LCA-VISION INC

DEF 14A 1 f2002proxystatement.htm LCA-VISION INC. DEF 14A LCA-VISION INC

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LCA-VISION INC.

7840 Montgomery Road

Cincinnati, OH 45236

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

May 13, 2002

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF LCA-VISION INC.:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of LCA-Vision Inc. to be held on May 13, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at The Queen City Club, 331 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, for the purpose of considering and acting on the following:

Election of four directors to serve until the 2003 Annual Meeting

Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2002 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Sandra F.W. Joffe

Secretary

4/9/01

IMPORTANT

A Proxy Statement and proxy are submitted herewith. We urge you to complete and mail the proxy promptly whether or not you plan to attend this Annual Meeting in person. The enclosed envelope for return of proxy requires no postage if mailed in the U.S.A. If you choose to attend the meeting in person, you may nevertheless personally vote on all matters which are considered. It is important that your shares be voted. In order to avoid the additional expense to the Company of further solicitation, we ask your cooperation in mailing your proxy promptly.

PROXY STATEMENT

LCA-VISION INC.

7840 Montgomery Road

Cincinnati, OH 45236

May 13, 2002

INTRODUCTION

The Board of Directors of LCA-Vision Inc. is soliciting the enclosed form of proxy for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 13, 2002. Each of the 42,869,762 shares of our common stock outstanding on April 1, 2002, the record date of this meeting, is entitled to one vote on all matters coming before the meeting. Only stockholders of record on our books at the close of business on April 1, 2002 will be entitled to vote at the meeting, either in person or by proxy. We are mailing this Proxy Statement to our stockholders on or about April 9, 2002.

The enclosed form of proxy, or proxy card, names two of our officers, Stephen N. Joffe and Alan H. Buckey, as the individuals who will vote the shares as instructed by the stockholders who choose to submit proxies. If you submit a signed proxy without affirmatively designating how you wish to be voted, Mr. Joffe and Mr. Buckey will vote your shares in favor of all matters presented to the stockholders. If you grant a proxy, you may later revoke it by giving a written notice to our Secretary, Sandra F.W. Joffe, prior to the meeting or by giving notice at the meeting itself at any time before your shares have actually been voted by means of the proxy.

We are soliciting proxies from our stockholders principally by mail, but we may also have our directors, officers and other regular employees solicit proxies in person or by telephone or other means. If these persons do assist in the proxy solicitation process, we will not compensate them over and above their regular salaries for doing so. We ask that brokers, banks and others who hold stock in streetname or in trust send our proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the stock. We will reimburse them for any reasonable costs they may incur in forwarding materials to the beneficial owners. We will bear all expenses incurred in soliciting the enclosed forms of proxy.

Our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001 is enclosed with this Proxy Statement.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The stockholders at the 2002 Annual Meeting will elect four directors, each of whom will hold office until the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The individuals named in the proxy will vote for the election of only the four nominees named, and only four directors will be elected.

All of the nominees are currently serving as members of the Board of Directors. While our management has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will, prior to the date of the meeting, refuse or be unable to accept their nominations, if any of them should refuse or become unable to accept, the proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee, if any, as may be recommended by the Board of Directors. Nominees receiving the four highest totals of votes cast in the election will be elected as directors. Proxies which are returned to us will be voted in favor of the four nominees specified below unless otherwise instructed by the stockholders. Abstentions and shares not voted by brokers and other entities holding shares on behalf of beneficial owners will not be counted and will have no effect on the outcome of the election.

Directors are elected annually and serve one-year terms. Information with respect to each of the four nominees is as follows:

Stephen N. Joffe, age 59, is LCA-Vision's Chairman of the Board and CEO. He was the founder of the Company's corporate predecessor, Laser Centers of America, Inc. and served as its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer from its founding in 1985 until its merger into the Company in 1995. In addition, he is an Esteemed Quondam Professor of Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, a position he has held since 1990. He was a full-time Professor of Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for nine years prior to 1990. He has held faculty appointments at the Universities of London, Glasgow and Cincinnati, and holds fellowships of the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

William O. Coleman, age 73, is a director and formerly held positions at The Procter & Gamble Company from 1955-1988 that included General Sales Manager, Vice President Food Products, International/Latin America, and Special Projects. After his retirement, Mr. Coleman served as a Trustee of The Procter & Gamble Retirement Trusts through June 2000. He currently serves on the board of Touchstone family of funds.

