Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business Policy [Policy Text Block]	Description of Business We are a provider of fixed-site laser vision correction services at our LasikPlus^® vision centers. Our vision centers provide the staff, facilities, equipment and support services for performing laser vision correction that employ advanced laser technologies to help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Our vision centers are supported by independent ophthalmologists and credentialed optometrists, as well as other healthcare professionals. The ophthalmologists perform the laser vision correction procedures in our vision centers, and ophthalmologists or optometrists conduct pre-procedure evaluations and post-operative follow-up care in-center. Most of our patients currently receive a procedure called laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (“LASIK), which we began performing in the United States in 1996. As of March 31, 2014, we operated 60 LasikPlus fixed-site laser vision correction centers, generally located in metropolitan markets in the United States consisting of 51 full-service LasikPlus fixed-site laser vision correction centers and nine pre- and post-operative LasikPlus satellite vision centers. Included in the 51 full-service vision centers are four vision centers owned and operated by ophthalmologists who license our trademarks. Beginning in 2011, we began offering refractive lens and cataract services in certain of our existing markets. On February 13, 2014, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “merger agreement”) with PhotoMedex, Inc. (“PhotoMedex”) pursuant to which PhotoMedex will acquire all of our common stock for $5.37 per share in cash, or approximately $106.4 million, resulting in our becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of PhotoMedex (the “merger”). The merger has received all necessary approvals from our stockholders and regulators and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation We prepared our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for each period presented. These adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. We derived the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 from audited financial statements, but did not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in subsequent quarters or for the year ending December 31, 2014.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Use of Estimates The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include allowance for doubtful accounts against patient receivables, insurance reserves, income taxes and enhancement accruals. Although our management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to conform to current period presentation. The reclassifications were not material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Receivables Trade and Other Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Policy [Policy Text Block]	Patient Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We provide financing to some of our patients, including those who could not otherwise obtain third-party financing. The terms of this financing usually require the patient to pay an up-front fee which is intended to cover some or all of our variable costs and then we deduct the remainder of the amount due automatically from the patient’s bank account over a period of 12 to 36 months. Based on our own experience with patient receivables, we have established an allowance for doubtful accounts as a best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses from our patient financing program. Each month, we review the allowance and adjust it based upon our experience with patient financing. We charge-off receivables against the allowance when it is probable that a receivable will not be recovered. Our policy is to reserve for all patient receivables that remain open past their financial maturity date and to provide reserves for patient receivables prior to the maturity date so as to bring patient receivables, net of reserves, down to the estimated net realizable value based on historical collectability rates, recent default activity and the current credit environment. Receivable balances that remain open past their financial maturity amounted to $29,000 and $21,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. We maintained an allowance for doubtful accounts on our patient receivables of $1.3 million and $1.1 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we wrote-off $252,000 of receivables against the allowance for doubtful accounts and recovered $25,000 in receivables previously written off. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we wrote-off $227,000 of receivables against the allowance for doubtful accounts and recovered $29,000 in receivables previously written off.

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Description of Business

We are a provider of fixed-site laser vision correction services at our LasikPlus^® vision centers. Our vision centers provide the staff, facilities, equipment and support services for performing laser vision correction that employ advanced laser technologies to help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Our vision centers are supported by independent ophthalmologists and credentialed optometrists, as well as other healthcare professionals. The ophthalmologists perform the laser vision correction procedures in our vision centers, and ophthalmologists or optometrists conduct pre-procedure evaluations and post-operative follow-up care in-center. Most of our patients currently receive a procedure called laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (“LASIK), which we began performing in the United States in 1996.

As of March 31, 2014, we operated 60 LasikPlus fixed-site laser vision correction centers, generally located in metropolitan markets in the United States consisting of 51 full-service LasikPlus fixed-site laser vision correction centers and nine pre- and post-operative LasikPlus satellite vision centers. Included in the 51 full-service vision centers are four vision centers owned and operated by ophthalmologists who license our trademarks. Beginning in 2011, we began offering refractive lens and cataract services in certain of our existing markets.

On February 13, 2014, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “merger agreement”) with PhotoMedex, Inc. (“PhotoMedex”) pursuant to which PhotoMedex will acquire all of our common stock for $5.37 per share in cash, or approximately $106.4 million, resulting in our becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of PhotoMedex (the “merger”). The merger has received all necessary approvals from our stockholders and regulators and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

We prepared our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for each period presented. These adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.

We derived the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 from audited financial statements, but did not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in subsequent quarters or for the year ending December 31, 2014.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include allowance for doubtful accounts against patient receivables, insurance reserves, income taxes and enhancement accruals. Although our management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

We have reclassified certain prior-period amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to conform to current period presentation. The reclassifications were not material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Receivables Trade and Other Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Policy [Policy Text Block]

Patient Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We provide financing to some of our patients, including those who could not otherwise obtain third-party financing. The terms of this financing usually require the patient to pay an up-front fee which is intended to cover some or all of our variable costs and then we deduct the remainder of the amount due automatically from the patient’s bank account over a period of 12 to 36 months. Based on our own experience with patient receivables, we have established an allowance for doubtful accounts as a best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses from our patient financing program. Each month, we review the allowance and adjust it based upon our experience with patient financing. We charge-off receivables against the allowance when it is probable that a receivable will not be recovered. Our policy is to reserve for all patient receivables that remain open past their financial maturity date and to provide reserves for patient receivables prior to the maturity date so as to bring patient receivables, net of reserves, down to the estimated net realizable value based on historical collectability rates, recent default activity and the current credit environment. Receivable balances that remain open past their financial maturity amounted to $29,000 and $21,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

We maintained an allowance for doubtful accounts on our patient receivables of $1.3 million and $1.1 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we wrote-off $252,000 of receivables against the allowance for doubtful accounts and recovered $25,000 in receivables previously written off. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we wrote-off $227,000 of receivables against the allowance for doubtful accounts and recovered $29,000 in receivables previously written off.