Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
IRIDEX is an ophthalmic medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of breakthrough products and procedures used to treat sight-threatening eye conditions, including glaucoma and retinal diseases.
Our propriety MicroPulse® Technology and Endpoint ManagementTM Technology are used for the treatment of glaucoma and retina disorders. Both technologies are offered as optional treatment modes in select laser consoles in addition to the standard continuous-wave (“CW”) treatment mode. They allow low-energy, subvisible, tissue-sparing laser therapy by different means: MicroPulse technology uses short, microsecond-long laser pulses that allow tissue to cool between pulses giving physicians finer control of thermal elevation to minimize tissue damage. Endpoint Management technology uses a delivery algorithm to titrate the laser energy. CW laser photocoagulation can stabilize vision over the long term but can also result in varying degrees of vision loss. Both MicroPulse and Endpoint Management technologies have demonstrated clinical efficacy with a safer profile compared to standard high-energy CW laser for the treatment of both retinal diseases and glaucoma.
Our products consist of laser consoles, delivery devices and consumable probes.
Our laser consoles consist of the following product lines:
•
Glaucoma – Our primary glaucoma console line is the Cyclo G6® laser system with MicroPulse technology. In addition, our medical retina consoles have features supporting glaucoma laser treatments.
•
Medical Retina – Our medical-retina product line includes our portable IQ 532® and IQ 577® laser systems with MicroPulse technology; and the Pattern Scanning Laser (“PASCAL”) System, an integrated workstation with Endpoint Management technology and MicroPulse technology. These systems are ideal for multispecialty practices because these lasers also can be used to treat glaucoma, i.e., single-spot laser trabeculoplasty using MicroPulse technology, iridotomy, and iridectomy using the IQ lasers; and pattern scanning laser trabeculoplasty (“PSLT”) using the PASCAL laser system.
•
Surgical Retina – Our surgical-retina product line includes our OcuLight® TX and OcuLight® SLx (with MicroPulse technology) laser photocoagulation systems. These systems are often used in vitrectomy procedures, which are used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, retinal tears and detachments.
Our business generates recurring revenues through sales of consumable products, predominantly single-use laser probe devices and other instrumentation, as well as repair, service and extended service contracts for our laser systems.
Our laser probes consist of the following product lines:
•
Glaucoma – Probes used in our glaucoma product line include our patented single-use delivery devices - MicroPulse P3®, G-Probe®, and G-Probe Illuminate®.
•
Surgical Retina – Probes used in our surgical-retina product line include our family of single-use EndoProbe® handpieces.
Ophthalmologists typically use our laser systems in hospital operating rooms and ambulatory surgical centers, as well as their offices and clinics. In operating rooms and ambulatory surgical centers, ophthalmologists use our laser systems with either an indirect laser ophthalmoscope or a single-use consumable probe, including MicroPulse P3®, G-Probe® and G-Probe Illuminate® delivery devices, and EndoProbe handpieces. In the offices and clinics, ophthalmologists use our laser systems with either an indirect laser ophthalmoscope or a slit-lamp adapter. Our proprietary MicroPulse® and Continuous Wave laser therapies for glaucoma have been adopted by physicians around the globe as effective tools for managing and slowing the progression of glaucoma.
In fiscal years 2025 and 2024, our products were sold in the United States and Germany predominantly through a direct sales force and internationally (aside from Germany) primarily through independent distributors.Total revenues in fiscal years 2025 and 2024 were $52.7 million and $48.7 million, respectively. We generated net losses of $4.4 million and $8.9 million in fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Sales to international distributors are made on open credit terms or letters of credit and are currently denominated in U.S. dollars and accordingly, are not subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations. However, increases in the value of the U.S. dollar against any local currencies could cause our products to become relatively more expensive to customers in a particular country or region, leading to reduced revenue or profitability in that country or region. Sales to direct end users transacted through our German office are denominated in Euros and are subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations.
Our overall manufacturing strategy is to continuously develop and refine our processes to achieve our objectives of continuity of supply, quality of supply and margin enhancement. Over time, this may lead to in-sourcing or outsourcing certain functions, including manufacturing, in various geographic locations in order to achieve our objectives. Cost of revenues consists primarily of our direct manufacturing costs which include the cost of components and sub-systems,
40
assembling, packaging, shipping and testing components at our facility, direct labor and associated overhead, warranty, royalty and amortization of intangible assets and depot service costs. For certain of our products, we are responsible for the cost of the fully assembled product that is manufactured by a third-party.
Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, materials to support new product development and research support provided to clinicians at medical institutions developing new applications, which utilize our products and regulatory expenses. Research and development costs have been expensed as incurred.
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of costs of personnel, sales commissions, travel expenses, advertising and promotional expenses.
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of costs of personnel, legal, accounting and other public company costs, insurance and other expenses not allocated to other departments.
Impact of the recent Local Coverage Determination on our Business
In 2024, Local Coverage Determination ("LCD") L37531, which relates to Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), was adopted and became effective for services performed on or after November 17, 2024. We believe the reimbursement limitations created by the LCD has increased physician interest in and use of our advanced laser-based treatments for glaucoma.
The LCD clarifies that treatments performed using our laser consoles and probes are not MIGS procedures, and thus, our Cyclo G6® product family is unaffected by the new reimbursement limitations.
In addition to creating some reimbursement advantages for our glaucoma treatments in the United States, the LCD creates opportunity to capture more physician attention to the significant clinical benefits of our products, particularly MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy (MPTLT). Our laser procedures are noninvasive, repeatable, and can be utilized to treat patients across a far broader range of glaucoma’s progression, whether before, after, or even coincident to MIGS procedures.
Moreover, the LCD provides the following reimbursement limitations:
1.
MIGS is not considered a first line treatment for mild-moderate glaucoma.
2.
A combination of a surgical MIGS procedure and an aqueous shunt cannot be performed at the same time of service in the same eye.
3.
Phacoemulsification/intraocular lens placement performed with a combination of MIGS procedures, (e.g., cataract + stent + canaloplasty or goniotomy) at the same time of service in the same eye is non-covered.
Impact of Macroeconomic Conditions to our Business
Current macroeconomic conditions exhibit challenges that can affect capital equipment purchasing demand and timing, including recessionary fears, tariffs, trade wars, unexpected changes in taxes or policies, inflation concerns, changing interest rates, as well as other geopolitical uncertainties and conflicts, have impacted and may continue to impact business spending and the economy as a whole. As a result, we have seen customers extend purchase decision cycles.
The macroeconomic conditions on our business and operations remain uncertain, and it is not possible for us to predict the duration and extent to which they will affect our business, future results of operations, and financial condition.
For more information on risks associated with the current macroeconomic conditions, see the sections titled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I.
Results of Operations - Fiscal Years 2025 and 2024
Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2025 ended on January 3, 2026 and fiscal year 2024 ended on December 28, 2024. Fiscal year 2025 included 53 weeks of operations and 2024 included 52 weeks.
41
The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated.
Year Ended
Operating expenses:
Research and development 7.0 % 11.2 %
Sales and marketing 19.7 % 25.8 %
General and administrative 14.7 % 20.1 %
Total operating expenses 41.4 % 57.1 %
Loss from operations (4.9 %) (17.0 %)
Other income (expense), net (3.4 %) (1.1 %)
Loss from operations before provision for income taxes (8.3 %) (18.1 %)
Provision for income taxes 0.1 % 0.1 %
Comparison of Fiscal Years 2025 and 2024
Revenues
Year Ended Change in $ Change in %
Our total revenues increased by $4.0 million, or 8.2%, from $48.7 million in 2024 to $52.7 million in fiscal year 2025. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by higher retina system sales, including Pascal sales, glaucoma probe sales and an extra selling week in the fiscal year.
While we believe that the market for our products remains strong, the overall capital expenditure landscape within hospitals, surgical centers and physician offices may continue to be negatively impacted by persistent macroeconomic concerns discussed above.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased by $0.3 million, or 1.4%, from $19.5 million in 2024 to $19.2 million in fiscal year 2025. Gross margin decreased by 3.6% from 40.1% in 2024 to 36.5% in fiscal year 2025. Gross margin decreased primarily due to inventory write‐downs, increased product costs associated with recent tariff developments, and lower capitalization of manufacturing overhead as inventory levels declined.