John H. Gutfreund, age 72, is a director and Senior Managing Partner of C.E. Unterberg, Towbin, an investment partnership for high-growth technology companies. Formerly, Mr. Gutfreund was with Salomon Brothers from 1953-1991, most recently as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Gutfreund is: director, Montefiore Medical Center, New York City and a member of the Executive Committee; member, Council on Foreign Relations; member, the Board of Trustees, New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; honorary trustee, Oberlin (Ohio) College; chairman, Aperture Foundation; and director of a number of other public companies.

John C. Hassan, age 59, is a director and has been the President of Champion Printing, Inc. for more than ten years. Previously, he was Vice President, Marketing, of the Drackett Company, a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb. He currently serves on the boards of the Ohio Graphics Arts Health Fund, the Printing Industries of Ohio and Northern Kentucky and the Madeira/Indian Hill Fire Co.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES

In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, the Board of Directors met on four occasions. Each incumbent director during the last fiscal year attended 75% or more of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors (held during the period for which he or she has been a director) and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he or she served (during the periods that he or she served). The Board of Directors has two standing committees, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.

The Audit Committee recommends to the entire Board of Directors the independent auditors to be retained by LCA-Vision, consults with the independent auditors with respect to their audit plans, reviews their audit report and any management letters issued by them, and consults with the independent auditors with regard to financial reporting and the adequacy of internal controls. The Audit Committee held four meetings in 2001. Its membership consists solely of independent directors. Its present members are Messrs. Coleman, Gutfreund and Hassan.

The Compensation Committee recommends to the entire Board of Directors the compensation arrangements for our executive officers and administers our stock option plans. The Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2001. Its membership consists solely of independent directors. Its present members are Messrs. Coleman and Gutfreund.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

During 2001, one of our directors, William O. Coleman, inadvertently filed a Form 4, reporting a sale of 30,000 shares of common stock, after the due date for such filing.

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Thomas E. Wilson, age 63, was Chief Executive Officer of LCA-Vision Inc. through December 31, 2001. Mr. Wilson, a former long-time senior executive with General Electric Aircraft Engines in Evendale, Ohio, most recently served as a management consultant and vice president, manufacturing, with Pease Industries, of Fairfield, Ohio.

Tom began his business career in 1967 as an engineer with the Pratt-Whitney Division of United Technologies Corporation. He joined GE Aircraft Engines in 1979 as manager of marketing support and strategic planning, eventually becoming head of the company's $1 billion commercial spare parts operations in 1993. In 1995, Mr. Wilson left GE to become vice president of operations at the Cincinnati Mine Machinery Company and, later, joined Pease Industries, first as a consultant and then as vice president, manufacturing.

In June 1998, Tom joined LCA-Vision, became President and Chief Operating Officer in December 1998, and Chief Executive Officer in January 2001.

Joseph B. Dzialo, age 47, serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at LCA-Vision Inc. Mr. Dzialo joined LCA-Vision from Nine West Group, acquired by Jones Apparel Group (NYSE: JNY), where he was President of the Wholesale Division of Easy Spirit Footwear. Prior to joining Nine West Group in 1995, Joe held several senior positions with U.S. Shoe Corporation, where he was responsible for developing and implementing marketing objectives, strategies and plans and helped grow total division sales and enhance comparable store sales. Previously, Mr. Dzialo spent 12 years at The Procter & Gamble Company, where he worked in several capacities including manufacturing, product development and advertising.

Mr. Dzialo joined LCA-Vision Inc. in September 1999 as Executive Vice President of Operations, and became President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2001.

