U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
[ X ]
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003.
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT.
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission file number0-27610
LCA-Vision Inc. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Delaware | 11-2882328 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | |
7840 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) | ||
(513) 792-9292 | ||
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [ X ]
No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in rule 12B-2 of the Securities Act of 1934).
Yes [ ]
No [X ]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 10,743,109 shares as of April 18, 2003.
#
LCA-Vision Inc.
INDEX
Facing Sheet
1
Index
2
Part I.
Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2003
and December 31, 2002
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three
Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2003 and 2002
5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
8
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
10
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
10
Part II.
Other Information
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
11
Item 2.
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
11
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
11
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
11
Item 5.
Other Information
11
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
11
Signatures
12
#
LCA-Vision Inc. | |||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||
(Dollars in thousands except per share data) | |||
| |||
Assets | March 31, 2003(1) | December 31, 2002 | |
Current Assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 21,182 | $ 18,298 | |
Accounts receivable, net | 769 | 393 | |
Receivable from vendor | 444 | 337 | |
Prepaid expenses, inventory and other | 908 | 1,462 | |
Total current assets | 23,303 | 20,490 | |
Property and Equipment | 37,776 | 37,301 | |
Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (20,424) | (18,868) | |
Property and equipment, net | 17,352 | 18,433 | |
Goodwill, net | 275 | 275 | |
Deferred compensation plan assets | 200 | 127 | |
Investment in unconsolidated businesses | 395 | 263 | |
Other assets, net | 430 | 408 | |
Total assets | $ 41,955 | $ 39,996 | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment | |||
Current liabilities | |||
Accounts payable | $ 2,686 | $ 3,855 | |
Accrued liabilities and other | 4,849 | 3,660 | |
Debt maturing in one year | 7 | 10 | |
Total current liabilities | 7,542 | 7,525 | |
Deferred compensation liability | 212 | 129 | |
Minority equity interest | 310 | 230 | |
| |||
Shareholders' investment |
| ||
Common stock ($0.001 par value; 13,110,306 and 13,110,306 shares and |
| ||
10,743,109 and 10,743,109 shares issued and outstanding, respectively) | 13 | 13 | |
Contributed capital | 91,474 | 91,474 | |
Warrants | 1,982 | 1,982 | |
Notes receivable from shareholders | (1,542) | (1,532) | |
Common stock in treasury, at cost (2,367,197 shares and 2,367,197 shares) | (15,462) | (15,462) | |
Accumulated deficit | (42,581) | (44,338) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | 7 | (25) | |
| |||
Total shareholders' investment | 33,891 | 32,112 | |
| |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' investment | $ 41,955 | $ 39,996 | |
(1) Unaudited | |||
The notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement. |
#
LCA-Vision Inc. | ||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||
(Dollars in thousands except per share data) | ||||
Three months ended March 31, | ||||
2003(1) | 2002(1) | |||
Revenues -- Laser refractive surgery | $ 19,982 | $ 18,808 | ||
Operating costs and expenses | ||||
Medical professional and license fees | 4,071 | 3,778 | ||
Direct costs of services | 7,774 | 7,514 | ||
General and administrative expenses | 2,018 | 2,162 | ||
Marketing and advertising | 2,975 | 3,104 | ||
Depreciation | 1,505 | 1,458 | ||
Special charges | - | (174) | ||
Operating income | 1,639 | 966 | ||
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated businesses | 147 | 117 | ||
Minority equity interest | (80) | (67) | ||
Interest expense | - | (2) | ||
Interest income | 36 | 137 | ||
Other income | 53 | - | ||
Income before taxes on income | 1,795 | 1,151 | ||
Income tax expense | 38 | - | ||
Net income | $ 1,757 | $ 1,151 | ||
Income per common share | ||||
Basic | $ 0.16 | $ 0.11 | ||
Diluted | $ 0.16 | $ 0.11 | ||
Weighted average shares outstanding | ||||
Basic | 10,743 | 10,957 | ||
Diluted | 10,744 | 10,965 | ||
(1) Unaudited | ||||
The notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement. |
#
LCA-Vision Inc. | |||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow | |||
(Dollars in thousands except per share data) | |||
| |||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
2003(1) | 2002(1) | ||
Cash flow from operating activities: | |||
Net income | $ 1,757 | $ 1,151 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | |||
Depreciation | 1,505 | 1,458 | |
Warrant amortization | - | 175 | |
Deferred Compensation | 82 | - | |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | (147) | (117) | |
