-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 PcWJoZ78Op/zDeMX29Dc6aFfKPbqEtXCZWdngEWvUljEuDas6f4iugGZWuFE6CKI
 1Rv33x27SZCZ/eF+xF2/Lg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000906318-03-000153.txt : 20030725
<SEC-HEADER>0000906318-03-000153.hdr.sgml : 20030725
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030724174940
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000906318-03-000153
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030721
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030725

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HASSEY KEVIN M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001256400

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27610
		FILM NUMBER:		03801723

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6728 FIELDHOUSE WAY
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45227

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LCA VISION INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001003130
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SPECIALTY OUTPATIENT FACILITIES, NEC [8093]
		IRS NUMBER:				112882328
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7840 MONTGOMERY RD
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45236
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5137929292

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7840 MONTGOMERY ROAD
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45236
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-21</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001003130</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LCA VISION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LCAV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001256400</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HASSEY KEVIN M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>10.02</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-21</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>100000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2003-07-21</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-07-20</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>100000</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>100000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Per the SEC's instructions, this footnote reflects the amount of non-derivative securities beneficially owned as of the transaction date that would normally be reflected in Table I.  The reporting person owns 0 shares of common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">25% of options are exercisable immediately; 25% after one year; 25% after two years and 25% after three years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kevin M. Hassey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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