LAKE WORTH, Fla., Aug. 2, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Lasik Vision Institute, one of the nation's leading laser vision surgery providers with more than 30 LASIK centers in 22 states, is launching a patient education campaign as it opens new facilities in California and Texas.
Live demonstrations of LASIK procedures and free seminars led by the surgeons performing them are among the activities planned for members of the public and other guests who attend The Lasik Vision Institute grand openings throughout August in San Diego, Houston and San Antonio. The campaign is designed to dispel the myths about LASIK.
"LASIK has grown in popularity in recent years, yet the procedure remains a mystery to many people who are considering giving up their use of eyeglasses," said Jim Usdan, The Lasik Vision Institute president and CEO. "As The Lasik Vision Institute expands to new markets, we want to showcase some of the world's most experienced surgeons by letting them demonstrate how simple, fast and effective LASIK is, thereby reducing the fear factor for many prospective patients."
"We encourage the public to meet our experienced surgeons and ask questions so they can better understand what LASIK involves and determine if it's right for them," said Amy White, The Lasik Vision Institute national operations director. "What better time than the celebration of our grand openings to provide that opportunity."
A live video feed of surgeries will be shown on a viewing screen to guests comfortably seated in waiting areas just down the hall from the operating room. Afterwards, the surgeons will present a free LASIK seminar and answer questions from the audience.
"Operating rooms at many of our centers nationwide have observation windows that enable the viewing of LASIK surgeries for those patients who consent," added White. "However, because the operating rooms at the new centers do not, we decided to provide the live video feed."
The Lasik Vision Institute grand openings are scheduled as follows (all times local):
-- Sat., Aug. 7, 2004, from 12 to 2 p.m.
3636 Nobel Drive, Suite 400
San Diego, CA.
-- Sat., Aug. 14, 2004, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
1800 Bering, Suite 200
Houston, TX.
-- Sat., Aug. 21, 2004, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
40 Northeast Loop 410, Suite 600
San Antonio, TX.
Leonard Newman, M.D. will perform the surgeries and conduct the informational seminar in San Diego while Bruce January, M.D. will perform the surgeries and conduct the informational seminars in Houston and San Antonio. Dr. Newman and Dr. January have each performed more than 20,000 LASIK procedures.
About The Lasik Vision Institute
The Lasik Vision Institute, founded in 1999 and operated by Vision Care Holdings, L.L.C., is one of the leading providers of laser surgery procedures in the U.S., conducting more than 100,000 procedures annually. Through its network of more than 30 centers across the country, The Lasik Vision Institute offers its patients reliable and affordable access to the benefits of laser eye surgery technology. The Lasik Vision Institute is staffed with some of the country's most experienced ophthalmologists.