Gross margins may fluctuate due to changes in the relative proportion of domestic and international sales, the product mix of sales, introduction of new products, manufacturing variances, total unit volume changes, responses to the evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, including tariffs and trade wars, and other factors.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses decreased by $1.8 million, or 32.7%, from $5.4 million in 2024 to $3.7 million in fiscal year 2025. The decrease was related to our cost savings measures we implemented, resulting in lower headcount expenses. Spending on investment in new and expanded products was also curtailed.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $2.2 million, or 17.4%, from $12.6 million in 2024 to $10.4 million in fiscal year 2025. The decrease in fiscal year 2025 was related to our cost savings measures, including reductions in workforce that resulted in lower headcount expenses and lower tradeshows and promotional expenses.
42
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses decreased by $2.0 million, or 20.9% from $9.8 million in 2024 to $7.7 million in fiscal year 2025. The decrease was a primarily due to a decrease in consulting costs and deal related legal expenses.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other expense, net, was $1.8 million in fiscal year 2025, driven primarily by the costs associated with the settlement of the Lind Note. Other expense, net, was $0.5 million in fiscal year 2024, consisting of interest and amortization of loan expenses related to the Lind Note transaction and foreign currency loss.
Income Taxes
We recorded a provision for income taxes of $57 thousand for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2026 compared to provision for income of $68 thousand for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024. The effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2026 was -1.3% compared to an effective rate of -0.8% for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024. Our effective tax rate decrease is due mainly to the change in valuation allowance. At the end of fiscal year 2025, the valuation allowance totaled $27.5 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our obligations and commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate financing or to raise capital.
Comparison of Fiscal Years 2025 and 2024
As of January 3, 2026, we had cash and cash equivalents of $6.0 million and working capital of $12.0 million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $2.4 million and working capital of $7.0 million as of December 28, 2024.
Net cash used in operating activities was $2.1 million in 2025 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $7.3 million in 2024. The decrease in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to reduction in net loss and reduction in inventory.
During fiscal year 2025, net cash used in investing activities was $143 thousand for capital expenditures. During fiscal year 2024, net cash used in investing activities was $13 thousand for capital expenditures.
During fiscal year 2025, net cash provided by financing activities was $6.0 million, primarily from net proceeds of $10.0 million from issuances of Series B preferred stock and a convertible note payable to Novel Inspiration International Co., Ltd (“Novel”), offset by a $4.0 million early prepayment of convertible debt and taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards. During fiscal year 2024, net cash provided by financing activities was $2.6 million, primarily from net proceeds of $3.4 million from issuance of a senior convertible promissory note payable to Lind Global Asset Management IX LLC (“Lind”) partially offset by $0.5 million debt issuance costs and $0.2 million payments to the note were payable to Lind.
We have historically funded our operations primarily through sales of our products to customers, and through common stock and borrowing arrangements. As of January 3, 2026, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $6.0 million. We have incurred net losses over the last several years, and as of January 3, 2026, have an accumulated deficit of approximately $92.4 million. We may continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows from operations.
Management evaluates whether there are relevant conditions and events that, in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.
On March 19, 2025, the Company entered into the Novel Securities Agreement and the Novel Note Purchase Agreement with Novel. Pursuant to the Novel Securities Agreement and the Novel Note Purchase Agreement, Novel has the right to purchase additional convertible promissory notes (the “Growth Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000. The Growth Notes are issuable in three installments, with one third of the aggregate principal amount issuable upon each yearly anniversary after March 19, 2025. We have not issued any Growth Notes, but may do so in the future.
We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs over the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our growth rates, the timing and extent of our spending to support research and development activities, the timing and cost of establishing additional sales and marketing capabilities, the introduction of new and enhanced products and our costs to implement new manufacturing technologies. In the event that additional financing is required from outside sources, we may not be able to raise it on terms acceptable to us or at all. Any debt financing obtained by us in the future could also involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital-raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities, including potential acquisitions. Additionally, if we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution in their percentage ownership
43
of our company, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of holders of our common stock. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us, when we require it, our ability to continue to grow or support our business and to respond to business challenges could be significantly limited.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues arise from the sale of laser consoles, delivery devices, consumables, service, and support activities. We also derive revenue from royalties from third parties which are typically based on the licensees’ net sales of products that utilize our technology. Our revenue is recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” We recognize revenue using the five-step model: (1) identifying the contract with the customer, (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining expected transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the distinct performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied.
We have the following revenue transaction types: (1) Product Sale Only, (2) Service Contracts, (3) System Repairs (outside of warranty), (4) Royalty Revenue and (5) Exclusive Distribution Rights.
(1)
Product Sale Only: Our products consist of laser consoles, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation, including laser probes. Our products are currently sold for use by ophthalmologists specializing in the treatment of glaucoma and retinal diseases. Inside the United States and Germany the products are sold directly to the end users. In other countries outside of the United States and Germany, we utilize independent, third-party distributors to market and sell our products. There is no continuing obligation after shipment is made to these distributors.
We recognize revenue from product sales at a point in time subject to the allocation of transaction price to additional performance obligations, if any.
(2)
Service Contracts: We offer a standard two-year warranty on all system sales. We also offer a service contract which is sold to customers in incremental, one-year periods that begin subsequent to the expiration of the standard two-year warranty. The customer can opt to purchase the service contract at the time of the system sale or after the initial system sale.
We recognize revenue from service contracts ratably over the service period. Revenue recognition for the sale of a service contract is largely dependent on the timing of the sale as follows:
a.
Service Contract Sale in Conjunction with System Sale: If the customer opts to purchase a service contract at the time of the system sale, we allocate the transaction price of the distinct performance obligations in the contract by determining stand-alone selling price using historical pricing net of any variable consideration or discounts to specifically allocate to a particular performance obligation.
b.
Service Contract Sale Subsequent to System Sale: If the customer opts to purchase a service contract after the initial system sale, we determine the amount of time that has elapsed since the initial system sale. If the service contract is purchased within 60 days of the initial sale, we consider this sale to be an additional element of the original sale and allocate the transaction price of the distinct performance obligations in the contract by determining stand-alone selling price using historical pricing net of any variable consideration or discounts to specifically allocate to a particular performance obligation. If the service contract is purchased subsequent to 60 days after the initial sale, the sale of the service contract is deemed a separate contract and is deferred at the selling price and recognized ratably over the extended warranty period as the performance obligation is satisfied.
(3)
System Repairs (outside of warranty): Customers will occasionally request repairs from us subsequent to the expiration of the standard warranty and outside of a service contract.
We recognize revenue from system repairs (outside of warranty) at a point in time. When the customer requests repairs from us subsequent to the expiration of the standard warranty and outside of a service contract, these repair contracts are considered separate from the initial sale. As such, revenue is recognized as the repair services are rendered and the performance obligation satisfied.
(4)
Royalty Revenue: We have royalty agreements with two customers related to the sale of our intellectual property. Under the terms of these agreements, one customer is to remit a percentage of sales to us as the sales occur and one customer is to remit fixed amount royalty payments based on the quantity sold as the sales occur.
The arrangements with three customers are for sales-based licenses of intellectual property, for which the guidance in paragraph ASC 606-10-55-65 applies. Therefore, we recognize revenue at a point in time, only as the
44
subsequent sale occurs. However, we note that such sales being reported by the licensee with a quarter in arrears, such revenue is recognized at the time it is reported and paid by the licensee given that any estimated variable consideration would have to be fully constrained due to the unpredictability of such estimate and the unavoidable risk that it may lead to significant revenue reversals. For the arrangement with one customer, we concluded that there is one combined performance obligation to be satisfied. Therefore, we recognize revenue related to this arrangement over time.
