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

To: Bajasurfer who wrote (794)	2/3/1999 12:55:00 PM
From: grannylu	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1754

I'm posting here, as well as on The Fool. Is anyone concerned aboutn Sunrise Tech- SNRS- posing a threat to Visex? It looks like they'll be approved by the FDA sooner or later and are a very solvent company. I realize that Visex has a head start- but what does this all mean? It could mean trouble for our wonderful Visex, but I certainly don't want to panic---I'd like some opinions on this.

To: Bajasurfer who wrote (794)	2/8/1999 12:00:00 PM
From: capitalistbeatnik	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1754

More good news from the Yahoo thread: Monday February 8, 8:16 am Eastern Time Company Press Release Omega Health Systems Announces New Initiative to Expand Laser Vision Correction MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 1999--Omega Health Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:OHSI - news) today announced a change in strategic focus that will include a major new initiative to expand its laser vision correction capabilities. During the first half of 1999, the Company plans to have excimer laser technology available on-site in all of its 22 markets across the country. Through either fixed-site or shared-site lasers, patients will have on-site access to laser vision correction services by surgeons affiliated with Omega. Fixed-site lasers will be placed in Omega's highest volume locations, and a mobile program utilizing shared-site lasers will service its lower volume locations. Omega has over three years experience in operating similar mobile surgical programs in a number of its markets. In connection with this new initiative, Omega has agreed to acquire 12 VISX STAR S2(TM) excimer lasers from VISX(TM), Inc. VISX, Inc. is the U.S. market leader among manufacturers of excimer lasers for ophthalmic use. Its VISX STAR S2 Excimer Laser System is currently the only excimer laser in the U.S. market approved by the FDA to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Laser vision correction procedures accounted for over 13% of the total surgical procedures performed in 1998 by surgeons affiliated with Omega. These procedures represent one of the fastest growing areas in eye care in the nation and at Omega. Surgeons affiliated with Omega performed 4,925 refractive procedures in 1998, compared with 2,453 procedures in 1997. This significant growth is continuing, with a current run-rate of over 7,000 procedures for 1999 based on the volume from the two previous months. The Company believes that this new initiative, including improved laser access and a coordinated marketing program, will cause this growth to accelerate. ''This new initiative will eliminate facility fees paid to outside third parties and allow us to customize and market our own on-site laser program,'' commented Thomas P. Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Omega Health Systems, Inc. ''Approximately two-thirds of patients who are candidates for this surgical procedure are currently in the care of optometrists, making laser vision correction an ideal application for Omega's co-management model. In addition, we believe that there are significant advantages to launching this initiative through our established national network of eye care centers. We can efficiently leverage our resources with the collective purchasing power of multiple markets, providing the Company access to laser technology on a more cost-effective basis. There are also clinical benefits to collaboration, as it creates opportunities for Omega doctors around the country to share case information with their peers. Our model for this initiative also includes continuing education programs for our affiliated doctors and their patients.'' Lewis concluded, ''We believe that Omega has the right focus and expertise to deal with the increasing pace of change in the marketing and delivery of healthcare. We are excited about our role as a leading provider of laser vision correction services and remain confident that our co-management model will continue to offer exceptional value to doctors, to patients and to our shareholders.'' Omega Health Systems is a multifaceted eye care company that provides a broad range of services to ophthalmologists and optometrists to assist in the integration of primary, medical and surgical eye care. The Company emphasizes cooperative professional relationships between optometrists and ophthalmologists in the formation of integrated eye care networks and co-management of patient care.