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

To: timbur who wrote (1547)	1/24/2000 10:20:00 AM
From: J. Plesha	Respond to of 1754

OT - Yes as far as I can tell it does. I just watched the procedure and my wife chose to pay more for an experienced doctor than go through our HMO and get it done. $2000 an eye sounds right for a good doctor. Joe P.

To: timbur who wrote (1547)	1/24/2000 10:38:00 AM
From: MGV	Respond to of 1754

I think your message is relevant. It supports VISX's position on two key points. First, the importance of brand building and second, how pricing trends are affecting demand over the short term.

To: timbur who wrote (1547)	1/24/2000 10:56:00 AM
From: Sun Tzu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1754

Tim, I'd say skill matters a lot. When I needed an operation for my shoulder, I asked the head of kinesiology department of my school for a good surgeon. The surgeon had a 14 month line up (I managed to get ahead of line). You may also want to check out going to Canada. They have some very good doctors there and it costs considerably less. Either way, you will have to research the doc. Speaking of Canada, they use a Chiron laser in some locations. Does anyone know what that is and who makes it? Also, why is it that operations done with VISX laser there will not have to foot the royalties to VISX (or so I've heard). ST

To: timbur who wrote (1547)	1/24/2000 11:35:00 AM
From: Evolution	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1754

I think most potential patients are unaware of the laser brand. They only respond to an ad, and a practitioner's sales pitch. Customers are not demanding VISX, it's only on the doctor's choice. When my wife had it made last year, she and I had no idea about differences in laser technology. She was willing to go because a friend was satisfied with this clinic, and that was the element that helped overcome the fear threshold (money is not really the main issue for such an operation). I definitely think that VISX should target an ad campaign to patients: VISX inside!