(5)
Exclusive Distribution Rights: On March 2, 2021, the Company and Topcon Corporation (“Topcon”) entered into a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted Topcon the exclusive right to distribute the Company’s retina and glaucoma products in certain geographies outside the United States. The exclusivity arrangement with Topcon obligates the Company to provide training, customer support, and exclusive territorial rights to Topcon for certain international regions, for a period of 10 years, commencing upon regulatory approval to transfer existing (non-exclusive) distribution rights from the current distributors in those regions to Topcon. The Company has the right to terminate the exclusive distribution rights granted to Topcon for any of the regions at any point in time during the 10 year exclusivity term for a termination fee that is based on a multiple of 1.2 times the revenue generated by the Company in 2019 for the respective region. Management has determined that the exclusivity rights, training, and customer support represents a single combined performance obligation for each region, to be recognized as exclusivity fee revenue on a straight-line basis over the 10 year period for each region, commencing on the date that regulatory approval is obtained for each region, based on the standalone selling price for such combined performance obligation for each region. The estimated fair value of the exclusive distribution rights for all regions combined totaled approximately $14.8 million. Of this amount, management has fully-constrained and returned to Topcon the arrangement fee allocated to Belarus (approximately $0.2 million) because obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and termination of existing distributor relationship was not feasible. During both the fiscal years ended 2025 and 2024, $1.5 million in revenue related to the exclusive distribution rights was recorded.
Costs of Obtaining Revenue Contracts
The Company recognized assets from certain costs incurred to obtain revenue contracts. These costs relate to sales commissions arising from the sale of our products. The costs are considered incremental and recoverable of obtaining revenue contracts with customers. These deferred costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of benefit, which typically ranges from 2 to 3 years. As of January 3, 2026, the Company had fully recognized deferred costs incurred to obtain revenue contracts with customers, which amounts were previously included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other long-term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense was $23 thousand and $0.2 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024. There were no impairment expenses for both the fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Sales commissions that do not represent incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract are expensed as incurred. As a practical expedient, the Company will not recognize such sales commission as a contract asset but rather recognize as expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the Company would have otherwise recognized is one year or less.
Contract Fulfillment Costs
The Company recognized an asset from the costs incurred to fulfill a contract. These costs relate directly and must be incurred to satisfy performance obligations on certain specific contract with a customer. These costs are expected to be recovered over time and are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the recognition of revenue to which it relates. As of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, we recognized deferred costs incurred to fulfill a contract with a customer, net of accumulated amortization, of $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and included these amounts in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other long-term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense was $83 thousand, for both fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024. There were no impairment expenses for both the fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include on-hand inventory physically held at our facility, sales demo inventory and service loaner inventory. Cost is determined on a standard cost basis which approximates actual cost on a First-in, First-out ("FIFO") method. Lower of cost or net realizable value is evaluated by considering obsolescence, excessive levels of inventory, deterioration and other factors. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, are made for estimated excess, obsolete or impaired inventory and are charged to cost of revenues. Once the cost of the inventory is reduced, a new lower-cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Factors influencing these adjustments include changes in demand, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends,
45
product pricing, physical deterioration and quality issues. Revisions to these adjustments would be required if these factors differ from our estimates.
Provision for Credit Loss and Sales Returns
We estimate future sales returns related to current period product revenue. We analyze historical returns, and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns allowance. Significant management judgment and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns allowance in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Our provision for sales returns is recorded net of the associated costs.
Similarly, management must make estimates regarding the collectability of accounts receivable. We are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-payment by customers to the extent of amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. As sales increase the level of accounts receivable would likely also increase. In addition, in the event that customers were to delay their payments to us, the levels of accounts receivable would likely also increase. We maintain provision for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The provision for credit losses is based on past payment history with the customer, analysis of the customer’s current financial condition, the aging of the accounts receivable balance, customer concentration and other known factors.
Warranty
We provide reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized based on historical experience of known product failure rates and expected material and labor costs to provide warranty services. We generally provide a two-year warranty on our products. Additionally, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if unforeseen technical problems arise. Alternatively, if estimates are determined to be greater than the actual amounts necessary, we may reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods. Our warranty policy is applicable to products which are considered defective in their performance or fail to meet the product specifications. Warranty costs are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as cost of revenues.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Under ASC 740, the liability method is used in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We annually evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets by assessing our valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include our forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. In 2025, based on the Company’s history of earnings and forecasted losses, management continued to conclude that, on a more-likely-than-not basis, its deferred tax assets were not realizable. Accordingly, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance against its federal and state deferred tax assets that was initially recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax provision that an entity takes or expects to take in a tax return. Additionally, ASC 740 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. Under ASC 740, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more-likely-than-not" threshold. In accordance with our accounting policy, we recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There was no accrued interest and penalties during the fiscal year ended January 3, 2026.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation granted to employees and directors, including employees’ stock option awards and restricted stock units at grant date, based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation is recognized as expense on a ratable basis over the requisite service period of the award.
We value options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Time-based restricted stock units are valued at the grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. Performance-based restricted stock units without market conditions are valued at grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. Performance-based restricted stock units granted with market conditions and performance-based stock options with market conditions are valued using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions which determine the fair value of stock-based awards, including the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying
46
stock. The Monte Carlo simulation model incorporates assumptions for the holding period, risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility and dividend yield.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, net and Operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. As of January 3, 2026, we were not a party to finance lease arrangements.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Under the available practical expedient, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
Foreign Currency
Assets and liabilities of foreign operations with non-U.S. dollar functional currency are translated to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenue and expenses are translated to U.S. dollars using rates that approximate those in effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets in the stockholders’ equity section as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Variable Interest Entities
As of January 3, 2026, the Company consolidated a new foreign subsidiary in accordance with accounting standards for consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company consolidates the subsidiary because it is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests in these entities were immaterial and $0 as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, respectively. The Company will consolidate certain general and administrative expenses of this subsidiary. The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to the above consolidated VIE, net of intercompany eliminations, were both $74 thousand, as of January 3, 2026, and both $0 as of December 28, 2024. The Company’s financial risk in the VIE primarily includes its equity investment in the VIE and liabilities related to an office lease.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topics 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” to expand the disclosure requirements for income taxes, specifically related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company’s annual periods after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted this ASU during the fourth fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2025. The adopted ASU had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements as it only impacted disclosures.
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses”, which requires disclosure of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items on an annual and interim basis. This update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. As this accounting standard only impacts disclosures, it will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets”, providing a practical expedient available for all entities to assume that current conditions as of the balance sheet date remain unchanged for the asset’s remaining life. This update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
47
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
As a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, we are not required to provide the information called for by this Item.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Our consolidated balance sheets as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024 and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of our fiscal years 2025 and 2024 together with the related notes and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm, are on the following pages. Additional required financial information is described in Item 15.
48
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
IRIDEX Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IRIDEX Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 3, 2026, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 3, 2026, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Inventory Valuation - Adjustments for Excess or Obsolete Inventories
As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has inventories with a carrying value of $7.9 million as of January 3, 2026. The Company’s inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on a standard cost basis which approximates actual cost on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Lower of cost or net realizable value is evaluated by considering obsolescence, excessive levels of inventory, deterioration, and other factors. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, are made for estimated excess, obsolescence or impaired inventory and are charged to cost of revenues. The Company’s inventories include demonstration units (“demos”) to facilitate the sale of products to prospective customers and loaners for existing customers to use while their product is under repair.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to net realizable value adjustments to inventories is a critical audit matter are the significant amount of judgment by management in developing the assumptions of the forecasted changes in demand, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, physical deterioration and quality issues, which in turn led to significant auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing audit procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to these factors. Additionally, for certain new product launches there may be limited historical data with which to evaluate forecasts.
