1.   But LASIK has been a major improvement, because the laser correction actually takes place beneath the corneal surface.

2.   Despite the plethora of discounters, laser vision correction is largely confined to the middle-class and well-to-do, market analysts say.

3.   Laser vision correction is a major growth industry, with the number of patients nearly doubling annually.

4.   Tens of millions of nearsighted Americans are potential customers, making laser vision correction one of the most lucrative new health care markets going.

5.   The rapid growth of laser vision correction has given those thinking about the surgery lots of choices in where they have it done and how much they pay.