STAAR Surgical Company

What STAAR Surgical Company does

STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA), founded in 1982 and headquartered in Lake Forest, California, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs) for the eye, along with companion delivery systems. Its core product portfolio — the EVO ICL, EVO+ ICL, and Visian ICL product lines — is built around the company's proprietary Collamer biocompatible material containing collagen, used exclusively by STAAR for over 30 years. The foldable lenses are implanted behind the iris in a minimally invasive procedure to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, providing a reversible alternative to laser-based refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK) that does not remove corneal tissue. Over 4 million ICLs have been sold worldwide since the first implantation in 1993.

STAAR generates revenue almost entirely from hardware sales of these implantable lenses, distributed through a hybrid model of direct subsidiaries in China, Japan, Singapore, UK, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland, complemented by independent distributors in approximately 75+ countries. The company targets two primary customer segments: (1) adult patients seeking visual freedom from glasses or contact lenses, and (2) ophthalmic surgeons and refractive surgery centers, with surgeons required to complete certification training (including proctoring of initial procedures) before ordering lenses. The company employs over 900 people and operates research, development, manufacturing, and packaging facilities in California and Switzerland. China is currently its largest revenue market, generating $47.4 million in Q1 2026 alone. Following the rejection of Alcon's $1.6 billion acquisition offer in January 2026, STAAR continues as an independent company under a restructured board and interim co-CEO leadership.

Name

STAAR Surgical Company

Legal name

STAAR Surgical Company

Website

https://staar.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ:STAA) designs and markets Implantable Collamer Lenses (EVO ICL family) that correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It sells through direct subsidiaries and distributors in 75+ countries to ophthalmic surgeons and refractive surgery centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Medical Devices

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Refractive Surgery Systems (Excimer/Femtosecond Lasers, Phakic IOL Systems, Wavefront/Guidance) (HLAHAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics) (HLAHAJAH)

Keywords

• Implantable collamer lenses
• Refractive surgical implants
• Phakic intraocular lenses
• Ophthalmic medical devices
• Vision correction implants

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs): STAAR Surgical generates revenue primarily from the sale of its implantable collamer lenses including EVO ICL, EVO+ ICL, and Visian ICL product families. These products are sold globally through a network of independent distributors and direct subsidiary operations in key markets. Revenue is recognized upon shipment of products to distributors and end customers.
2. Delivery Systems and Accessories: The company sells companion delivery systems and accessories required for ICL implantation procedures. These products complement the core lens portfolio and provide recurring revenue opportunities from existing surgeon customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

STAAR Surgical designs, develops, manufactures, and markets implantable Collamer lenses (ICLs) — including the EVO ICL, EVO+ ICL, and Visian ICL product families — and companion delivery systems used by ophthalmic surgeons to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The foldable lenses are inserted through a small incision and placed behind the iris to provide visual freedom, lessening or eliminating reliance on glasses or contact lenses.

Product overview

STAAR Surgical Company offers a portfolio of implantable collamer lenses (ICLs) designed to provide visual freedom by reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. The product line centers on three main refractive solutions: EVO ICL, EVO+ ICL, and Visian ICL. All lenses are made from STAAR's proprietary biocompatible Collamer material and are foldable, allowing insertion through small incisions. The EVO+ represents an enhanced iteration with improved optics, while Visian ICL serves as the earlier-generation product. These lenses are implanted behind the iris in a minimally invasive procedure and are designed to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EVO ICL: Implantable Collamer Lens for vision correction - flagship product line for refractive surgery
• EVO+ ICL
• Visian ICL
• Collamer

Products and services

• EVO ICL Implantable Collamer Lens made from STAAR's proprietary biocompatible Collamer material; foldable for insertion through a small incision and placed behind the iris to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, reducing or eliminating dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Designed for ophthalmic surgeons and refractive surgery practices.
• EVO+ ICL Enhanced version of the EVO ICL with improved optical properties for better visual outcomes; corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism through a quick, minimally invasive procedure using STAAR's foldable Collamer lens technology.
• Visian ICL Earlier-generation implantable collamer lens product line that provides visual freedom by reducing reliance on corrective eyewear through placement behind the iris using foldable Collamer lens technology.
• Companion Delivery Systems and Accessories Delivery systems and accessories required for ICL implantation procedures, sold alongside the lens portfolio to ophthalmic surgeons.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.4% of patients surveyed would have the ICL procedure again (STAAR Surgical ICL Data Registry, 2018)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IQ Laser VisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 May 2024Strategic agreement in the United States with IQ Laser Vision for distribution and promotion of EVO ICL products, announced in May 2024.
• Aier Eye Hospital GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2016Strategic cooperation agreement with Aier Eye Hospital Group, China's largest eye hospital network, for market development and collaboration in China announced in February 2016.
• ASCRS FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTAAR Surgical is a Proud Partner with the ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery) Foundation for ophthalmic education and awareness initiatives.
• International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTAAR Surgical is a Proud Sponsor of the International Society of Refractive Surgery, supporting global refractive surgery education and advancement.
• International Council of Ophthalmology FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTAAR Surgical is a Proud Supporter of the International Council of Ophthalmology Foundation's Teaching the Teachers Initiative for ophthalmic training.
• Ophthalmic World Leaders (OWL)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTAAR Surgical is a Proud Sponsor and Partner with Ophthalmic World Leaders, a global organization supporting ophthalmic professionals.
• Beyond BlindnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTAAR Surgical is a Proud Sponsor and Partner with Beyond Blindness, supporting vision-related community initiatives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alcon: Global leader in ophthalmic surgical devices, including IOLs used in cataract and refractive surgery. Alcon attempted to acquire STAAR in 2025-2026 for $1.6B, indicating direct product overlap in the refractive surgical lens space.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec: Manufactures refractive surgery lasers (LASIK/SMILE) and ophthalmic surgical microscopes. Directly competes for refractive surgery market share against STAAR's lens-based ICL approach.
• Nidek Co., Ltd. Japanese manufacturer of refractive surgery lasers and ophthalmic surgical equipment. Directly competes in the refractive surgery systems market with STAAR's lens-based approach.
• HOYA Corporation (HOYA Surgical Optics): Manufacturer of intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataract and refractive surgery, including phakic IOLs. Competes with STAAR in the implantable lens category.

Emerging players

• Glaukos Corporation: Ophthalmic medical device company expanding beyond MIGS into interventional眼科 and refractive-adjacent areas. Comparable as a focused ophthalmic surgical device specialist serving surgeons.
• RxSight: Maker of light-adjustable IOLs for cataract and refractive surgery. Targets the same premium surgical lens market with a post-implantation adjustable approach, representing a competing lens-based alternative.
• Lensar Inc. Developer of the ALLEGRETTO refractive surgery laser platform and next-generation cataract surgery systems. Competes for refractive procedure volumes against STAAR's ICL approach.

Broad incumbents

• CooperVision: Major contact lens manufacturer addressing the same myopia correction category as STAAR's ICL. Represents the consumable lens alternative that ICL procedures compete against for vision correction share.
• Bausch + Lomb (B+L): Broad ophthalmic portfolio including IOLs, refractive surgery equipment, and vision care products. Overlapping customer base of ophthalmic surgeons and refractive surgery centers.
• Johnson & Johnson Vision (J&J Vision / AMO): Major ophthalmic surgical franchise offering IOLs, refractive surgery (LASIK) equipment, and contact lenses. Serves the same refractive surgeon channel with both lens-based and laser-based alternatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/visianicl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeIQskXc99nML8y3C7F9pOQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/visianicl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/staar-surgical
• Instagraminstagram.com/evoicl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about STAAR Surgical Company