49
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included obtaining an understanding of the Company’s inventory reserve review process, including the assumptions and data underlying the excess and obsolete inventory valuation. The procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the estimate of the adjustments for excess or obsolete inventories, testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used in the estimate, and evaluating management’s assumptions of forecasted product demand. Evaluating management’s demand forecast for reasonableness involved considering historical sales by product, comparing prior period estimates to actual results, and determining whether the demand forecast used was consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
/s/ BPM LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
San Jose, California
April 2, 2026
50
Iridex Corporation
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,028 $ 2,387
Receivable from related party 1,932 2,443
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,802 1,964
Property and equipment, net 58 115
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 768 1,792
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Payable to related party 117 609
Convertible note payable, current — 1,734
Operating lease liabilities, current 699 1,094
Long-term liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities 98 811
Other long-term liabilities 387 314
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value
Common stock, $0.01 par value:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (14 ) 51
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 29,151 $ 29,135
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
51
Iridex Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended
Operating expenses:
Loss from operations before provision for income taxes (4,380 ) (8,842 )
Provision for income taxes 57 68
Net loss per share:
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per common share:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
52
Iridex Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands)
Year Ended
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (65 ) 103
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
53
Iridex Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share data)
Preferred Stock Common Stock
Issuance of common stock under the stock option plan — — 2,010 — 4 — — 4
Issuance of incentive shares under convertible note — — 126,968 1 249 — — 250
Stock-based compensation — — — — 1,243 — — 1,243
Release of restricted stock, net of taxes paid — — 254,589 1 (59 ) — — (58 )
Other comprehensive loss — — — — — 103 (57 ) 46
Stock-based compensation — — — — 775 — — 775
Release of restricted stock, net of taxes paid — — 166,011 — (75 ) — — (75 )
Other comprehensive loss — — — — — (65 ) — (65 )
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
54
Iridex Corporation
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year Ended
Operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Loss on inventory write-down 823 —
Loss on extinguishment of convertible note payable 1,335 —
Depreciation and amortization 523 584
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets 1,024 840
Accretion of original issue discount 58 146
Amortization of debt issuance costs 169 182
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivable from related party 511 484
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 162 (1,108 )
Other long-term assets 270 2
Payable to related party (492 ) 381
Accrued compensation 668 53
Operating lease liabilities (1,108 ) (841 )
Net cash used in operating activities (2,115 ) (7,285 )
Investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (143 ) (13 )
Net cash used in investing activities (143 ) (13 )
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible note payable 4,000 3,370
Cash paid for debt issuance costs — (493 )
Proceeds for stock option exercises — 4
Payments on convertible note payable (3,961 ) (218 )
Proceeds from issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock 6,000 —
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards (75 ) (58 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 5,964 2,605
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes (65 ) 46
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,641 (4,647 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 2,387 7,034
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 6,028 $ 2,387
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for income taxes $ (22 ) $ 15
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Debt issuance cost $ 360 $ -
ROU assets obtained with acquisition of operating lease $ 78 $ -
Issuance of incentive shares under convertible note payable $ - $ 250
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
55
Iridex Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization
Description of Business.
IRIDEX Corporation (“Iridex,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading worldwide provider of therapeutic based laser systems, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation used to treat sight-threatening eye diseases in ophthalmology. The Company's ophthalmology products are sold in the United States and Germany predominantly through a direct sales force and internationally (aside from Germany) primarily through independent distributors.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Financial Statement Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Iridex and the Company's wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation.
The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2025 ended on January 3, 2026 (“fiscal year 2025”), which had 53 weeks of operations. Fiscal 2024 ended on December 28, 2024 (“fiscal year 2024”), which had 52 weeks of operations.
Use of Estimates.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In addition, any change in these estimates or their related assumptions could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with insignificant interest rate risk and an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash equivalents consist primarily of cash deposits in money market funds that are available for withdrawal without restriction.
Accounts Receivable and Provision for Credit Losses
The Company has trade receivables with various individual customers such as private businesses, hospitals, universities, government and non-profit entities, and distributors. The Company has determined that geography is the similar risk characteristic to pool our trade receivables balances, and accordingly, groups such balances into either the domestic pool or the international pool. The domestic pool is primarily comprised of individual customers, and the international pool is primarily comprised of distributors. The total receivables as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024 were $9.5 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
The provision for credit losses represents an estimate of the lifetime expected credit losses inherent in trade receivables as of the consolidated balance sheet date. The Company assesses the adequacy of the provision for credit losses on a quarterly basis based on historical information and current economic conditions and forecasts. Subsequent changes in the provision for credit losses are recorded in current earnings and reversal of previous losses are permitted under the current guidance.
While we believe we have exercised prudent judgment and applied reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that in the future, changes in economic conditions or other factors would not cause changes in the financial health of our customers. If the financial health of our customers deteriorates, the timing and level of payments received could be impacted and therefore, could result in a change to our estimated losses.
The following table presents the activity in the provision for credit losses for accounts receivable by pool type for the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024 (in thousands):
56
Domestic International Total
Change to provision (51 ) (62 ) (113 )
Sales Returns Allowance
When determining the transaction price, The Company estimates the variable consideration as the most likely amount to which the Company expects to be entitled, and the Company includes the estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of the Company’s revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. The Company’s provision for sales returns is recorded net of the associated costs. As historically the returns have not been material, there was no provision for sales returns as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include on-hand inventory physically held at our facility, sales demo inventory and service loaner inventory. Cost is determined on a standard cost basis which approximates actual cost on a FIFO method. Lower of cost or net realizable value is evaluated by considering obsolescence, excessive levels of inventory, deterioration and other factors. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, are made for estimated excess, obsolescence or impaired inventory and are charged to cost of revenues. Once the cost of the inventory is reduced, a new lower-cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Factors influencing these adjustments include changes in demand, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, physical deterioration and quality issues. Revisions to these adjustments would be required if these factors differ from our estimates.
As part of our normal business, we generally utilize various finished goods inventory as either sales demos to facilitate the sale of our products to prospective customers, or as loaners that we allow our existing customers to use while we repair their products. The Company is amortizing these demos and loaners over an estimated useful life of four years. The amortization of the demos is charged to sales and marketing expense while the amortization on the loaners is charged to cost of revenues. The gross value of demos and loaners was $3.0 million and $2.6 million and the accumulated amortization was $2.9 million and $2.1 million as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, respectively. The net book value of demos and loaners is charged to cost of revenues if and when such demos or loaners are sold.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated on a straight–line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally three year. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Segment Reporting
The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM allocates resources and evaluates the performance of the Company at the consolidated level using information about its revenues, gross profit, income from operations, and other key financial data. All significant operating decisions are based upon an analysis of the Company as one operating segment, which is the same as its reporting segment.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, net and Operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of January 3, 2026, the Company was not a party to finance lease arrangements.
57
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Under the available practical expedient, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs an annual impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The Company has determined that it has a single reporting unit for purposes of performing its goodwill impairment test. As the Company uses the market approach to assess impairment, its common stock price is an important component of the fair value calculation. If the Company’s stock price continues to experience significant price and volume fluctuations, this will impact the fair value of the reporting unit and can lead to potential impairment in future periods. The Company performed its annual impairment test during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 and determined that its goodwill was not impaired. As of January 3, 2026, the Company had not identified any factors that indicated there was an impairment of its goodwill and determined that no additional impairment analysis was then required.
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the useful life of the asset. The Company reviews its amortizing intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the future non-discounted net cash flow the asset is expected to generate. If an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. In such circumstances, the Company conducts an impairment analysis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”).
Revenue Recognition
The Company's revenues arise from the sale of laser consoles, delivery devices, consumables, service, and support activities. The Company also derives revenue from royalties from third parties which are typically based on the licensees’ net sales of products that utilize our technology. The Company's revenue is recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The Company recognizes revenue using the five-step model: (1) identifying the contract with the customer, (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining expected transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the distinct performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company has the following revenue transaction types: (1) Product Sale Only, (2) Service Contracts, (3) System Repairs (outside of warranty), (4) Royalty Revenue and (5) Exclusive Distribution Rights.
(1)
Product Sale Only: The Company’s products consist of laser consoles, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation, including laser probes. The Company’s products are currently sold for use by ophthalmologists specializing in the treatment of glaucoma and retinal diseases. Inside the United States and Germany the products are sold directly to the end users. In other countries outside of the United States and Germany, the Company utilizes independent, third-party distributors to market and sell the Company’s products. There is no continuing obligation after shipment is made to these distributors.
The Company recognizes revenue from product sales at a point in time subject to the allocation of transaction price to additional performance obligations, if any.