Restructuring/Impairment provision | - | (174) | |
Changes in working capital: |
| ||
Accounts receivable | (376) | (598) | |
Receivable from vendor | (107) | (260) | |
Prepaid expenses, inventory and other | 554 | 617 | |
Accounts payable | (1,169) | 229 | |
Accrued liabilities and other | 1,197 | 427 | |
Net cash provided by operations | 3,296 | 2,908 | |
Cash flow from investing activities: | |||
Purchase of property and equipment | (475) | (302) | |
Deferred Compensation Plan | (72) | - | |
Loans to shareholders | (10) | (12) | |
Other, net | 133 | (181) | |
Net cash used in investing activities | (424) | (495) | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||
Principal payments of long-term notes, debt and capital lease obligations | (3) | (8) | |
Shares repurchased for treasury stock | - | (2,460) | |
Exercise of stock options | - | 121 | |
Distribution of minority equity investees | 15 | 33 | |
Net cash used by financing activities | 12 | (2,314) | |
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 2,884 | 99 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 18,298 | 16,609 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 21,182 | $ 16,708 | |
(1) Unaudited | |||
The notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement. |
#
LCA-Vision Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002
1.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
This filing includes condensed consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002; condensed consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002; and condensed consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. In the opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim period reported. We suggest that these financial statements be read together with the financial statements and notes included in our annual report in Form 10-K.
Business
We are a leading developer and operator of free-standing laser refractive surgery centers. Our laser refractive surgery centers provide the staff, facilities, equipment and support services for performing laser vision correction that employ state-of-the-art laser technologies to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The Company currently utilizes three primary excimer lasers: the Bausch & Lomb, VISX and Alcon. Substantially all of the revenues from our laser vision correction procedures are derived from our North American Centers.
Operating costs and expenses consist of:
•
Medical professional and license fees, including per-procedure fees for the ophthalmologist performing laser vision correction and the license fee per procedure paid to Bausch & Lomb, Alcon, and VISX
•
Direct costs of services, including center rent and utilities, equipment lease and maintenance costs, surgical supplies, center staff expense, costs related to other revenue, and all other costs associated with providing services in our centers
•
General and administrative associated with corporate overhead costs
•
Marketing and advertising costs
•
Depreciation of property and equipment recorded in the balance sheet
Consolidation Policy
We use two different methods to report our investments in our subsidiaries and other companies: consolidation and the equity method.
Consolidation
We use consolidation when we own a majority of the voting stock of the subsidiary. In addition, we are in compliance with EITF 97-2, for Professional Corporations. For a Professional Corporation in which LCA-Vision Inc. has a controlling financial interest through a contractual management arrangement, financial statements are consolidated. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of:
•
LCA-Vision Inc.
•
LCA-Vision (Canada) Inc. and Subsidiaries
•
The Baltimore Laser Sight Center, Ltd
•
Columbus Eye Associates, Inc. (effective September 1, 2002)
•
LasikPlus Medical Associates, Inc. (effective January 1, 2003)
•
LasikPlus Medical Associates, S.C. (effective March 1, 2003)
•
Lasik Insurance Company Ltd
Equity Method
We use the equity method to report investments in businesses where we hold 20% to 50% voting interest, giving us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies. Under the equity method we report:
•
our interest in the entity as an investment in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and
•
our percentage share of the earnings (losses) in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We own 43% of Silmalaseri Oy and 50% of both Cole LCA Vision LLC (through June 30, 2002) and Eyemed LCA Vision LLC and report our investments under the equity method.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of the businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Through December 31, 2002, we amortized goodwill using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life. The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” effective January 1, 2002. SFAS No. 142 discontinued the amortization of goodwill and requires companies to perform annual impairment test of goodwill. Application of the non-amortization provisions of the SFAS No. 142 resulted in a decrease in annual operating expenses of $76,000. The impairment tests of goodwill as of December 31, 2002, indicated that the Company currently has no goodwill impairment.
