ICON Laser Eye Centers, Inc. Performs 7,990 Laser Vision Correction Procedures In July 2000.

Business Editors

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 2000

Comparison Of July 2000 to June 2000 down 12.8% Month-to-Month Sequentially Because of Seasonality of European Centers but up 361% from July of 1999

ICON Laser Eye Centers, Inc. (CDN:ILEC.U) (ICON) a leading international laser vision correction (LVC) provider announced that 7,990 LASIK and/or PRK procedures were performed at ICON wholly owned and affiliated centers during the month of July 2000. This represents an approximate 361% growth rate compared with 1,733 LVC procedures performed in July 1999, but is down approximately 12.8% from 9,165 LVC procedures in June 2000.

In ICON's monthly total, 3,084 LVC procedures can be attributed to ICON's joint venture partnership with VisionAmerica Incorporated (OTCBB:VSNA.OB). Of the centers where ICON and VSNA have currently rolled out ICON "Value LASIK" marketing programs, 9 of these centers reported attributable procedures in July 2000 since ICON only reports surgeries not consultations.

Each year ICON expects that July and August will report down comparisons on a sequential basis versus second quarter results. On a year-to-year basis however overall procedures continue to show significant increases. In Europe in the month of July 2000, ICON performed 530 procedures on 13 excimer lasers down from 1,189 procedures in June 2000. ICON is the only LVC centers company with an extensive European commitment and many European countries traditionally have businesses close for vacation in either July or August. Overall Europe has experienced substantially slower LVC growth rates mainly as a result of stricter rules as they relate to the advertising of medical procedures. ICON will continue its European expansion in order to have a strong operating base when LVC procedures become as popular as the statistics indicate in North America.

Ghassan Barazi, COO of ICON stated, "ICON once again had a very strong month despite the drop in procedures from June 2000. The company was very pleased to see continued procedure growth in the centers it operates jointly with VisionAmerica. ICON's business has historically been affected by summer seasonality and July 2000 is no exception. ICON anticipates that this trend will continue during August 2000 as much of Europe enters its vacation season."

Total Paid For LVC Procedures

                            Monthly Increases %
                1999        2000   Year to Year  Month To Month

January        1,172       4,089       249 %         38.0 %
February       1,340       4,612       244 %         12.8 %
March          1,823       6,243       242 %         35.3 %
Qtr 1          4,335      14,944

April          1,876       6,662       255 %          6.7 %
May            2,384       7,664       221 %         15.0 %
June           2,081       9,165       340 %         19.5 %
Qtr 2          6,341      23,491

July           1,733       7,990       361 %         12.8 %
August         1,452
September      2,356
Qtr 3          5,541

October        2,982
November       3,675
December       2,957
Qtr 4          9,614

Total         25,831      46,425


      There are currently 21,506,824 common shares of ICON issued and
outstanding.

About ICON Laser Eye Centers, Inc.

ICON is a leading international provider of laser vision correction services in North America and Europe. In addition to its own centers, ICON has structured strategic alliance agreements to manage affiliated ICON laser vision correction centers around the world with the intention that they will be acquired by ICON. ICON operates fixed laser centers in Canada, the USA, England, Sweden and Italy, with ICON mobile units currently operating in Europe only. ICON is also operating a series of joint-ventured laser vision correction centers in co-operation with VisionAmerica Incorporated (OTCBB:VSNA.OB). ICON owned and managed centers are currently operating at a rate of 7,990 procedures per month in its most recent month of July 2000.

Certain information in this document includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In addition, from time to time ICON or its executive officers have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially form those projected or suggested by any forward-looking statements as a result of a wide variety of risks, factors and conditions. Such risks include, but are not limited to, market acceptance of new products and technologies; the ability of ICON to obtain additional capital; risks that negotiated transactions in process may not be successfully completed; economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting ICON's operations and markets; unanticipated events and other various factors. The reader is specifically referred to all disclosures contained in this document and in prior documents publicly disseminated by ICON.