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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Jnje8nr2M35+uNlwcaSMR5cYvqfKuT+I36pszqDKzFh9aIPdfT5lhfJAhWosqnPD
 oyU3cL4G+1R4RDsrGjxiGA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-027254.txt : 20040521
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-027254.hdr.sgml : 20040521
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040521175109
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-027254
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040517
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040521

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GUTFREUND JOHN H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001165513

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27610
		FILM NUMBER:		04825165

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		834 5TH AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 7A
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		NUTRITION 21, INC.
		STREET 2:		4 MANHATTANVILLE ROAD
		CITY:			PURCHASE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10577

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>bci07793_bco1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001165513</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GUTFREUND JOHN H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7840 MONTGOMERY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CINCINNATI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45236</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options (Rights to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>24.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3125</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-05-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3125</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3125</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options become exercisable as to 50% on the first anniversary of the date of grant and as to the remaining 50% on the second anniversary of the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Patricia O. Lowry, Attorney-in-fact for E. Anthony Woods</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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