Major increases seen in sales, use of laser surgical equipment, procedures

Health Industry Today, Jan, 2000

Growing demand for laser vision correction procedures generated patient fees of $2.1 billion in 1999, and in 2000 1.5 million refractive surgical procedures are expected, a 58% increase over 1999 figures.

Market Scope, St. Louis, says in its Comprehensive Report on the U.S. Refractive Market, that strong growth for the procedures and related sales of vision correcting equipment will continue through 2005.

"Despite continuing healthy growth in procedures, sales of excimer laser grew faster than procedures during the last half of 1999," said Dave Harmon, president of Market Scope. "The trend has placed pressure on laser center companies and individual surgeons to maintain procedure volume."

Market Scope says refractive surgery will become increasingly competitive.

The report is available from Market Scope at 314-835-0606.

* www.mktsc.com