ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to other information contained in this report before making a decision to invest in our common stock. These risks are not the only ones we face. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks that we cannot foresee at this time, have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies and prospects in a material and adverse manner. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and investors may lose all or part of their investment. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in these forward-looking statements because of factors beyond our control, including the risks faced by us described below.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may not be able to continue our growth and profitability trajectory.

In 2022 our revenue grew by 23% and we achieved $0.78 diluted earnings per share. While we plan to continue sales growth and remain profitable, there can be no guarantee that we will achieve our growth and profitability plans in 2023. While we achieved profitability in the past five consecutive years, we reported losses in three of the past eight years. Our profitability is challenged by the competitive nature of our industry and the other risks to our business detailed herein.

Compliance issues may adversely impact our operations.

If we cannot maintain compliance with a particular jurisdiction’s regulatory requirements, it could adversely impact our financial performance/have a material adverse effect on our ongoing business and operations. We plan to remain in compliance with regulatory requirements established by applicable global regulatory agencies, however, there can be no guaranty that we will do so. We expect to continue to devote resources and attention to our quality systems and compliance and other regulatory requirements as part of the ordinary course of business. We cannot ensure that our efforts will be successful and failure to achieve or maintain compliance may materially and adversely impact our business and operations.

We rely and depend on independent distributors in international markets.

Except for Japan, Germany, Spain, the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Singapore, we sell our products through independent distributors who generally control the importation and marketing of our product within their territories. We generally grant exclusive rights to these distributors and rely on them to understand local market conditions, to diligently sell our products and to comply with local laws and regulations. Our agreements with distributors and local laws can make it difficult for us to quickly change from a distributor who we feel is underperforming. If we do terminate an independent distributor, we may lose customers who have been dealing with that distributor and may be required to compensate the distributor for termination. Because these distributors are independent, it may be difficult for us to detect failures in our distributors’ performance or compliance. Actions by independent distributors could result in declining sales in that territory, harm to the reputation of our company or our products, or legal liability. For example, if Shanghai Lansheng, which accounted for approximately 52% of our fiscal 2022 consolidated net sales, ceased to serve as our distributor, or significantly underperformed our expectations, we may experience a substantial reduction in sales.

We rely on sales in China for over 50% of our 2022 net sales.

China accounted for approximately 52% of our fiscal 2022 consolidated net sales. If trade relations with the U.S. were to result in trade restrictions, if COVID-mitigation regulations implemented by the Chinese government, if social or political unrest were to disrupt business in China, or if other events in China significantly reduced or disrupted business activities in China, that may materially and adversely harm our business.

Unfavorable economic conditions or negative publicity concerning complications of laser eye surgery, or medical devices in general, could hurt sales of our refractive products.

Approximately 95% of our revenue was derived from ICL lenses used in refractive procedures. Refractive surgery is an elective procedure generally not covered by health insurance. Patients must pay for the procedure, frequently through installment financing arrangements with third parties. They can defer the choice to have refractive surgery if they lack the disposable income to pay for it or do not feel their income is secure. Economic stagnation, lack of consumer confidence or a recession in any of our larger markets could slow ICL sales growth or, if severe, cause declines in sales. Because the ICL is our best selling and highest gross margin product, restricted growth or a decline in its sales could materially harm our business.

We believe that negative publicity in the past regarding the potential complications of refractive surgery and potential patient dissatisfaction, in particular because of LASIK and other corneal laser-based procedures, decreased patient interest in LASIK as well as all other refractive procedures. Depending on the nature and severity of any future negative publicity about refractive surgery, the growth of ICL sales could be limited or sales could decline due to decreased patient interest in all refractive surgery, including our ICL.

Disruptions in our supply chain or failure to adequately forecast product demand could result in significant delays or lost sales.

The loss of a material supplier could significantly disrupt our business. In some cases, we obtain components used in certain of our products from single sources. If we experience difficulties acquiring sufficient quantities of required materials or products from our existing suppliers, or if our suppliers are found to be non-compliant with the FDA’s QSR, other applicable laws, or STAAR’s requirements, then qualifying and obtaining the required regulatory approvals to use alternative suppliers may be a lengthy and uncertain process during which production could be delayed and we could lose sales.

Our sources of supply for raw materials may be threatened by shortages and other market forces, by natural disasters, climate impacts, or public health crises or other disruptive events, or by the supplier’s failure to maintain adequate quality or a recall initiated by the supplier. Even when substitute suppliers are available, the need to verify

the substitute supplier’s regulatory compliance and the quality standards of the replacement material could significantly delay production and materially reduce our sales.