(2)
Service Contracts: The Company offers a standard two-year warranty on all system sales. The Company also offers a service contract which is sold to customers in incremental, one-year periods that begin subsequent to the expiration of the standard two-year warranty. The customer can opt to purchase the service contract at the time of the system sale or after the initial system sale.
58
The Company recognizes revenue from service contracts ratably over the service period. Revenue recognition for the sale of a service contract is largely dependent on the timing of the sale as follows:
a.
Service Contract Sale in Conjunction with System Sale: If the customer opts to purchase a service contract at the time of the system sale, the Company allocates the transaction price of the distinct performance obligations in the contract by determining stand-alone selling price using historical pricing net of any variable consideration or discounts to specifically allocate to a particular performance obligation.
b.
Service Contract Sale Subsequent to System Sale: If the customer opts to purchase a service contract after the initial system sale, the Company determines the amount of time that has elapsed since the initial system sale. If the service contract is purchased within 60 days of the initial sale, the Company considers this sale to be an additional element of the original sale and allocates the transaction price of the distinct performance obligations in the contract by determining stand-alone selling price using historical pricing net of any variable consideration or discounts to specifically allocate to a particular performance obligation. If the service contract is purchased subsequent to 60 days after the initial sale, the sale of the service contract is deemed a separate contract and is deferred at the selling price and recognized ratably over the extended warranty period as the performance obligation is satisfied.
(3)
System Repairs (outside of warranty): Customers will occasionally request repairs from the Company subsequent to the expiration of the standard warranty and outside of a service contract.
The Company recognizes revenue from system repairs (outside of warranty) at a point in time. When the customer requests repairs from the Company subsequent to the expiration of the standard warranty and outside of a service contract, these repair contracts are considered separate from the initial sale. As such, revenue is recognized as the repair services are rendered and the performance obligation satisfied.
(4)
Royalty Revenue: The Company has royalty agreements with three customers related to the sale of the Company’s intellectual property. Under the terms of these agreements, two customers are to remit a percentage of sales to the Company as the sales occur and one customer made an upfront prepayment for royalties.
The arrangements with the three customers are for sales-based licenses of intellectual property, for which the guidance in paragraph ASC 606-10-55-65 applies. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue at a point in time, only as the subsequent sale occurs. However, the Company notes that such sales being reported by the licensees with a quarter in arrears, such revenue is recognized at the time it is reported and paid by the licensees given that any estimated variable consideration would have to be fully constrained due to the unpredictability of such estimate and the unavoidable risk that it may lead to significant revenue reversals. For the arrangement with one customer, the Company had concluded that there is one combined performance obligation to be satisfied. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue related to this arrangement over time.
(5)
Exclusive Distribution Rights: On March 2, 2021, the Company and Topcon Corporation (“Topcon”) entered into a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company granted Topcon the exclusive right to distribute the Company’s retina and glaucoma products in certain geographies outside the United States. The exclusivity arrangement with Topcon obligates the Company to provide training, customer support, and exclusive territorial rights to Topcon for certain international regions, for a period of 10 years, commencing upon regulatory approval to transfer existing (non-exclusive) distribution rights from the current distributors in those regions to Topcon. The Company has the right to terminate the exclusive distribution rights granted to Topcon for any of the regions at any point in time during the 10 year exclusivity term for a termination fee that is based on a multiple of 1.2 times the revenue generated by the Company in 2019 for the respective region. Management has determined that the exclusivity rights, training, and customer support represents a single combined performance obligation for each region, to be recognized as exclusivity fee revenue on a straight-line basis over the 10 year period for each region, commencing on the date that regulatory approval is obtained for each region, based on the standalone selling price for such combined performance obligation for each region. The estimated fair value of the exclusive distribution rights for all regions combined totaled approximately $14.8 million. Of this amount, management has fully-constrained and returned to Topcon the arrangement fee allocated to Belarus (approximately $0.2 million) because obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and termination of existing distributor relationship was not feasible. During both the fiscal years ended 2025 and 2024, $1.5 million in revenue related to the exclusive distribution rights was recorded.
Costs of Obtaining Revenue Contracts
The Company recognized assets from certain costs incurred to obtain revenue contracts. These costs relate to sales commissions arising from the sale of our products. The costs are considered incremental and recoverable of obtaining revenue contracts with customers. These deferred costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated period of benefit, which typically ranges from 2 to 3 years. As of January 3, 2026, the Company had fully recognized deferred costs incurred to obtain revenue contracts with customers, which amounts were previously included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other long-term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense was $23
59
thousand and $0.2 million, respectively, for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024. There were no impairment expenses for both the fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Sales commissions that do not represent incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract are expensed as incurred. As a practical expedient, the Company will not recognize such sales commission as a contract asset but rather recognize as expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that the Company would have otherwise recognized is one year or less.
Contract Fulfillment Costs
The Company recognized an asset from the costs incurred to fulfill a contract. These costs relate directly and must be incurred to satisfy performance obligations on certain specific contract with a customer. These costs are expected to be recovered over time and are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the recognition of revenue to which it relates. As of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, we recognized deferred costs incurred to fulfill a contract with a customer, net of accumulated amortization, of $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and included these amounts in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other long-term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization expense was $83 thousand, for both fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024. There were no impairment expenses for both the fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities
Total revenues are recognized net of taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue represents contract liabilities and exclusivity fees. Revenue related to service contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the applicable service contract. Costs associated with these service arrangements are recognized as incurred. Revenue related to exclusivity fees is deferred and recognized over the related exclusivity period.
A reconciliation of the changes in our deferred revenue balances for the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
Additions to deferral 1,177
Revenue recognized (3,080 )
Additions to deferral 1,382
Revenue recognized (2,947 )
During each of the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, approximately $2.1 million and $2.3 million were recognized pertaining to amounts deferred as of December 28, 2024 and as of December 30, 2023, respectively.
Warranty
The Company currently provides a two-year full warranty on its products. The associated costs of these warranties are accrued for upon shipment of the products. The Company’s warranty policy is applicable to products which are considered defective in their performance or fail to meet the product specifications. Warranty costs are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as costs of revenues.
As warranty reserves do not meet the criteria to have separate captions on the face of the consolidated balance sheets, we removed these captions and included those amounts in other current and long-term liabilities.
Shipping and Handling Costs
The Company’s shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in revenues and the associated expense is recorded in cost of revenues for all periods presented. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers amounted to $0.4 million and $0.3 million during fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred.
60
Advertising
Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as they are incurred; such costs were approximately $17 thousand in fiscal year 2025 and $20 thousand in fiscal year 2024 and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Under ASC 740, the liability method is used in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company annually evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets by assessing its valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include the Company's forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. In fiscal year 2025, based on the Company’s history of earnings and its forecasted losses, management believes on the more likely than not basis that a full valuation allowance is required. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company provided a full valuation allowance on its federal and states deferred tax assets.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax provision that an entity takes or expects to take in a tax return. Additionally, ASC 740 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. Under ASC 740, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more-likely-than-not" threshold. In accordance with our accounting policy, we recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There were no accrued interest and penalties during the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation granted to employees and directors, including employees stock option awards and restricted stock units in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation is recognized as expense on a ratable basis over the requisite service period of the award.
The Company values options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Time-based restricted stock units are valued at the grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. Performance-based restricted stock units without market conditions are valued at grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. Performance-based restricted stock units granted with market conditions and performance-based stock options with market conditions are valued using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions which determine the fair value of stock-based awards, including the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The Monte Carlo simulation model incorporates assumptions for the holding period, risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility and dividend yield.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited in demand and money market accounts. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and therefore, bear minimal risk.
The Company markets its products to distributors and end-users throughout the world. Sales to international distributors are generally made on open credit terms and letters of credit. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and maintains an allowance for potential credit losses. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant losses related to individual customers or a group of customers in any particular geographic area. For the year ended January 3, 2026, one customer, Topcon, accounted for greater than 10% of total revenues, representing 32%. For the year ended December 28, 2024, one customer, Topcon, accounted for greater than 10% of total revenues, representing 35%. For the year ended January 3, 2026, one customer, Topcon, accounted for over 10% of our receivables, representing 20%. As of December 28, 2024, one customer, Topcon, accounted for over 10% of our receivables, representing 29%.