Alan H. Buckey, age 43, is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for LCA-Vision. Mr. Buckey came to LCA-Vision from Pease Industries, a $70 million manufacturing company based in Fairfield, Ohio, where he served as vice president, finance, from 1991. He also served as CFO of the Hilltop Companies, a contract laboratory research firm, and as a senior manager with Ernst & Young’s Great Lakes Consulting Group. While at Ernst & Young, he was named acting CFO of a start-up laser surgery management company which was the predecessor of LCA-Vision. Alan began his career as a finance specialist with the RCA Corporation.

Mr. Buckey joined LCA-Vision Inc. in March 2000, and became Executive Vice President in January 2001.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary

The following table summarizes, for the fiscal years indicated, all annual compensation earned by or granted to our Chairman and the only other executive officers whose compensation exceeded $100,000 for all services rendered to the Company in all capacities (the "named executives") during the last fiscal year:

Summary Compensation Table
							Long-Term
							Compensation
		Annual Compensation					Awards
							Securities
							Underlying
Name and Principal							Options	All Other
Position		Year	Salary ($)		Bonus ($)		(# Shares)	Compensation

Stephen N. Joffe		2001	$300,000		--		--	$49,595⁽¹⁾
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer		2000	$283,000		--		--	$49,666⁽¹⁾
		1999	$198,000		$50,000		--	$46,801⁽¹⁾

Thomas E. Wilson		2001	$240,000		--		60,000	--
Former Chief Executive Officer		2000	$216,667		--		20,000	--
		1999	$180,000		$20,000		100,000	--

Joseph B. Dzialo		2001	$228,000		--		60,000	--
President and Chief Operating		2000	$215,883		$47,500		100,000	--
Officer		1999	$63,333⁽²⁾		--		200,000	--

Alan H. Buckey		2001	$175,000		--		60,000	--
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer		2000	$125,000 ⁽³⁾		--		120,000	--

(1)	Includes the following benefits:
				2001		2000	1999
	Funding for life insurance trust			$45,911		$45,911	$45,911
	Life insurance and long-term disability			3,684		3,755	890
	Total			$49,595		$49,666	$46,801

(2)	Partial year salary. Mr. Dzialo commenced his employment with the Company in September 1999.

(3)	Partial year salary. Mr. Buckey commenced his employment with the Company in March 2000.

Stock Options

The following table sets forth information regarding stock options granted to the named executives during 2001:

OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR


						Potential Realizable
		Number of	% of Total			Value at Assumed
		Securities	Options			Annual Rates of Stock
		Underlying	Granted to	Exercise or		Price Appreciation for
		Options	Employees in	Base Price	Expiration	Option Term
Name		Granted (1)	Fiscal Year (2)	($/Share)	Date	5% ($)	10% ($)

Thomas E. Wilson		60,000	10.8%	$2.75	2/28/11	$103,768	$262,968

Joseph B. Dzialo		60,000	10.8%	$2.75	2/28/11	$103,768	$262,968

Alan H. Buckey		60,000	10.8%	$2.75	2/28/11	$103,768	$262,968





(1)	Generally, all such options first become exercisable over a period of up to three years and are exercisable in full thereafter until the option expires. The option exercise price is not adjustable over the 10-year term of the options except due to stock splits and similar occurrences affecting all outstanding stock.




(2)	The percentage shown in the above table reflects the ratio of the total options granted to the named person during the fiscal year over the total options granted to all employees during the fiscal year.

