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FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15[d] of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
DATE OF REPORT [Date of earliest event reported]: March 11, 1998
LASER VISION CENTERS, INC.
[Exact name of Issuer as specified in its charter]
Delaware 33-33843 43-153003
[State or other [Commission [IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number] Identification
incorporation] Number]
540 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 200
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
[Address of Principal Executive Offices]
Issuer's telephone number: [314] 434-6900
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FORM 8-K
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On March 11, 1998, the Company was served with a subpoena by the United
States Department of Justice. The Company understands that the subpoena is part
of an industry-wide investigation regarding the international card, compact
disc software that enables excimer lasers to be used to perform laser eye
surgeries for higher myopia cases (greater than - 6.0 diopters) than were
initially approved by the FDA. The FDA approved use of excimer lasers for
higher myopia cases in January, 1998. The Company intends to cooperate fully
with the Department of Justice.
On March 16, 1998, the Company issued a press release pertaining to the
subpoena. A copy of that press release is attached hereto as an exhibit.
ITEM 7(c). LIST OF EXHIBITS FILED
99.1 Press Release
2
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FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
LASER VISION CENTERS, INC.
BY: /s/ John J. Klobnak
----------------------------
John J. Klobnak
Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 17, 1998
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EXHIBIT 99.1
NEWS RELEASE [ LOGO OF LASER VISION CENTERS, INC. ]
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - March 16, 1998 - Laser Vision Centers, Inc. (Nasdaq
Symbol: LVCI) announced today that it has been served with a subpoena issued by
the United States Department of Justice.
Laser Vision understands that the subpoena is part of an industry-wide
investigation into the so-called "international card", software that enabled
the excimer lasers to be used to perform laser eye surgeries for higher myopia
cases (greater than -6.0 diopters) than what was initially approved by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA ultimately did approve use of an
excimer laser for higher myopia cases in January, 1998.
Many ophthalmologists have taken the position that FDA restrictions on
physicians' use of laser equipment through software control, rather than the
traditional means of labeling, deny physicians the flexibility to treat
individual patients as the physician deems medically necessary, and represent
an unwarranted intrusion upon physicians' rights to practice medicine
according to their best medical judgment.
The subpoena requests that Laser Vision produce several specified categories of
documents. Laser Vision intends to cooperate fully.
Laser Vision Centers, Inc. is the world's largest provider of excimer laser
access with locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Greece. Through its unique mobile delivery
systems, Laser Vision Centers provides ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) in small
and medium sized markets, access to the excimer laser. The excimer laser is a
device which allows eye surgeons to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism
with an outpatient procedure which usually lasts less than one minute.
Except for historical information, statements relating to the Company's plan,
objectives and future performance are forward looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements are based on management's current expectations. Because of various
risks and uncertainties, actual strategies and results in future periods may
differ materially from those currently expected. Additional discussion of
factors affecting the Company's business is contained in the Company's most
recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Contact: John Stiles
314-434-6900
[email protected]
