New Laser EyeSee Clearer with your new Eyes

The number of laser eye surgery procedures conducted by publicly traded LCA-Vision dropped 38 percent in the second quarter from a year ago — a reflection of industrywide troubles. University of Missouri-St. Louis professor Stephen Moehrle said that in a faltering economy, consumers are more likely to choose glasses or contacts instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for Lasik eye surgery. Cincinnati-based LCA-Vision has recently had layoffs, a salary freeze and large cuts to its advertising and marketing budgets because of the economic downturn. According to research firm Market Scope, vision correction procedures peaked in 2000 at about 1.4 million and are expected to decline 17 percent this year from last year’s 1.3 million.