In particular, we manufacture the proprietary collagen-containing raw material used in our ICLs. If the supply of these collagen-containing raw materials is disrupted, it could result in our inability to manufacture those products and would have a material adverse effect on STAAR. The loss of our external supply source for silicone material, polymer for injectors, or acrylic lenses, or other components and material could also cause us material harm.

Further, any failure by us to forecast demand for or to maintain an adequate supply of, raw material and finished product could result in an interruption in the supply of certain products and a decline in the sales of that product. For example, in 2022 our ICL sales grew 27%. If our suppliers or we are unable or our suppliers are unwilling to meet our increased manufacturing requirements, we may not be able to produce enough materials or products in a timely manner, which could cause a decline in our sales.

Because our business is global our sales and profits may fluctuate or decline in response to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and/or other international risks (including tariffs).

Activities outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 95% of our total sales during 2022. Foreign currency fluctuations could result in volatility of our revenue. The results of operations and the financial position of our Japanese subsidiary are reported in Japanese yen and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rates for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements, exposing us to translation risk. In addition, we are exposed to transaction risk because we incur some of our sales and expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Our most significant currency exposures are to the Japanese yen, the euro, and the Swiss franc, and the exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar may fluctuate substantially. We do not actively hedge our exposure to currency rate fluctuations. The continuing strengthening of the U.S. dollar would likely continue to negatively impact our results. We price some of our products in U.S. dollars, and thus changes in exchange rates can make our products more expensive in some offshore markets and reduce our sales. Inflation could also make our products more expensive and increase the credit risks to which we are exposed. Future foreign currency fluctuations could favorably or unfavorably impact and increase the volatility of our revenue, profitability, and stock price.

Economic, social, and political conditions, laws, practices, and local customs vary widely among the countries in which we sell our products. Our operations outside of the U.S. face a number of risks and potential costs, including, enjoying less stringent protection of intellectual property, and facing economic, political, and social uncertainty in some countries, especially in emerging markets. For example, sales in certain Asian and developing markets may result in lower margins and higher exposure to intellectual property infringement or counterfeits. Also, if China, which accounted for approximately 52% of our fiscal 2022 consolidated net sales, experienced a significant economic downturn or disruption, continued restrictive COVID mitigation efforts, social or political unrest, we may experience a significant reduction in sales. Further, trade disputes between the United States and its significant trading partners may adversely affect our sales, including as a result of the imposition of tariffs or other barriers or restrictions on trade, or increase our costs. The institution of trade tariffs both globally and between the U.S. and China specifically could negatively impact the overall economic condition in our markets, including China, which could have a negative effect on our sales. In addition, new laws or regulations in China or elsewhere applicable to foreign medical device companies could negatively impact our business. Also, we are exposed to credit and collectability risk on our trade receivables with customers in certain international markets. There can be no assurance we can effectively limit our credit risk and avoid losses and our ability to transfer foreign earnings to the U.S. may be subject to taxes or restricted or result in incurring substantial costs. Our continued success as a global company depends, in part, on our ability to develop and implement policies and strategies that are effective in anticipating and managing these and other risks in the countries where we do business. These and other risks may have a material adverse effect on our operations in any particular country and on our business, financial condition and results of operations as a whole.

Changes in our effective tax rate or additional tax liabilities could adversely impact our net income.

We are subject to income taxes as well as non-income-based taxes in Switzerland, the U.S. and various other jurisdictions in which we operate. The laws and regulations in these jurisdictions are inherently complex and we will be obliged to make judgments and interpretations about the application of these laws and regulations to us, including our subsidiaries and our operations and businesses. Those laws and regulations include those related to any restructuring of intercompany operations, holdings or financings, the valuation of intercompany services; cross-border payments between affiliated companies; and the related effects on income tax, VAT and transfer tax. Further, our tax liabilities could be adversely affected by numerous other factors, including income before taxes being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher

statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and changes in tax laws and regulations. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, any changes in our judgments and interpretation of tax laws or any material differences as a result ofany audits could result in unfavorable tax adjustments that may have an adverse effect on our overall tax liability.

Changes in tax laws could result in additional tax liabilities.

Changes in tax laws can and do occur. For example, in 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is complex and continues to be further clarified with supplemental guidance. Changes to tax laws may require us to make significant judgment in determining the appropriate provision and related accruals for these taxes. Thus, as a result, such changes could result in substantially higher taxes and a significant adverse effect on our results of operations, financial conditions and liquidity. In addition, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which represents a coalition of member countries, has recommended fundamental tax reforms affecting the taxation of multinational corporations, including the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, which in part aims to address international corporate tax strategies. Countries have already enacted significant measures in this regard. Further work is currently being undertaken by the OECD on its proposal to reform international allocation of taxing rights by allocating a greater share of taxing rights to countries where consumers are located, regardless of the physical presence of a business (Pillar One), and to implement a global minimum tax (Pillar Two). The detail of the proposals is subject to change and the impact to us will need to be determined by reference to the final rules.

