy life without the limitations of contacts and glasses. After my operation, I invested in VISX, and made back over 5 x what the operation cost...... I do continue to follow the new tech in this field. Procedures are improving and prices are coming down.......... Perhaps it will eventually even get covered by insurance.

To: Jim Mac who wrote (1293)	8/28/1999 12:50:00 PM
From: Carmine Cammarosano	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1754

"And if they are convinced by the medical professionals that PRK is inferior to LASIK (which is simply not true), than this large segment is likely to do nothing. I believe this industry will top out far below its potential if LASIK continues to be pushed for this very reason. I've heard dozens of people who are good candidates express severe reservations about letting a doctor cut a flap...it makes them very uneasy, especially when they know it's unnecessary." Jim, patients who have had PRK on one eye are asking to have LASIK on the other eye because they meet patients in the waiting room who have had LASIK and find out that they healed faster and with less pain...they come in saying I want that other "laser surgery"...although, you and I know it is the same laser that did both procedures...PRK works, but patients want LASIK, i.e. much more comfortable...Jim, the demand is coming from the patients and not MDs...VISX wins either way...

To: Jim Mac who wrote (1293)	8/28/1999 1:39:00 PM
From: Carmine Cammarosano	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1754

"I'm sorry, but the fact is that surgeons love to cut, and I've read and heard many docs say how they love to do LASIK, how fun it is. It certainly beats being a simple pedal-pusher, which an optometrist could do, and can currently do in Oklahoma as I understand it." Jim, I would love to do just PRK because it is a lot easier for me, but again, patients are coming in asking for LASIK...Jim, you are showing your ignorance...pedal-pusher? PRK creates a central defect that needs to be managed...do your homework...In Oklahoma, a Yag-capsulotomy can be done by an OD, not PRK and not any other laser procedure...