The Company’s products require approvals from the Food and Drug Administration and international regulatory agencies prior to commercialized sales. Our future products may not receive the required approvals. If the Company was denied such approvals, or if such approvals were delayed, it would have a material adverse impact on its business, results of operations and financial condition.
61
Reliance on Certain Suppliers
Certain components and services used to manufacture and develop our products are presently available from only a few limited number of suppliers or vendors. The loss of any of these suppliers or vendors would potentially require a significant level of hardware and/or software development efforts to incorporate the products or services into the Company’s products.
Net Income (Loss) per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents consist of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and release (vesting) of restricted stock units and awards and are calculated under the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent shares from unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock units are excluded from the computation for periods in which we incur a net loss or if the exercise price of such options is greater than the average market price of our common stock for the period as their effect would be anti-dilutive. See Note 16 - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share.
Foreign Currency
Assets and liabilities of foreign operations with non-U.S. dollar functional currency are translated to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenue and expenses are translated to U.S. dollars using rates that approximate those in effect during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets in the stockholders’ equity section as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Service Arrangement
The Company’s ERP system operates in a cloud-based environment. The Company concluded that this cloud computing arrangement does not include a license, and therefore, will account for this arrangement as one that is a service contract. The Company capitalized $1.1 million in implementation costs and began utilizing the ERP system near the end of the third quarter of 2023 and is recognizing amortization of the capitalized implementation costs over five years on a straight-line basis. For the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, approximately $0.2 million of amortization expenses were recognized in each period.
Variable Interest Entities
As of January 3, 2026, the Company consolidated a new foreign subsidiary in accordance with accounting standards for consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company consolidates the subsidiary because it is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests in these entities were immaterial and $0 as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, respectively. The Company will consolidate certain general and administrative expenses of this subsidiary. The consolidated total assets and liabilities related to the above consolidated VIE, net of intercompany eliminations, were both $74 thousand, as of January 3, 2026, and both $0 as of December 28, 2024. The Company’s financial risk in the VIE primarily includes its equity investment in the VIE and liabilities related to an office lease.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topics 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” to expand the disclosure requirements for income taxes, specifically related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company’s annual periods after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted this ASU during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. The adopted ASU had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements as it only impacted disclosures.
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03 “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses”, which requires disclosure of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items on an annual and interim basis. This update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. As this accounting standard only impacts disclosures, it will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets”, providing a practical expedient available for all entities to assume that current conditions as of the balance sheet date remain unchanged for the asset’s remaining life. This update will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, and interim periods within those annual reporting periods.
62
Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3. Related Party - Topcon
As of January 3, 2026, Topcon holds a9.3% voting interest in the Company. It currently does not have significant influence over the Company’s operations.
Topcon resells certain of our products as our exclusive distributor in certain international regions. At the same time, the Company also purchases certain raw materials from Topcon. During fiscal year 2025, the Company’s revenues related to Topcon amounted to approximately $17.0 million, including $1.5 million recognized as exclusive distribution rights revenue. During fiscal year 2024, the Company’s revenues related to Topcon amounted to approximately $16.3 million, including $1.5 million recognized exclusive distribution rights revenue. The Company’s purchases from Topcon during fiscal year 2025 and 2024 amounted to $0.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively. As of January 3, 2026, the amounts receivable from and payable to Topcon were $1.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively. As of December 28, 2024, the amounts receivable from and payable to Topcon were $2.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
4. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
•
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities.
•
Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable inputs as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
•
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.
The carrying amounts of our financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses as of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The Company does not recognize any non-financial assets at fair value.
As of January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, financial assets and liabilities measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as described above were as follows (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets:
The Company’s Level 1 financial assets are money market funds whose fair values are based on quoted market prices. The Company does not have any Level 2 and Level 3 financial assets or liabilities.
63
5. Inventories
The components of our inventories are as follows (in thousands):
Work in process — —
6. Property and Equipment
The components of our property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (14,183 ) (13,983 )
Property and equipment, net $ 58 $ 115
Depreciation expense related to property and equipment was $200 thousand and $244 thousandfor the fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively.
7. Intangible Assets
The components of our purchased intangible assets as of January 3, 2026 are as follows (in thousands):
64
The components of our purchased intangible assets as of December 28, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
Aggregate amortization expense for fiscal years 2025 and 2024 were $0.3 million for each year. The amortization of developed technology was charged to research and development expense and the amortization of customer relations and trade names was charged to sales and marketing expense. We started amortization of in-process research and development in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022, as it was related to the release of a new system.
Estimated future amortization expense for purchased intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year:
8. Goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill was $965 thousand as of both January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024.
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs an annual impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from any tax-deductible goodwill carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The Company has determined that it has a single reporting unit for purposes of performing its goodwill impairment test. As the Company uses the market approach to assess impairment, the price of its common stock is an important component of the fair value calculation. If the Company’s common stock price continues to experience significant price and volume fluctuations, it will impact the fair value of the reporting unit and can lead to potential impairment in future periods. The Company performed its annual impairment test during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 and determined that its goodwill was not impaired. The determination of whether any potential impairment of goodwill exists is based upon an impairment test performed in accordance with ASC 350. There was no impairment of goodwill recognized during fiscal years 2025 and 2024.
65
9. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
The components of our accrued expenses and other current liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
Legal and professional fees $ 71 $ 156
Sales and marketing expenses 14 17
Temporary help and consulting 32 49
Other accrued expenses 323 48
Total accrued expenses $ 608 $ 477
Total other current liabilities $ 1,899 $ 1,812
10. Convertible Preferred Shares and Convertible Debt
On March 18, 2025, the Company filed a Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Certificate of Designation”) authorizing the Company to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of authorized undesignated preferred stock as shares of Series B Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). At the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on June 11, 2025 (the “Annual Meeting”), the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) in the form of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Restated Charter”) which, among other matters, authorized 1,000,000 shares are designated as Series B Preferred Stock and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, for a total of 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock and reestablished the designations, powers, preferences and relative and other special rights and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock, including the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock, which, with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock and except as noted in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 28, 2025 as supplemented by its definitive additional materials filed with the SEC on May 20, 2025 and June 2, 2025, are substantially the same rights for the Series B Preferred Stock as are provided for pursuant to the Series B Certificate of Designation. Following the stockholders’ approval of the form of Restated Charter, the Company filed the Restated Charter with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 11, 2025. Also, with the approval of the Restated Charter, certain provisions related to the Series B Preferred Stock were revised, allowing the Series B Preferred Stock to meet the definition of permanent equity from an accounting perspective. As a result, the Company reclassified the Series B Preferred Stock from mezzanine equity to permanent equity in the second fiscal quarter of 2025.
On March 19, 2025, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Novel Securities Agreement”) and a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Novel Note Purchase Agreement”) with Novel Inspirational International Co., Ltd. (“Novel”). Pursuant to the Novel Securities Agreement and the Novel Note Purchase Agreement, the Company issued 600,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock at $10.00 per share, initially convertible into 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share and an initial convertible promissory note in an aggregate principal amount of $4,000,000 (the “Initial Novel Note” and together with the Novel Growth Notes (as defined below), the “Novel Notes”). The Initial Novel Note is convertible into 400,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock.
Concurrently with the purchase of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and the Initial Novel Note, the Company also entered into an Investor Rights Agreement and an amendment to the Investor Rights Agreement (together, the “Rights Agreement”) with Novel, pursuant to which the Company has agreed to, among other matters, grant Novel certain rights, including: (i) registration rights and indemnification obligations related thereto; (ii) subject to certain restrictions (including satisfying certain beneficial ownership thresholds), the right to appoint and maintain two individuals to the Company’s board of directors; and (iii) the right to approve certain corporate actions of the Company.