We are vulnerable to any loss of use of our principal manufacturing facility.

We manufacture all of our ICL products at a single facility in Monrovia, California. All or a portion of the Monrovia facility could suffer catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, earthquake, terrorism or other natural or man-made disasters, including manufacturing challenges such as equipment failure. Developing additional manufacturing sites may require significant expense for personnel and equipment and a long period to obtain regulatory approvals. Our California and Japanese facilities are in areas where earthquakes could cause catastrophic loss.

In our major markets, regulatory approval to manufacture materials and sell our products is generally limited to the current manufacturing site, and changing the site requires applications to and approval from regulatory bodies prior to commercialization. To satisfy our own quality standards as well as regulations, we must follow strict protocols to confirm that products and materials made at a new site are equivalent to those made at the currently approved site. For example, we have commenced activities to resume manufacturing ICLs at our Swiss facility, and to commence manufacturing EVO Viva at our Lake Forest facility, but there can be no guaranty whether or when these facilities will be prepared and approved by regulators for manufacturing. Even minor changes in equipment, supplies or processes require validation. Unanticipated delays with a transferred process or difficulties in manufacturing a transferred material could interrupt our supply of products. Any sustained interruption in supply could cause us to lose market share and harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If any or a portion of our facilities were to experience a catastrophic loss, or if one of our facilities is found not to be in compliance with regulatory requirements, it could disrupt our operations, delay production and shipments, delay or reduce sales and revenue and result in large expenses to repair or replace the facility, as well as lost customers or sales. Our insurance for property damage and business interruption may not cover any particular loss, or, if covered, be sufficient. We do not carry insurance or reserve funds for interruptions or potential losses arising from earthquakes or terrorism.

Public health crises, political crises, and other catastrophic events or other events outside of our control may impact our business.

In 2022, we generated approximately 95% of our total sales outside the U.S. A natural disaster (such as a climate-related event or otherwise), public health crisis (such as a pandemic or epidemic), political crisis (such as terrorism, war, political instability or other conflict), or other events outside of our control that may occur anywhere around the world, may adversely impact our business and operating results. Moreover, these types of events could negatively impact surgeon or patient spending in the impacted region(s) or depending upon the severity, globally, which could adversely impact our operating results.

For example, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic, resulting in governmental authorities and other third parties implementing or recommending a number of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, including travel restrictions, shelter-in-place orders and business limitations and shutdowns. The impact of COVID-19 and these measures implemented or

recommended by governmental authorities and other third parties have had a significant impact on many businesses, including ours. For example, wesuspended most of our production on March 17, 2020 with the exception of continuation of critical late-staged processes. Moreover, our revenues have been adversely impacted, since the first quarter of 2020 in global geographies characterized as “hot spots” for the COVID-19 virusand its variants as customers in those locations were not able to carry out procedures or were limited in their activities by government regulations intended to contain the spread of COVID-19 and variant strains. In certain of these markets, sales paused as elective surgeries werediscouraged to support COVID-19 related needs. We expect this decrease in sales in certain geographies, such as parts of Europe and Asia, to continue through the first half of 2023 and possibly beyond as different geographies may or may not resume pre-pandemic levels of business activities as novel COVID-19 variant strains emerge. We cannot predict when different governments and circumstances will permit businesses in their jurisdictions to return to pre-pandemic levels of business or when consumers will resume scheduling procedures. We also cannot predict COVID-19’s impact on the overall economy of various markets, including the existence or extent of a possible recession. Thus, at this point, the extent to which the coronavirus may impact delayed medical procedures and delayed lens orders, and the related impact on our results is uncertain; however, it could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. We monitor such events and take actions that we deem reasonable given the circumstances. In the future other types of crises, may create an environment of business uncertainty around the world, which may hinder sales and/or supplies of our products nationally and internationally.

The extent to which the pandemic impacts our business, operations, and financial results, including the duration and magnitude of such effects, will depend on numerous evolving factors that are uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the following: the duration and scope of the pandemic; the impact it has on global and regional economies and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of its impact on consumer spending; how quickly and to what extent more customary economic and operating conditions can resume; its impact on our customers’ facilities; levels of consumer confidence; whether our COVID-19 preventative measures such as remote working arrangements, changes to manufacturing work areas, such as adherence to social distancing guidelines, and other workforce changes will impact operational efficiency or inventory levels; our ability to obtain supplies from vendors or transport products to customers; or adverse impacts to any other element of our supply chain; the impact on regulatory agencies, including the review and approval process; the impact on clinical studies; the ability of our customers to successfully navigate the impacts of the pandemic such as resuming activities and growing patient interest in our lenses; and actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to the pandemic.

