1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1



               LASER VISION CENTERS, INC. FINALIZES ACQUISITION OF
                         MIDWEST SURGICAL SERVICES (MSS)


ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI--DECEMBER 15, 1998--LASER VISION CENTERS, INC., (NASDAQ:
LVCI) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Midwest Surgical
Services, Inc., (MSS). LaserVision announced just last week that it intended to
acquire MSS, a profitable, privately held, Minneapolis based provider of mobile
cataract services to ophthalmologists in small markets. It currently provides
these services to 146 surgeons at 185 sites in 24 states and has 44 employees.
LaserVision believes MSS is the largest U.S. provider of mobile cataract
services.

LaserVision acquired all the stock of MSS for an initial payment of $3.5 million
in cash and notes, with potential additional consideration of up to $8.25
million in cash and LaserVision common stock based on the performance of MSS
through July 2001.

Laser Vision Centers, Inc. is the world's largest operator of excimer lasers
with locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden
and Greece. The excimer laser is a device which allows eye surgeons to correct
nearsightedness, farsightedness 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.

                                       ###

Contact:     John A. Stiles
             314-434-6900
             jstiles@laservision.com
             http://www.laservision.com