The Initial Novel Note has a 36-month term and will bear interest at 12% per annum. Interest on the Initial Novel Note will be payable quarterly on the first business day of each calendar quarter, beginning on July 1, 2025, in a number of shares of the common stock equal to (i) the accrued and unpaid interest due on the applicable interest payment date divided by (ii) the greater of (a) the average closing price of the common stock for each trading day after March 19, 2025 in the calendar quarter immediately preceding such interest payment date and (b) a price floor of $0.21. The Initial Novel Note is convertible
66
at Novel’s option into shares of the Series B Preferred Stock at an initial conversion price of $10.00, subject to adjustments set forth in the Initial Novel Note. In addition, the Company incurred $0.4 million in debt issuance costs. For fiscal years 2025 and 2024, debt issuance costs of $94 thousand and $0 thousand, respectively, were recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the loan. The accretion of debt issuance costs under that under method is deemed materially consistent with the effective interest rate method.
The following represents the payments of notes payable as of January 3, 2026 (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Payments
Total payments $ 4,000
In addition to the Initial Novel Note, Novel has the right to purchase additional convertible promissory notes (the “Growth Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000. The Growth Notes are issuable in three installments, with one third of the aggregate principal amount issuable upon each yearly anniversary after March 19, 2025. As of January 3, 2026, the Company has not issued any Growth Notes.
On August 4, 2024, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Lind Purchase Agreement”) with Lind Global Asset Management IX LLC (“Lind”), an entity managed by The Lind Partners, LLC, relating to (i) the issuance and sale to Lind of a senior convertible promissory note in the principal amount of $4.2 million for a purchase price of $3.5 million (the “Initial Lind Note”) and (ii) a subsequent contingent senior convertible promissory note in the amount of $1.8 million for a purchase price of $1.5 million (the “Subsequent Lind Note” and, together with the Initial Note, the “Lind Notes” and together with the Lind Purchase Agreement and the Lind Notes, the “Lind Transaction Documents”). The Initial Lind Note was issued on August 7, 2024 and the Subsequent Lind Note has not been issued as of the date hereof. The Lind Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock” and such shares issued upon conversion, the “Note Shares”) at Lind’s option at an initial conversion price of $2.44, subject to any adjustments as set forth in the Lind Notes; provided that no adjustment shall result in a conversion price that is less than $0.39 per share.
Pursuant to the terms of the Lind Purchase Agreement, as of December 28, 2024, the Company issued 126,968 shares of Common Stock to Lind.
The total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of the Lind Transaction Documents was capped at (i) prior to the receipt of stockholder approval, 3,300,231 (equal to 19.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 4, 2024), and (ii) following the receipt of stockholder approval, 4,952,823 (equal to 30% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 4, 2024).
The $4.2 million convertible debt was issued with an original issue discount (“OID”) of $0.7 million. In addition, the Company incurred $0.9 million debt issuance costs, including $0.5 million legal expenses, $250 thousand relating to the First Incentive Share Installment (as defined in the Lind Purchase Agreement) and $105 thousand in commitment fees. During the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, $58 thousand and $146 thousand, respectively, of the original issue discount and $169 thousand and $182 thousand, respectively, of debt issuance costs (as an interest expense) were recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the debt. The accretion of the OID and amortization of debt issuance costs under that method is deemed materially consistent with the effective interest rate method.
As of January 3, 2026, there was no outstanding balance for short term or long term debt, OID, or debt issuance costs related to the Lind Note. As of December 28, 2024, the convertible note payable outstanding totaled $2.7 million of debt, net of the remaining balances of $0.6 million of OID and $0.7 million of debt issuance costs. As of December 28, 2024, the short term and long term debt (Notes Payable) were $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
On March 18, 2025, the Company also entered into that certain repayment notice (the “Repayment Notice”) with Lind Global Asset Management IX LLC (“Lind”). Pursuant to the Repayment Notice and upon the subsequent delivery of a cash payment to Lind in the amount of $3,330,999.99, the Company thereafter fully discharged its outstanding obligations (other than certain indemnification obligations that survived pursuant to the terms of the Repayment Notice) under that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 4, 2024, by and between the Company and Lind, and terminated the Senior Convertible Promissory Note, dated August 7, 2024, issued by the Company to Lind thereunder (the “Lind Note”). As a result of the early repayment of the Lind Note on March 19, 2025, the Company recognized a loss of $1.3 million on the extinguishment of the convertible note payable, reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as other expense, net.
67
11. Leases and Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
We lease our main operating facility in Mountain View, California, under a non-cancelable operating lease through August 31, 2026. There are no further options or rights to extend the term of this lease.
Our other operating lease commitments consist of facility and office equipment leases. Operating lease expense was $1.1 million for both fiscal years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024. Cash paid for operating leases totaled $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively for fiscal years 2025 and 2024. As of January 3, 2026, the weighted average discount rate used in calculating the present value of lease payments was 5.5% and the remaining lease term for our operating leases was 1.1 years.
The following represents maturities of operating lease liabilities as of January 3, 2026 (in thousands):
Fiscal Year OperatingLease Payments
Total lease payments 826
Less: Imputed interest (29 )
Total lease liabilities 797
Non-current portion of lease liabilities (98 )
Current portion of lease liabilities $ 699
Purchase Commitments.
Our purchase commitments consist primarily of non-cancellable purchase orders with vendors to manufacture certain components and ophthalmic instruments. As of January 3, 2026, our future minimum payments through fiscal year 2028 for our purchase commitments were approximately $24.8 million, with $24.6 million committed for the next 12 months.
License Agreements.
We are obligated to pay royalties equivalent to 1% to 5% of sales on certain products under certain license agreements with termination dates through the end of 2033. Royalty expense, charged to cost of revenues, was approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million for fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Indemnification Arrangements.
We enter into standard indemnification arrangements in our ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified parties (generally our business partners or customers) in connection with any trade secret, copyright, patent or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third-party with respect to our products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any time after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these agreements is not determinable. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal.
We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that may require us to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature. These agreements also require us to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified and to make good faith determination whether or not it is practicable for us to obtain directors and officers insurance. We currently have directors and officers liability insurance.
Legal Proceedings.
From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. In general, management believes that ordinary course of business matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations and are adequately covered by our liability insurance. However, it is possible that consolidated cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one of more of these contingencies or because of the diversion of management’s attention and the incurrence of significant expenses. We are not currently party to any material legal proceedings.
68
12. Stockholders’ Equity
2008 Equity Incentive Plan.
On June 11, 2008, the shareholders approved the adoption of the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, (the “Incentive Plan”). There are no material changes in the Incentive Plan from the 1998 Stock Plan (the “1998 Plan”). In 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 the stockholders approved an amendment to the Incentive Plan for purposes of complying with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to increase the share reserve under the Incentive Plan, and to make certain other amendments to the terms of the Incentive Plan. The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be awarded and sold under the Incentive Plan, as amended, is 6,850,000 shares plus any shares subject to stock options or similar awards granted under the 1998 Plan that expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full and shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the 1998 Plan that are forfeited to us on or after February 23, 2008, which was the date the 1998 Plan expired.
The following table represents the shares activity and the total number of shares available for grant under the Incentive Plan:
SharesAvailablefor Grant
Restricted stock granted (862,869 )
Options cancelled or forfeited 1,104,104
Restricted stock granted (264,387 )
Options cancelled or forfeited 549,714
Restricted stock units with a per share or unit purchase price lower than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant under the Incentive Plan, as amended, are counted against shares authorized under the plan as one and one-half shares of common stock for each share. When cancelled, these shares are added back to the Incentive Plan, as amended, as one and one-half shares.
The following table shows stock-based compensation expenses by functional area in the consolidated statements of operations for 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
Year Ended
Cost of revenues $ 64 $ 221
Research and development 55 165
General and administrative 445 598
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 775 $ 1,243
Stock-based compensation expense capitalized to inventory was immaterial for 2025 and 2024.
As of January 3, 2026, there was $1.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements under the Incentive Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.81 years.
69
Summary of Stock Options
The following table summarizes information regarding activity in our stock option plans during the fiscal years ended 2025 and 2024 (in thousands except share and per share data):
Outstanding Options
Numberof Shares WeightedAverageExercisePrice
Options cancelled or forfeited (549,714 ) 2.99
The following table summarizes information with respect to stock options outstanding and exercisable as of January 3, 2026:
Options Outstanding Options Vested and Exercisable
The determination of the fair value of options granted is computed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Employee Stock Option Plan
Average risk-free interest rate 3.81 % 4.33 %
Expected life (in years) 3.54 4.40
Dividend yield — —
Average volatility 76.0 % 77.0 %
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing was $0.57 and $1.47 per share for the fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively.