In addition, the pandemic could adversely impact our ability to recruit and/or retain employees and the continued service and availability of skilled personnel necessary to run our complex production operations, as well as members of our management team, third-party suppliers, distributors and vendors. To the extent our management or other personnel are impacted in significant numbers by the pandemic and are not available to perform their job duties (for example, for health and safety reasons), we could experience delays in, or the suspension of, our manufacturing operations, research and product development activities, regulatory work streams, and other important commercial and operational functions.

Finally, if COVID-19, or a variant strain, continues to spread and escalate domestically or internationally, or if governments impose additional measures intended to mitigate the spread and related effects of the pandemic, the risks described above could be elevated significantly. Should that occur, and the COVID-19 pandemic persist for a prolonged time, the above factors and others that are currently unknown could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial conditions and prospects and could elevate known risks described in this Item 1A. Risk Factors.

We depend on key employees.

We depend on the continued service of our senior management and other key employees. The loss of a key employee could hurt our business. It could be particularly detrimental if any key employee or employees went to work for a competitor. Also, our future success depends on our ability to identify, attract, train, motivate and retain other highly skilled personnel. Failure to do so may adversely affect our results. We do not maintain insurance policies to cover the cost of replacing the services of any of our key employees who may unexpectedly die or become disabled.

We compete with much larger companies and low-cost Asian manufacturers.

Our primary competitors, including Alcon (formally Novartis), Johnson & Johnson (formerly Abbott Medical Optics, or AMO), Bausch Health Companies (formerly Valeant or Bausch & Lomb), and Carl Zeiss Meditec have much greater financial, technical, marketing and distribution resources and brand name recognition than we do and

some of them have large international markets for a full suite of ophthalmic products. Their greater resources for research, development and marketing, and their greater capacity to offer comprehensive products and equipment to providers, makes for intense competition. In addition, competitors from Asia are beginning to appear in some markets with their low-cost version of an implantable contact lens, which competes with our ICL. With our increased commercial success with the ICL, additional companies may seek to enter the refractive phakic intraocular lens market.

Non-compliance with anti-corruption laws could lead to penalties or harm our reputation.

We are subject to anti-corruption laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Any failure to comply with these laws, even if inadvertent, could result in significant penalties or otherwise harm our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. Our reliance on foreign subsidiaries and independent distributors requires vigilance in maintaining our policy against participation in corrupt or non-compliant activity, including, for example, with respect to our 2022 internal review of compliance with certain regulations in the Japanese market related to sales of pre-loaded aphakic intraocular lenses for use in cataract surgery (IOLs, not ICLs). In many of our markets outside the U.S., doctors and hospital administrators may be deemed government officials. Despite precautions we may take, non-compliance may occur that could harm our reputation and financial results. Other U.S. companies in the medical device and pharmaceutical field have faced criminal penalties under the FCPA for allowing their employees or agents to deviate from appropriate practices in doing business with such individuals.

We could experience losses due to product liability claims.

We have been subject to product liability claims in the past and may experience such claims in the future. Product liability claims against us may not be covered, may exceed the coverage limits of our insurance policies or cause us to record a loss in excess of our deductible. A product liability claim that exceeds our insurance coverage could materially harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Even if an insurance policy covers a product liability loss, we must generally pay for losses until they reach the level of the policy’s stated deductible or retention amount after which the insurer begins paying. The payment of retentions or deductibles for a significant number of claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Any product liability claim would divert managerial and financial resources and could harm our reputation with customers. We cannot assure investors that we will not have product liability claims in the future or that such claims would not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our defined benefit pension plans are currently underfunded and we may be subject to significant increases in pension benefit obligations under those pension plans.

We sponsor two defined benefit pension plans through our wholly owned Swiss and Japanese subsidiaries, which we refer to as the “Swiss Plan” and the “Japan Plan”, respectively. Both plans are underfunded and may require significant cash payments.

We determine our pension benefit obligations and funding status using many assumptions. If the investment performance does not meet our expectations, or if other actuarial assumptions are modified, or not realized, we may be required to contribute more than we currently expect and increase our future pension benefit obligations to be funded from our operations.

Our pension plans taken together are underfunded by approximately $1.9 million ($1.2 million for the Japan Plan and $0.7 million for the Swiss Plan) as of December 30, 2022.

If our cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund our worldwide pension obligations, as well as other cash requirements, we may be materially and adversely harmed and have to seek additional capital.

Our activities involve hazardous materials, emissions, and use of an irradiator and may subject us to environmental liability.