The following table sets forth information regarding the value of unexercised in-the-money options held by the named executives as of December 31, 2001:

AGGREGATED OPTIONS EXERCISED IN LAST
FISCAL YEARS AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

	Shares		Number of Securities
	Acquired	Value	Underlying Unexercised		Value of Unexercised In-the-
	on	Realized	Options at FY-End		Money Options at FY-End ($)
Name	Exercise (#)	($)	Exercisable	Unexercisable	Exercisable	Unexercisable

Thomas E. Wilson	--	--	101,667	78,333	--	--

Joseph B. Dzialo	--	--	215,000	145,000	--	--

Alan H. Buckey	--	--	55,000	125,000	--	--

Director Compensation

Our non-employee directors are paid cash fees of $5,000 per calendar quarter plus reimbursement of related out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, they receive stock option grants under our 1998 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan. Under this plan, a non-employee director receives a grant of options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock upon his or her election or appointment to the Board and is entitled thereafter to an annual grant of options to purchase 12,500 shares.

Loans To Directors And Management

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. As of February 28, 2002, the following amounts are outstanding under this program:

Name	Position	February 28, 2002 Balance
William Coleman	Director	$329,375
John Gutfreund	Director	302,212
Thomas Wilson	Former Chief Executive Officer	332,375
Joseph Dzialo	President and Chief Operating Officer	315,625
Jeffrey Dowdle	Vice President	110,792
Stephen Finney	Vice President	104,917
		$1,495,296

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has furnished the following report on executive compensation:

Overview and Philosophy

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors consists of two non-employee directors of the Company. No member of the Compensation Committee has any insider or interlocking relationship with the Company, as these terms are defined in applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Compensation Committee is responsible for developing and recommending the Company's executive compensation principles, policies and programs to the Board of Directors. In addition, the Compensation Committee recommends to the Board of Directors on an annual basis the compensation to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and, with advice from the Chief Executive Officer, determines the amount paid to each of the other executive officers of the Company, including the named executives.

The Company's compensation programs are designed to provide its executive officers with market-competitive salaries and the opportunity to earn incentive compensation related to performance expectations identified by the Board. The objectives of the Company's executive compensation program as developed by the Compensation Committee are to:

•

Provide a direct link between executive officer compensation and the interests of the Company's stockholders by making a significant portion of executive officer compensation dependent upon the financial performance of the Company.

•

Support the achievement of the Company's annual and long-term goals and objectives as determined annually by the Board.

•

Establish base salaries targeted at a median level for comparable positions within a comparison group of companies, with incentive opportunities designed to pay total compensation well above average for outstanding Company performance.

•

Provide opportunities for equity ownership based on competitive levels, corporate/segment performance, share price performance, and share dilution considerations.

•

Achieve and maintain stock ownership within the executive officer group.

•

Provide compensation plans and arrangements that encourage the retention of better-performing executives.

The compensation of executive officers of the Company includes (i) base salary, (ii) annual incentive cash bonuses, and (iii) long-term incentive compensation currently in the form of stock options. Bonuses and stock options (collectively, "Incentive Compensation") represent a significant portion of an executive officer's potential annual compensation. In general, the proportion of an executive officer's compensation that is Incentive Compensation increases with the level of responsibility of the officer. Executive officers also receive various benefits generally available to all employees of the Company, such as 401(k) and medical plans.

Base Salaries

The Compensation Committee seeks to set base salaries for the Company's executive officers at levels which are competitive with median levels for executives with similar roles and responsibilities at similar-sized emerging companies. In setting annual salaries for individuals, the Compensation Committee first considers the compensation paid for similar positions at similar-sized emerging companies and the executive's experience, level and scope of responsibility as a benchmark forecast. It then considers individual performance of the executive measured against expectations in developing its salary increase recommendations. Based on these principles, a salary increase was granted to Alan Buckey in 2001.

Annual Incentive Bonuses

Because the Company competes in an emerging business category, the nature of which is constantly evolving, the Compensation Committee has not chosen to adopt a regimented, systematic approach to performance-based compensation. Instead, the Committee attempts to exercise its judgement on a case-by-case basis, considering all aspects of each executive's efforts and contribution and the recommendations of the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. It was on this basis that the bonuses referenced in the Summary Compensation Table were granted.

Option Grants

The Company's stock incentive plans authorize the Compensation Committee to award stock options and restricted stock to executive officers and other key employees. Stock option grants are designed to align the long-term interests of the Company's key employees with those of its shareholders by directly linking compensation to shareholder interest, as well as enabling key employees to develop and maintain significant long-term equity ownership positions.