Use of Estimates
Management makes estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles. Certain estimates are particularly sensitive due to their significance to the financial statements and the possibility that future events may differ significantly from management’s expectations. These estimates and assumptions affect various matters including:
•
Allowance for doubtful accounts – patient financing
•
Enhancement accrual
•
Deferred income taxes – valuation allowance
•
Loss reserves – insurance captive
Per Share Data
Basic per share data is loss applicable to common shares divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted per share data is income applicable to common shares divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus the potential issuance of common shares if stock options or warrants were exercised or convertible into common stock.
Following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Three Months Ended | ||
March 31, | ||
2003 | 2002 | |
Basic earnings | ||
Net income…………………………………………………………. | $1,757 | $1,151 |
Weighted average shares outstanding……………………………... | 10,743 | 10,957 |
Basic earnings……………………………………………………… | $0.16 | $0.11 |
Diluted earnings | ||
Net income……………………………………………………….... | $1,757 | $1,151 |
Weighted average shares outstanding……………………………... | 10,743 | 10,957 |
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||
Stock options……………………………………………….... | 1 | 8 |
Warrants……………………………………………………... | -- | -- |
Weighted average common shares and potential dilutive shares...... | 10,744 | 10,965 |
Diluted earnings per share………………………………………..... | $0.16 | $0.11 |
Stock-Based Compensation
In December 2002, SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure," which amends SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," was issued. SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and requires more prominent and more frequent disclosures in the financial statements of the effects of stock-based compensation. The provisions of SFAS No. 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002.
We apply APB No. 25 and related interpretations utilizing the intrinsic value method in accounting for our stock option plans. We have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123. We recognize no compensation expense for our stock options granted to employees or directors. Compensation expense for options granted to non-employees in each of the two quarters ended March 31, 2002 and 2003 was immaterial. If we had elected to recognize compensation expense based on the fair value at the grant dates consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, net income and income per share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
Quarter ended March 31, | ||||
2003 | 2002 | |||
Net income | As reported | $1,757 | $1,151 | |
Pro forma | 1,537 | 649 | ||
Basic per share income | As reported | $0.16 | $0.11 | |
Pro forma | $0.14 | $0.06 | ||
Diluted per share loss | As reported | $0.16 | $0.11 | |
Pro forma | $0.14 | $0.06 |
Shareholders' Investment
No material changes from the Company’s most recent Form 10-K.
Segment Information
We operate in one segment: laser refractive surgery.
Commitments and Contingencies
None.
Internet
The Company’s website iswww.lasikplus.com. The Company makes available free of charge through a link provided at such website its Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K as well as any amendments thereto. Such reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. To obtain a copy of Form 10-K by mail, please send a request to Investor Relations at LCA-Vision Inc., 7840 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236.
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition Results of Operations.
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors. For a discussion of important factors that could affect our results, refer to the Overview and financial statement line item discussions set forth in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A").
"MD&A" is an analysis of our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and our financial condition as of March 31, 2003. It explains why our revenues and costs changed and our overall financial condition, among other matters.
#
Results of Operations - Revenues
Laser refractive surgery
In most locations, laser refractive surgery revenues are the global fees charged to our patients. Certain states prohibit us from practicing medicine, employing physicians to practice medicine on our behalf or employing optometrists to render optometry services on our behalf. Revenues and direct costs from centers in such states which are not consolidated do not include the medical professional fee component. Revenues in the first quarter of 2003 grew by over 6% from the first quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of improved price realization. The average price per procedure in the first quarter of 2003 was $1,173, an increase of approximately 10% from $1,069 in the first quarter of 2002. Management expects pricing to continue to increase for the balance of 2003.
The following table illustrates the volume of laser vision correction procedures performed at our centers.
2003 | 2002 | ||
Q1 | 17,028 | 17,592 | |
Q2 | - | 14,797 | |
Q3 | - | 12,511 | |
Q4 | - | 12,204 | |
Year | - | 57,104 |
Medical professional and license fees
Medical professional expenses increased by $505,000 from the first quarter of 2002 due to the consolidation of the professional corporations in 2003 and higher average revenues. License fees decreased $135,000 from the first quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of lower procedure volume.