Our manufacturing, research and development activities involve the use of hazardous materials and equipment and use of an irradiator. Federal, state and local laws and regulations govern the use, manufacturing, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and certain waste products in the places where we have operations. We cannot eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials and equipment. Remedial environmental actions could require us to incur substantial unexpected costs, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. If we were involved in an environmental accident or found to

be in substantial non-compliance with applicable environmental laws, it could harm our reputation, and we could be held liable for damages or penalized with fines.

Data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches and/or noncompliance with data protection and privacy regulations could negatively impact our operations.

We depend on information technology networks and our information technology infrastructure for electronic communications among our locations around the world and between our personnel and our subsidiaries, customers, and suppliers. The integrity and protection of our customer, vendor, supplier, employee, and other Company data that we collect, use and store, including personal information, is an important part of our business. Addressing applicable and evolving security and privacy regulations may increase our operating costs or adversely affect our business operations.

Certain of our employees, contractors and vendors have access to and use personal information in the ordinary course of our business. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations. Despite our security measures and business controls, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers, breaches due to employee, contractor or vendor error, or malfeasance, systems error (whether as a result of an intentional breach, a natural disaster or human error) or other disruptions or subject to the inadvertent or intentional unauthorized release of information. Any such occurrence could compromise our networks and the information stored thereon could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, and liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information and regulatory penalties, disrupt our operations and the supply of products we provide to our clients, compromise our intellectual property or other confidential business information, or damage our reputation, any of which could adversely affect our profitability, revenue and competitive position. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have enabled many of our employees to work remotely, which may make us more vulnerable to cyberattacks. While we have not experienced a material system failure, accident or security breach to date, we cannot assure you that our data protection efforts and our investment in information technology will prevent significant breakdowns, data leakages, breaches in our systems or other cyber incidents that could have a material adverse effect upon our reputation, business, operations or financial condition. We continue to invest in our cybersecurity program to enhance current capabilities and also implement new capabilities in our effort to keep pace with the changing threat landscape. Also, certain of our information technology systems are not redundant, and our disaster recovery planning is not sufficient for every eventuality. Despite any precautions we may take, such events could materially harm our reputation and financial results. Moreover, while we maintain cyber insurance, it may be insufficient to address any potential loss incurred. We also rely on third parties to host or otherwise process some of this data (such as cloud-based computing). Elements of our information technology systems that we outsource to third parties may also be vulnerable to various types of attacks or disruptions. Any failure by a third party to prevent security breaches could have adverse consequences for us.

We are subject to various data protection and privacy regulations in different jurisdictions, including the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act. We have made and continue to engage in compliance efforts to satisfy these and other regulations, however, we may be unsuccessful in complying with applicable requirements, and may be at risk of enforcement actions and/or subject to fines, including those imposed by a data protection authority. As a result, we may incur substantial expense in complying with data protection and privacy regulations, exposure resulting from a data breach, ransomware or non-compliance and may be distracted from other aspects of our business.

The increased use of social media platforms and mobile technologies presents additional risks and challenges.

New technologies are increasingly used to communicate about our products and the health conditions they are intended to treat. The use of these media poses risks to our business and requires specific attention and monitoring. For example, patients, competitors, or others may use these channels to comment on the safety or effectiveness of a product and to report an alleged adverse event. Negative posts or comments about us or our business on any social networking web site could harm our reputation. In addition, our employees may use social media tools and mobile technologies inappropriately, which may give rise to liability, or which could lead to the exposure of sensitive information. In either case, such uses of social media and mobile technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Acquisitions of technologies, products, and businesses could disrupt our operations, involve increased expenses and present risks not contemplated at the time of the transactions.

We may consider and, as appropriate, make acquisitions of technologies, products, and businesses that we believe are complementary to our business. Acquisitions typically entail many risks and could result in difficulties in integrating the operations, personnel, technologies, and products acquired, and mitigating the risk of unknown liabilities some of which may result in significant payments or charges to earnings.

If we are unable to successfully integrate our acquisitions with our existing business, we may not obtain the advantages that the acquisitions were intended to create, which may materially adversely affect our business, and our ability to develop and introduce new products. Actual costs and sales synergies, if achieved at all, may be lower than we expect and may take longer to achieve than we anticipate. Acquisitions may also divert management’s attention from our core business. Furthermore, the products of companies we acquire may overlap with our products or those of our customers, creating conflicts with existing relationships or with other commitments that are detrimental to the integrated businesses.