70
Option pricing models require the input of various subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The expected stock price volatility is based on analysis of our stock price history over a period commensurate with the expected term of the options, trading volume of our stock, look-back volatilities and Company specific events that affected volatility in a prior period. The expected term of employee stock options represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is based on the history of exercises and cancellations on all past option grants made, the contractual term, the vesting period and the expected remaining term of the outstanding options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury interest rates whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options. No dividend yield is included as we have not issued any dividends and does not anticipate issuing any dividends in the future.
Information regarding stock options outstanding, exercisable and expected to vest as of January 3, 2026 is summarized below:
Shares Exercise Price Life (years) (thousands)
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal year 2025 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on January 3, 2026. This amount is subject to change due to changes to the fair market value of our common stock. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for fiscal year 2025 was $0 because there were no stock option exercises. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for fiscal year 2024 was approximately $1 thousand.
In fiscal year 2025, each non-employee member of the board of directors received an annual equity award stock options equal to approximately $75 thousand worth of our common stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such award is granted) under our Incentive Plan. Each equity award vests in full on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant or the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders, provided that the non-employee member continues to serve on the Board through such date.
Summary of Restricted Stock Units
We recognize the estimated compensation expense of restricted stock units, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting term. The estimated compensation expense is based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant.
Information regarding the restricted stock units outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of January 3, 2026 is summarized below:
Restricted stock units vested and expected to vest 476,422 1.16 $ 557
Options exercisable — — $ —
The intrinsic value of the restricted stock units is calculated based on the closing price of our shares as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market on the last trading day of the fiscal year, January 2, 2026, of $1.17.
The majority of the restricted stock units that were released in fiscal year 2025 were net-share settled such that we withheld shares with value equivalent to the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes, and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. The total shares withheld were based on the value of the restricted stock units on their release date as determined by our closing stock price. These net-share settlements had the effect of share repurchases as they reduced and retired the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued as a result of the release and did not represent an expense to us. For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2026, 235,880 shares of restricted stock units were released with an intrinsic value of approximately $251 thousand. We withheld 69,869 shares to satisfy approximately $75 thousand of employees’ minimum tax obligation on the released restricted stock units.
71
Information regarding the restricted stock unit activity during the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024 is summarized below:
Number ofShares WeightedAverageGrant Date FairValue
Restricted stock units released (282,012 ) $ 2.50
Restricted stock units forfeited (30,739 ) $ 2.28
Restricted stock units released (235,880 ) $ 1.94
Restricted stock units forfeited (20,455 ) $ 1.57
During the year ended January 3, 2026, the Company awarded 176,258 restricted stock units at a weighted average grant date fair value of $0.97 per share. During the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company awarded 575,246 restricted stock units at a weighted average grant date fair value of $1.85 per share.
13. Employee Benefit Plan
We have a plan known as the Iridex Corporation Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan to provide retirement benefits through the deferred salary deductions for substantially all U.S. employees. Employees may contribute up to 15% of their annual compensation to the plan, limited to a maximum amount set by the Internal Revenue Service. The plan also provides for Company contributions at the discretion of the Company. In the years ended January 3, 2026 and December 28, 2024, the Company made $0.2 million worth of total matching contributions in each period.
14. Income Taxes
Loss from operations before provision for income taxes was comprised of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended Year Ended
The provision for income taxes includes (in thousands):
Year Ended Year Ended
Current:
Federal $ — $ —
Deferred:
Federal — 1
Provision for income taxes $ 57 $ 68
72
The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as shown in the following schedule:
Year Ended Year Ended
Amount Percent Amount Percent
Income taxes at statutory federal rate (921 ) 21.0 % (1,857 ) 21.0 %
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax effect* 6 (0.1 )% 7 (0.1 )%
Foreign tax effects
Germany
Change in valuation allowance (58 ) 1.3 % (10 ) 0.1 %
Effect of cross-border tax laws
Global intangible low-taxed income 31 (0.7 )% 41 (0.5 )%
Nontaxable or nondeductible items
Stock-based compensation (10 ) 0.2 % (152 ) 1.7 %
Excess Tax (Benefit) or Deficit on Stock Awards 202 (4.6 )% 431 (4.9 )%
Interest and premium related to Convertible Debt 324 (7.4 )% — —
Tax Credits (0.6 )%
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (23 ) 0.5 % (33 ) 0.4 %
Other Adjustments
* State taxes in Texas made up the majority (greater than 50 percent) of the tax effect in this category.
The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax assets are presented below (in thousands):
Year Ended Year Ended
Deferred tax assets:
Research and development credits 4,314 4,295
Section 174 research and experimental expenditures capitalization 1,570 2,927
Other tax credits 1 1
Total deferred tax assets, net 111 103
Deferred tax liabilities:
Total deferred tax liabilities (141 ) (132 )
Net deferred tax liabilities $ (30 ) $ (29 )
73
The following table presents the income tax paid (net of refunds received) (in thousands):
Year Ended Year Ended
Federal $ — $ —
State
Foreign — —
Total cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds) $ (22 ) $ 15
Our accounting for deferred taxes involves the evaluation of a number of factors concerning the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets is dependent upon several factors, including the likelihood and amount, if any, of future taxable income in relevant jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Our management forecasts taxable income by considering all available positive and negative evidence including our history of operating income or losses and our financial plans and estimates which are used to manage the business. These assumptions require significant judgment about future taxable income. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable is subject to adjustment in future periods if estimates of future taxable income are reduced.
As of January 3, 2026, based on the Company's recent history of losses and its forecasted losses, management believes on the more likely than not basis that a full valuation allowance is required. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company provided a full valuation allowance on its federal and state deferred tax assets. The Company's change in valuation allowance form prior year was $419 thousand. As of January 3, 2026, the Company had federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards of $72.5 million and $33.7 million, respectively. The federal NOL and the state NOL will begin to expire in 2032.
The Company has federal and state research credit carry forwards of approximately $2.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. The federal research credit will begin to expire in 2026 and the state research credit can be carried forward indefinitely. In the event of a change in ownership as defined by IRC sections 382 and 383, the usage of the above mentioned NOL’s and credits may be limited.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC 740 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax provision that an entity takes or expects to take in a tax return. Additionally, ASC 740 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. Under ASC 740, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more likely than not" threshold. In accordance with our accounting policy, we recognize accrued interests and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There is no accrued interest and penalty during the year ended January 3, 2026.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended Year Ended
Balance at the beginning of the year $ 1,432 $ 1,436
Additions based upon tax positions related to the current year 17 37
Reductions based upon tax positions related to the prior year (23 ) (41 )
Balance at the end of the year $ 1,426 $ 1,432
If the ending balance of $1.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 3, 2026 were recognized, $0 of the recognition would affect the income tax rate. The unrecognized tax benefits may change during the next year for items that arise in the ordinary course of business.
The Company files U.S. federal and various state returns. Tax years generated loss remain open, none of which have individual significance.
74
15. Business Segments and Geographical Information
The Company's chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company. For the purpose of internal reporting and management’s operation review, the Company's chief executive officer and management personnel do not segregate the Group’s business by revenue stream or geography. Management has determined that the Company has one operating segment, ophthalmology. The measure of segment assets is reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as total consolidated assets. The revenue, costs and expenses, and the net income for the reportable segment are the same as those presented on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Substantially all of our long-term assets are located in the U.S. We develop, manufacture and market medical devices. Our revenues arise from the sale of consoles, delivery devices, consumables, service and support activities.
Revenue information shown by product is as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended
(1) Includes service contract revenues of $1.3 million and $1.4 million recognized during fiscal years 2025 and 2024, respectively. Includes $1.5 million recognized revenue related to the exclusive distribution rights during fiscal years 2025 and 2024. Other also includes revenues from paid service, royalty, freight and legacy G probes.
Revenue information shown by geographic region is as follows (in thousands):