STAAR Surgical Company (STAA)

STAAR Surgical Company, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and sells intraocular lenses (IOL), implantable collamer lenses (ICL), and ophthalmic surgical products used primarily in cataract and refractive surgery. The companys IOL products include silicone Toric IOL, which is used in cataract surgery for the treatment of preexisting astigmatism; The Preloaded Injector, a three-piece silicone or acrylic IOL preloaded into a single-use disposable injector; and Aspheric three-piece IOLs that provides a clearer image in low light. Its ICL products comprise the VISIAN ICL and VISIAN Toric ICL for the treatment of refractive disorders, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. STAAR Surgical Companys ophthalmic surgical products consist of STAARVISC II, a viscoelastic material, which is used as a protective lubricant and to maintain the shape of the eye during surgery; Cruise Control, a single-use disposable filter that allows for a faster and cleaner phacoemulsification procedure; and the AquaFlow Collagen Glaucoma Drainage Device, an implantable device used for the surgical treatment of glaucoma. The company also distributes implantable lenses, related surgical equipment, consumables, and other supplies. It sells and markets its products to ophthalmologists and health care providers, including surgical centers, hospitals, managed care providers, health maintenance organizations, group purchasing organizations, and government facilities under the Visian Collamer STAARVISC Elastimide, SonicWAVE, and AquaFlow brand names. STAAR Surgical Company operates in the United States, Switzerland, Japan, and Germany. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Monrovia, California.

For the six months ended 30 June 2006, STAAR Surgical Company's revenues rose 1% to $27.9M. Net loss rose 48% to $6.6M. Revenues reflect an increase in U.S. net sales due to the approval of the Visian ICL for the treatment of myopia as well as improved cataract sales. Higher loss reflects a rise in general & administrative expenses due to higher insurance costs and an increase in marketing & selling costs.