If we are not able to manage growth successfully, this could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

If we continue to experience rapid growth, this places a significant strain on financial, operational, and managerial resources. We must continue to implement and enhance our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our operations, and continue to recruit and train qualified personnel. There can be no assurance that our strategic and operational planning will allow us to adequately manage anticipated growth. Factors such as a failure to follow specific internal practices and procedures, equipment malfunction, environmental factors or damage to one or more of our facilities could adversely affect our ability to manufacture our products. For example, in the second half of 2021, as we increased production to meet increased demand, we experienced a decline in product yield. In the event of a slower-than-planned manufacturing output, we may be unable to quickly meet customer demand. In the event of a significant manufacturing challenge, we may experience delays in meeting product demand which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, the expense associated with increased manufacturing and sales/marketing to meet increased demand may exceed our expectations. We manufacture in the U.S. and inflation has increased in the U.S. during recent months, and we can expect as a result to experience increased costs in our own supply chain which may be difficult to pass along to our customers. Any inability to successfully manage growth could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operation.

Corporate responsibility, specifically related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, may impose additional costs, expose us to reputational and emerging areas of risks, and could negatively affect our business.

Investors, stockholders, customers, suppliers and other third parties are increasingly focusing on ESG and corporate responsibility practices and reporting. Companies that do not adapt to or comply with the evolving investor or stakeholder expectations and standards, as well as the evolving international regulations relating to ESG matters, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately, may suffer from reputational damage and result in the business, financial condition and/or stock price of a company being materially and adversely affected. Further, this increased focus on ESG issues may result in significant increase in additional expenses (e.g., direct or indirect cost of energy, materials, manufacturing, distribution, packaging and other operating costs) to comply with evolving regulations and/or third-party requirements that could adversely impact our business or profitability.

In response to stakeholder expectations, we have commenced reporting of our sustainability endeavors and future plans. These disclosures reflect our current aspirations and are not guarantees that we will be able to achieve them. Our efforts to accomplish and accurately report on these plans present numerous risks, any of which could have a material negative impact on us. Our ability to achieve any goal, including with respect to ESG-related initiatives, is subject to numerous risks, many of which are outside of our control. Certain shareholders may reduce or eliminate their holdings of our stock based on ESG issues. For example, an allegation or perception that we have not taken sufficient action in these areas could negatively harm our reputation and/or result in certain investors reducing or eliminating their holdings of our stock.

Our method of tracking our ESG efforts may change as expectations and standards evolve, which may result in revisions to our goals or reported progress. If our ESG practices do not meet evolving investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards, then our reputation, and our attractiveness as an investment or business partner could be

negatively impacted. Similarly, our failure or perceived failure to pursue or fulfill certain targets or goals, or to satisfy various reporting standards could also have negative impacts and expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation.

Finally, we expect to incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report, and comply with our various ESG practices. If we fail to adopt ESG standards or practices as quickly as stakeholders desire, report on our ESG efforts or practices accurately, or satisfy the expectations of stakeholders, our reputation, business, financial performance and growth may be adversely impacted.

Climate changes could negatively affect our business.

Climate changes, such as extreme weather conditions, could create financial risk to our business. Global physical climate changes, including unseasonable weather conditions and earthquakes, could disrupt our operations by impacting the availability and cost of water, energy, or materials within our supply chain, and could also increase insurance and other operating costs. This could in turn put pressure on our manufacturing costs and result in reduced profit margins associated with certain of our products. Climate-related transitional risks, such as changing regulations, could also increase our costs and adversely impact our operations or financial performance.

Risks Related to the Ophthalmic Products Industry

Unless we keep pace with advances in our industry and persuade physicians to adopt our new products, our sales will not grow and may decline.

Our future growth depends, in part, on our ability to timely develop products to treat diseases and disorders of the eye that are more effective, safer, or incorporate emerging technologies better than our competitors’ products, and are accepted by physicians and patients. Sales of our existing products may decline rapidly if one of our competitors introduces a superior product, or if we announce a new product of our own. If we focus on research and development or technologies that do not lead to better products, more effective or advanced products could surpass our current and planned products. In addition, such product development efforts could require a significant investment of resources. If we are able to develop new products, we must manufacture these products economically and market them successfully by demonstrating to enough eye-care professionals the overall benefits of using them. If we do not timely develop new products that meet market demand or if there is insufficient demand for our new products, our sales and results of operations could be harmed. For example, it is uncertain whether physicians in countries that recognize the CE Mark will adopt the EVO Viva lens for use in presbyopic eyes, which our Notified Body approved for marketing and sale in July 2020.

Resources devoted to research and development may not yield new products that achieve regulatory approval or commercial success.

Development of new implantable technology, from discovery through testing and registration to initial product launch, is expensive and time-consuming. Because of the complexities and uncertainties of ophthalmic research and development, products we are developing, including those currently in development, may not complete the development process or obtain the regulatory approvals required for us to successfully market the products. Our new products, including those currently under development, may fail to become commercially successful.

