-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BmH8R9O3+Xx9sfeKShYniocMk7Y7l0BLsdmt7JfBjhrhGUJFGmOcSwOH1ZJZdQ+0
 5WB6XuiC4xljf0uYskTx5A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000906318-03-000261.txt : 20031211
<SEC-HEADER>0000906318-03-000261.hdr.sgml : 20031211
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031211143037
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000906318-03-000261
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031211

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCKEY ALAN H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001180327

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27610
		FILM NUMBER:		031049305

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8533 TWILIGHT TEAR LANE
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45249

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8533 TWILIGHT TEAR LANE
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45249

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>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-09</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001180327</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUCKEY ALAN H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8533 TWILIGHT TEAR LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45249</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive V.P., CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.29</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-12-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-12-09</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>90000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Per the SEC's instructions, this footnote reflects the amount of securities beneficially owned as of the transaction date that would normally be reflected in Table I.  The reporting person owns 50,000 shares of common stock directly, 2,950 shares indirectly by his children and 3,000 shares indirectly by his wife.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">33% of options become exercisable one year from date of grant; 33% of options become exercisable after two years from date of grant; and 33% of options become exercisable after three years from date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Charles F. Hertlein, Jr. Attorney-in-fact for Alan H. Buckey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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