This is an update of my observations regarding quarterly change of Visian ICL doctor listings and updates my prior (Aug 2009) posting of monthly changes. The August 2009 posting is: http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks...

The monthly change of unique listings of Visian ICL doctors at Staar's sites increased during September 2009 from 1330 to 1369, by my count. The US ICL-certified lists increased officially from 605 to 606. By my count there were 604 unique names, after Staar Surgical’s updates. The international listings changed from 730 unique names at the end of July, unchanged in August, to 764 names by September 30. The US listings of “Leading Visian ICL Specialists” were unchanged from August at 90. The number of eye docs practicing at US military Warfighter Refractive Surgery Centers increased from 24 to 25; 5 are “Leading Visian ICL Specialists.” What are the qualifications to earn this distinction are not public information.

Abbott Medical Optics added 3 Verisyse physicians in the US during September, by my observation.
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The quarterly change of unique listings of Visian ICL doctors at Staar’s sites increased from June 2009 to September 2009 from 1312 to 1368, by my count. The US ICL-certified lists increased official from 593 to 606. The international listings increased from 723 to 764 unique names. Quarterly changes, by individual country, are shown in parentheses.

Internationally, the lists now show 63 countries including the US have physicians who offer the Visian ICL. The listings at the end of September 2009 show:

4 countries with more than 50 eye surgeons offering: China (87), India (67), Korea (117), US (604(+13), including 2 in Puerto Rico at the US map). For China, India, and Korea the listings have not added new names since Feb 2009.

13 countries with 15 to 49 eye surgeons offering: Argentina (49 (+7)), Belgium (18), Chile (22), Egypt (14(+6)), France (23(+1)), Germany (36(+7)), Iran (21), Japan (15), Saudi Arabia (33(+1)), Singapore (17), Spain (40), Thailand (16(+8)), United Kingdom (19).

14 countries with 5 to 14 eye surgeons offering: Australia (12), Canada (11), Greece (6), Hong Kong (7), Italy (10(+3)), Lebanon (6(+1)), Malaysia (6), Mexico (5), Norway (7(+2)), Portugal (8), South Africa (11), Switzerland (6), Turkey (6), United Arab Emirates (9(+1)). I know that Hong Kong is part of China, but count as a separate country.

32 other countries Staar Surgical lists as having 1 to 4 eye surgeons offering the Visian ICL. The newest of these is Romania.
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Staar Surgical did not "clean up" any of the duplicate listings of the same doctor at the same address from the last several months in eight countries. Staar Surgical removed a non-ophthalmologist to the CA listings after 13 Sep.
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I look forward to Staar Surgical’s reporting its 3rd quarter 2009 financial results on November 3, as the cataract market continues growth while the refractive laser market continues its 30% slump. I am concerned that the FDA’s ongoing review of its PMA processes will continue delay on Staar's Toric ICL application to January and beyond. Alcon is heavily marketing its Toric IOL and its Restor 3.0 Premium IOLs with the Toric now being 5% of its IOL sales; how has that impacted Staar’s Toric? The pathway to making the 1-pc collamer being considered viable to the expanding presbyopic IOL market will not be quick; but its initial pathway seems to me to be emphasis of its advantages in the cataract market as a much lower priced product than the Restor or Abbott’s Rezoom. The current trial in Orange Co CA Superior Court will drag on for sometime, and the appeal of the prior judgment has been filed. Do like the Facebook postings! Priceless advertising and quick Staar responses.