We may be required to conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy of new or enhanced products, such clinical trials are expensive, complex, can take years to complete, and have highly uncertain outcomes.

In order to further advance the development of, and ultimately receive regulatory approval to manufacture and sell, our new products or product enhancements, we may be required to conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate their safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of the FDA or regulatory authorities in other countries. Clinical trials are expensive, complex, can take many years to complete, and have highly uncertain outcomes. Delays, setbacks, or failures can occur at any time, or in any phase of the clinical trials, and can result from concerns about safety, a lack of demonstrated efficacy, or poor study or trial design. The commencement and completion of clinical trials may be delayed or prevented by many factors, including, but not limited to:

• flaws in the design of the clinical trials;

• slower than expected rates of patient recruitment and enrollment;

• lack of effectiveness of our products; or

• unforeseen safety issues.

We are subject to extensive government regulation worldwide, which increases our costs and could prevent us from selling our products.

We are regulated by regional, national, state and local agencies in the U.S. as well as governmental authorities in those international countries in which we manufacture or distribute products, such as in Europe and Asia. These regulations may govern the research, development, manufacturing, and commercial activities relating to medical devices, including their design, pre-clinical and clinical testing, clearance or approval, production, labeling, sale, distribution, import, export, post-market surveillance, advertising, dissemination of information and promotion. Failure to receive necessary approvals in foreign jurisdictions on a timely basis, or at all, could harm our business and operating results. In addition, regulations and requirements for approvals can vary in each international country, which can significantly increase the costs to sell our products in these international countries.

Complying with government regulation substantially increases the cost of developing, manufacturing and selling our products.

Competing in the ophthalmic products industry requires us to introduce new or improved products and processes continuously, and to submit these to the FDA and other regulatory bodies for clearance or approval. Obtaining clearance or approval can be a long and expensive process, and clearance or approval is never certain. For example, the FDA or another country’s regulatory agency, could require us to conduct an additional clinical trial prior to granting clearance or approval of a product and such clinical trial could take a long time and have substantial expense. Furthermore, there is no assurance that clearance or approval will be granted.

If a regulatory authority delays or does not grant approval of a potentially significant product, the potential sales of the product and its value to us can be substantially reduced. Even if the FDA or another regulatory agency clears or approves a product, the clearance or approval may limit the indicated patient populations or uses of the product, or may otherwise limit our ability to promote, sell and distribute the product, or may require expensive post-marketing studies or surveillance. If we cannot obtain timely regulatory clearance or approval of our new products, or if the clearance or approval is too narrow, we will not be able to successfully market these products, which would eliminate or reduce our potential sales and earnings.

In addition, the FDA and other regulatory authorities may change their clearance and approval policies, adopt additional regulations, or revise existing regulations, or take other actions which may prevent or delay approval or clearance of our products under development, cause the loss of previously received approvals or clearances or impact our ability to modify our currently cleared products on a timely basis. Also, we expect to incur additional costs complying with the European Union’s new Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

We depend on proprietary technology but our intellectual property protections may be limited.

While we rely on various intellectual property laws, contractual provisions and confidentiality procedures and copyright laws to protect the proprietary aspects of our technology, we rely more on trade secrets and know-how, which may not prevent third parties from using publicly available information to access our technology. With respect to our patents, any of them may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or rendered unenforceable. Any of our pending patent applications may fail to result in an issued patent or fail to provide meaningful protection against competitors or competitive technology. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, and to protect or determine the validity and scope of our proprietary rights. We also challenge others’ patents or patent applications from time to time. Any litigation could result in substantial expense, may reduce our profits, and may not adequately protect our intellectual property rights. In addition, we may be exposed to future litigation by third parties based on claims that our products infringe their intellectual property rights. This risk is exacerbated by the fact that the validity and breadth of claims covered by patents in our industry may involve complex legal issues that are open to dispute. Any litigation or claims against or instituted by us, whether or not successful, could result in

substantial costs, divert resources and the efforts of our personnel away from daily operations, harm our reputation, result in the impairment of our intellectual property rights, limit our ability to pursue future products and/or otherwise materially adversely impact our business.

We may not successfully replace our existing products, including those that lose or have lost patent protection.

As our existing patents expire, many of which already expired over the past several years, our competitors may introduce products using the same technology. Because of this possible increase in competition, we may lose sales and/or may need to reduce our prices to maintain sales of our products, which would make them less profitable. If we fail to develop and successfully launch new products and/or obtain new patents, our sales and profits with respect to our products could decline significantly. We may not be able to develop and successfully launch more advanced replacement products.

While we will continue developing intellectual property protections for our future products, third parties may pursue blocking patents that limit our ability to manufacture such products.