The number of options granted to an executive officer is a function of the executive's level of responsibility. Variance from these numbers is based upon the Compensation Committee's reasoned expectation of the executive's future contribution to the Company. Generally, the Compensation Committee grants non-statutory options during each fiscal year at an exercise price equal to fair market value of Company common stock on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee recommended option grants for 2001 in accordance with this general practice, as indicated in the Summary Compensation Table.

William O. Coleman

John H. Gutfreund

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The following graph summarizes the cumulative return on $100 invested in our common stock since LCA-Vision first began to trade on NASDAQ in January 1996, compared to the S&P 500 Stock Index and a selected group of four of our direct competitors. This comparison was compiled by the Center for Research in Security Prices at the University of Chicago. The peer group of competitors consists of Laser Vision Centers, Inc.; TLC Laser Eye Centers; Prime Medical Services Inc.; and NovaMed Eyecare, Inc. The peer group in the prior year included Vision America Inc. and Vision Twenty One Inc. who are no longer in business.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP

OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table and notes set forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 28, 2002, for the following:

•

Each of our directors and executive officers

•

All directors and executive officers as a group, and

•

Each person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock.

SEC rules provide that if an individual or group has a right to acquire shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants within 60 days of the effective date of this schedule, then the shares are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person shown on the table.

Name and Address of		Amount and Nature	Percent
Beneficial Owner	Title of Class	of Ownership⁽¹⁾	of Class
Stephen N. Joffe, M.D., Chairman & Chief Executive Officer	Common Stock	13,545,657⁽²⁾	31.7
Sandra F.W. Joffe, Secretary
8750 Red Fox Lane
Cincinnati, OH 45243

William O. Coleman	Common Stock	321,250⁽³⁾	0.8
Director

John H. Gutfreund	Common Stock	318,250⁽⁴⁾	0.7
Director

John C. Hassan	Common Stock	173,250⁽⁵⁾	0.4
Director

Thomas E. Wilson	Common Stock	201,167⁽⁶⁾	0.4
Former Chief Executive Officer

Joseph B. Dzialo	Common Stock	346,500⁽⁷⁾	0.8
President & Chief Operating Officer

Alan H. Buckey	Common Stock	290,000⁽⁸⁾	0.7
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

All directors and executive officers	Common Stock	15,196,074	35.5
as a group (8 persons)

(1)

The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws, where applicable, and the information contained in other footnotes to this table.

(2)

Stephen N. Joffe and Sandra F.W. Joffe are married to one another and each is therefore deemed to be the beneficial owner of all shares owned by the other. The total shown consists of 10,658,965 shares of common stock owned of record by Mr. Joffe; 2,885,192 shares of common stock owned of record by Mrs. Joffe; 750 shares of common stock owned of record by Mr. and Mrs. Joffe jointly; and 750 shares of common stock issuable to Mrs. Joffe in the event of her exercise of a currently exercisable stock option.

(3)

Includes 242,000 shares owned of record by Mr. Coleman; 11,000 shares held on trust for the benefit of certain family members, and 68,250 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Coleman upon the exercise of certain unexercised stock options.

(4)

Includes 250,000 shares owned of record by Mr. Gutfreund and 68,250 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Gutfreund upon the exercise of certain unexercised outstanding stock options.

(5)

Includes 29,000 shares owned of record by Mr. Hassan and 144,250 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Hassan upon the exercise of certain unexercised stock options.

(6)

Includes 100,000 shares of record owned by Mr. Wilson and 101,167 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Wilson upon the exercise of certain unexercised stock options.

(7)

Includes 116,500 shares owned of record by Mr. Dzialo and 230,000 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Dzialo upon the exercise of certain unexercised stock options.

(8)

Includes 200,000 shares owned of record by Mr. Buckey and 90,000 shares of common stock issuable to Mr. Buckey upon the exercise of certain unexercised outstanding stock options.

