Clipping Board » Medical Affairs and Administration ─ Medical system, pharmaceuticals, and medical community-related reports
【United Daily News / Reporters Liu Huimin, Zhan Jianfu, Shi Jingru / Taipei Report】
2012.02.15 11:38 am
A leading ophthalmologist’s decision to stop performing laser refractive surgery has caused ripples in the market. Eye doctors point out that clinics without substantial investments in advanced equipment will be marginalized and gradually forced out of the refractive surgery market.
With a large myopic population in Taiwan, ophthalmologists have been opening practices, some even adopting chain models to dominate the market and attract potential refractive surgery patients. Some chain eye clinics, backed by their optical businesses, have even become publicly listed companies, while others operate optical retail chains, employing profit-making strategies on par with large corporations.
To compete for laser refractive surgery patients, clinics have engaged in an arms race, pouring vast sums into upgrading equipment. Dr. Zhang Zhengzhong, a practicing ophthalmologist, noted that Taiwan currently has only six or seven of the most advanced bladeless femtosecond lasers, while excimer lasers are available in about 60 to 70 clinics.
Zhang Chaokai, executive director of the Taiwan Cataract and Refractive Surgery Society, explained that while traditional microkeratome devices cost NT$1.5 million, the advanced bladeless femtosecond laser carries a price tag of NT$15 million. A clinic aiming to invest in the best equipment would need at least NT$30 million, forcing some clinics to bow out of this costly competition.
Zhang added that eye clinics charge differently based on the sophistication of their equipment. The best bladeless femtosecond laser, combined with excimer laser and wavefront diagnostic technology, may cost up to NT$70,000 per surgery, while a basic package could be as low as NT$30,000.
Former chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of Taiwan, Lin Hongyu, revealed that a certain chain eye clinic group recently purchased over a dozen femtosecond laser machines to expand its market share. Before the Lunar New Year, it even advertised a promotional price of NT$9,000 for both eyes—far below the standard rate. After intervention by the medical society, the price was adjusted to NT$19,000, though still significantly lower than the norm.
When asked whether the refractive surgery market might be affected by the senior ophthalmologist’s remarks, Yu Jianxiang, manager of University Eye Clinic, expressed confidence. He noted that their clinic introduced bladeless femtosecond laser surgery two years ago and has since performed over 20,000 cases by the end of last year, with no reports of severe adverse effects.
Yu cited examples like golfers Tiger Woods and Yani Tseng, who underwent bladeless laser surgery for vision correction, and mentioned that NASA has approved the procedure for astronauts, further reinforcing his confidence in the technology.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS6/ 6901468. shtml#ixzz1mQGnKx1w
Chain Ophthalmology Goes Public: Equipment Arms Race
2012.02.15 11:38 am
A leading ophthalmologist’s decision to stop performing laser refractive surgery has caused ripples in the market. Eye doctors point out that clinics without substantial investments in advanced equipment will be marginalized and gradually forced out of the refractive surgery market.
With a large myopic population in Taiwan, ophthalmologists have been opening practices, some even adopting chain models to dominate the market and attract potential refractive surgery patients. Some chain eye clinics, backed by their optical businesses, have even become publicly listed companies, while others operate optical retail chains, employing profit-making strategies on par with large corporations.
To compete for laser refractive surgery patients, clinics have engaged in an arms race, pouring vast sums into upgrading equipment. Dr. Zhang Zhengzhong, a practicing ophthalmologist, noted that Taiwan currently has only six or seven of the most advanced bladeless femtosecond lasers, while excimer lasers are available in about 60 to 70 clinics.
Zhang Chaokai, executive director of the Taiwan Cataract and Refractive Surgery Society, explained that while traditional microkeratome devices cost NT$1.5 million, the advanced bladeless femtosecond laser carries a price tag of NT$15 million. A clinic aiming to invest in the best equipment would need at least NT$30 million, forcing some clinics to bow out of this costly competition.
Zhang added that eye clinics charge differently based on the sophistication of their equipment. The best bladeless femtosecond laser, combined with excimer laser and wavefront diagnostic technology, may cost up to NT$70,000 per surgery, while a basic package could be as low as NT$30,000.
Former chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of Taiwan, Lin Hongyu, revealed that a certain chain eye clinic group recently purchased over a dozen femtosecond laser machines to expand its market share. Before the Lunar New Year, it even advertised a promotional price of NT$9,000 for both eyes—far below the standard rate. After intervention by the medical society, the price was adjusted to NT$19,000, though still significantly lower than the norm.
When asked whether the refractive surgery market might be affected by the senior ophthalmologist’s remarks, Yu Jianxiang, manager of University Eye Clinic, expressed confidence. He noted that their clinic introduced bladeless femtosecond laser surgery two years ago and has since performed over 20,000 cases by the end of last year, with no reports of severe adverse effects.
Yu cited examples like golfers Tiger Woods and Yani Tseng, who underwent bladeless laser surgery for vision correction, and mentioned that NASA has approved the procedure for astronauts, further reinforcing his confidence in the technology.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ NATIONAL/ NATS6/ 6901468. shtml#ixzz1mQGnKx1w