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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 Wh8b8JCf5D7TikF5jjJpZw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001010610-04-000054.txt : 20040614
<SEC-HEADER>0001010610-04-000054.hdr.sgml : 20040611
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040614111551
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001010610-04-000054
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040614

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAY ROBERT W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242183

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-29302
		FILM NUMBER:		04860234

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2322 PICARDY PLACE DR
		CITY:			CHESTERFIELD
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63017

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TLC VISION CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001010610
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-SPECIALTY OUTPATIENT FACILITIES, NEC [8093]
		IRS NUMBER:				980151150
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			A6
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5600 EXPLORER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 301
		CITY:			MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3144346900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		540 MARYVILLE CENTRE DR
		STREET 2:		-
		CITY:			ST LOUIS
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63141

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TLC LASER CENTER INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960314
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001010610</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TLC VISION CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TLCV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242183</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MAY ROBERT W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2322 PICARDY PLACE DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHESTERFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Secretary and General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Options</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.94</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-07-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-07-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>421500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Anniverary Award of stock option for 1,000 common shares not previously reported.  Option balance at 6/14/04 is now 421,500.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert W. May</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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