Direct costs of services
Direct costs of services include the salary component of physician compensation, staffing, equipment, medical supplies, and facility costs of operating laser vision correction centers. These direct costs increased in the first quarter of 2003 by $259,000 compared to the first quarter of 2002, primarily due to an increase in laser rentals costs and insurance expense. Medical supplies decreased by $86,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from the first quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of lower procedure volumes. Exclusive of medical supplies, the average direct cost per center per month decreased to $66,576 in the first quarter of 2003 from $67,120 in the first quarter of 2002.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses decreased by $158,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from the first quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of the elimination of warrant compensation expense, among other factors.
Marketing and advertising expenses
Marketing and advertising expenses decreased by $130,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from the first quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of more efficient media buying.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $47,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from the first quarter of 2002 primarily as a result of the purchase of diagnostic and surgical equipment that previously had been leased.
Non-operating income and expenses
Investment income decreased $101,000 in the first quarter of 2003 from the first quarter of 2002, primarily as a result of lower interest rates on our invested cash.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense of $38,000 was recorded in the first quarter of 2003 due to foreign income tax liabilities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2003 was $3,296,000, which exceeded expenditures in investing activities, resulting in an increase in the first quarter in cash and cash equivalents of $2,884,000, or approximately 16%, from $18,298,000 as of December 31, 2002, to $21,182,000 as of March 31, 2003.
During the second quarter of 2000, the directors initiated a program to encourage additional direct stock ownership by senior management of the company. The Company offered loans to nine key managers and directors for the purpose of purchasing shares in the open market. Each loan is a personal obligation of the borrower, and is evidenced by a promissory note. The interest rate on the notes is prime less one and one-half percent. The notes have a maximum term of three years, and contain provisions for early repayment. A total of $1,541,000 has been loaned under this program.
As of March 31, 2003 we maintained a $10,000,000 revolving credit facility with The Provident Bank. In addition to the $10,000,000 of unused credit under this facility, the Company has a $10,000,000 line of credit for the purpose of funding acquisitions, subject to the consent of Provident Bank. Both of these credit arrangements expire June 30, 2003. It is our intent to renew these facilities for another 12 months on comparable terms.
Factors That May Affect Future Results and Market Price of Stock
For a detailed discussion of factors that may affect our future results, please refer to the Company's most recent Form 10-K. No material new risks have developed since the filing of this report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
The carrying values of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
We have historically had very low exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and as such, have not used derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency fluctuation risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have reviewed, as of a date within 90 days of this filing, the disclosure controls and procedures that ensure that information relating to the Company required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely and proper manner. Based upon this review, the Company believes that there are adequate controls and procedures in place. There are no significant changes in the controls or other factors that could affect the controls after the date of the evaluation.
#
Part II.
Other Information
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
None
Item 2.
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities.
None
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None
Item 5.
Other Information.
None
Item 6.
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a)
Exhibits
None
(b)
Reports on Form 8-K
1)
Form 8-K, dated March 3, 2003, containing a press release announcing the Company’s introduction of the latest breakthrough in laser vision correction technology.
2)
Form 8-K, dated March 17, 2003, containing a press release announcing the appointment of Craig Joffe as senior vice president and general counsel.
#
Signatures
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
LCA-VISION INC.
May 7, 2003
/s/ Stephen N. Joffe
Stephen N. Joffe
Chairman and CEO
May 7, 2003
/s/ Alan Buckey
Alan Buckey
Chief Financial Officer
#
CERTIFICATIONS
Chief Executive Officer
I, Stephen N. Joffe, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of LCA-Vision Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c)
presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
May 7, 2003
/s/ Stephen N. Joffe
Stephen N. Joffe
#
Chief Financial Officer
I, Alan Buckey, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of LCA-Vision Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;
b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
c)
presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
1.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a)
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
1.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
May 7, 2003
/s/ Alan Buckey
Alan Buckey
#
Exhibit 99
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of LCA-Vision Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Stephen N. Joffe, Chief Executive Officer, and Alan Buckey, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of our knowledge:
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
/s/ Stephen N. Joffe
/s/ Alan Buckey
Stephen N. Joffe
Alan Buckey
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
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