(9)

Consists of 14,493,407 shares owned of record directly or indirectly by such persons and 702,667 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options held directly or indirectly by such persons.

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

Our principal shareholder is the majority stockholder of an inactive ambulatory surgical center. Prior to January 1, 2000 the Company had made loans to the shareholder and had advanced funds to the surgery center. At January 1, 2001 the note receivable from the shareholder and the receivable from the affiliated company, net of allowance for doubtful accounts was $317,000.

During 2000, the Company acquired equipment from the Surgery Center for use in performing the surgical reversal of presbyopia in the amount of $17,000. The Surgery Center’s indebtedness to LCA-Vision was reduced by the proceeds paid to LCA-Vision Inc. The allowance for doubtful accounts was increased by $110,000 in 2000 to reduce the combined note receivable from shareholder and the receivable from affiliated company to $190,000 at December 31, 2000.

During 2001, the remaining assets of the Surgery Center were sold for $138,000 and the proceeds were paid to LCA-Vision Inc. Additional reserves for doubtful accounts were allocated to the remaining balance in notes receivable so that at December 31, 2001 there were no outstanding notes receivable from the shareholder or the affiliated company.

The Company’s majority shareholder also owns Columbus Eye Associates, an Ohio professional corporation. LCA-Vision Inc. contracts with Columbus Eye Associates for professional services of surgeons and optometrists in North Carolina and Virginia. Patient fees are paid to Columbus Eye Associates which in turn pays a facility fee to LCA-Vision Inc. Columbus Eye Associates was inactive until January 1, 2002. It will be operated at breakeven, and the shareholders will not receive any compensation from Columbus Eye Associates.

REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

In accordance with its written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee of the Board (“Audit Committee”) assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company. During 2001, the Audit Committee met four times and discussed the interim financial information contained in each quarterly Form 10-Q with the Chief Financial Officer and independent auditors prior to the filing of the Company’s Form 10-Q.

In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and the Company that might bear on the auditors’ independence consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, “Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,” discussed with the auditors any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the auditors’ independence.

The Audit Committee discussed and reviewed with the independent auditors all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, “Communication with Audit Committees” and, with and without Management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent auditors’ examination of the financial statements.

The Audit Committee reviewed the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, with Management and the independent auditors. Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and the independent auditors have the responsibility for the examination of those statements.

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with Management and the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

William O. Coleman

John H. Gutfreund

John C. Hassan

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Ernst & Young served as the Company's independent accountants for the year ended December 31, 2001. One or more members of Ernst & Young will attend the Annual Meeting with an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to respond to such questions as may be asked by Stockholders.

Audit fees

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young for its audit of the Company's annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2001 and for its reviews of the unaudited quarterly financial statements contained in the reports on Form 10-Q filed by the Company during that year amounted to $63,000.

All Other Fees

The aggregate fees billed for all services rendered by Ernst & Young other than the Audit Fees described above, during the year ended December 31, 2001 were $5,000 for audit-related services associated with a company employee benefit plan, and $5,200 for tax consulting services. Ernst & Young did not provide any financial systems design or implementation fees during the year. The Audit Committee did consider whether Ernst & Young’s provision of such non-audit related services was compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young and concluded that it was compatible with maintaining such independence.

2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

In order for any stockholder proposals for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement relating to that meeting to be presented for stockholder action at that meeting, they must be received by our corporate secretary at 7840 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 prior to November 29, 2002. The form of proxy we distribute with respect to the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may include discretionary authority to vote on any matter which is presented to the stockholders at the meeting (other than by management) if we do not receive notice of that matter at the above address prior to February 12, 2003.

OTHER MATTERS

We do not know of any other business to be presented to the meeting and do not intend to bring other matters before the meeting. However, if other matters properly come before the meeting, we intend that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote on those matters according to their best judgement in the interests of LCA-Vision.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Sandra F.W. Joffe

Secretary