We plan to continue relying on our intellectual property rights to protect products and technology that we may develop or employ in the future, but third parties may develop and obtain patents covering such products or technology. In such event, we may need to obtain licenses for such patents. However, we may not be able to obtain licenses on reasonable terms, if at all, which could limit our ability to manufacture our future products and operate our business.

Laws pertaining to healthcare fraud and abuse could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our relationships with physicians, and other healthcare providers are subject to scrutiny under various U.S. and international bribery, fraud and abuse, anti-kickback, false claims, privacy, and similar laws, collectively referred to as “healthcare compliance laws.” Healthcare compliance laws are broad, sometimes ambiguous, complex, and subject to change and changing interpretations, which could restrict our sales or marketing practices. Possible sanctions for violation of these healthcare compliance laws include fines, civil and criminal penalties, exclusion from government healthcare programs, and despite our compliance efforts, we face the risk of an enforcement activity or a finding of a violation of these laws. For example, in 2022 a Japanese trade association (Japan Fair Trade Council of the Medical Devices Industry) ruled that our subsidiary in Japan improperly implemented a program with surgeons and hospitals to obtain videos of cataract surgeries where our cataract intraocular lenses were used.

We have entered into a variety of agreements with healthcare professionals. We have also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as well as a Compliance Program for Interactions with Healthcare Professionals which govern our relationships with healthcare professionals to bolster our compliance with healthcare compliance laws. While our relationships with healthcare professionals are structured to comply with applicable laws and we provide training on these laws and our Code and Program, it is possible that enforcement authorities may view our relationships as prohibited arrangements that must be restructured or for which we would be subject to other significant civil or criminal penalties or debarment. In any event, any enforcement review of or action against us as a result of such review, regardless of outcome, could be costly and time consuming. Additionally, we cannot predict the impact of any changes in or interpretations of these laws. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental regulations that apply to us now or in the future, we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, and disgorgement, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results.

If we recall a product, the cost and damage to our reputation could harm our business.

We have voluntarily recalled our products in the past and recalls could take place again. We may also be subject to recalls initiated by manufacturers of products we distribute. We cannot eliminate the risk of a material recall in the future. Recalls can result in lost sales of the recalled products themselves and can result in further lost sales while replacement products are manufactured, especially if the replacements must be redesigned or approved by regulatory authorities prior to distribution. If recalled products have already been implanted, we may bear some or all of the cost of corrective surgery. Recalls may also damage our professional reputation and the reputation of our products. The inconvenience caused by recalls and related interruptions in supply, the underlying causal issues, and the damage to our reputation, could cause professionals to discontinue using our products.

Companies are required to maintain certain records of actions, even if they determine such actions are not reportable to the FDA or other regulatory bodies. If we determine that certain actions do not require notification of

the FDA or others, the FDA or other regulatory bodies may disagree with our determinations and require us to report those actions as recalls. In addition, the FDA or other regulatory bodies could take enforcement action for failing to report the recalls when they were conducted or failing to timely report or initiate a reportable product action. Moreover, depending on the corrective action we take to redress a product’s deficiencies or defects, the FDA or other regulatory bodies may require, or we may decide, that we will need to obtain new approvals or clearances for the device before we may market or distribute the corrected device. Seeking such approvals or clearances may delay our ability to replace the recalled devices in a timely manner.

Changes in FDA or international regulations related to product approval, including those that apply retroactively, could make us less competitive and harm our business.

FDA and foreign regulations depend heavily on administrative interpretation, and we cannot assure investors that future interpretations made by the FDA or other regulatory bodies, with possible retroactive effect, will not adversely affect us. Additionally, any changes, whether in interpretation or substance, in existing regulations or policies, or any future adoption of new regulations or policies by relevant regulatory bodies, could rescind, prevent or delay approval of our products, which could materially impact our competitive position, business, and financial results. Further, we or our distributors have obtained regulatory approvals outside the United States for many of our products. We or our distributors may be unable to maintain regulatory qualifications, clearances or approvals in these countries or obtain qualifications, clearances, or approvals in other countries. If we are not successful in doing so, our business and financial condition will be harmed.

If our products, or malfunction of our products, cause or contribute to a death or a serious injury, we will be subject to medical device reporting regulations, which can result in voluntary corrective actions, agency enforcement actions and harm to our results.

Under the FDA regulations, we are required to report to the FDA any incident in which our product may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury or in which our product malfunctioned and, if the malfunction were to recur, would likely cause or contribute to death or serious injury. In addition, all manufacturers placing medical devices in international markets, such as European Union and Asian markets, are legally bound to report any serious or potentially serious incidents involving devices they produce or sell to the relevant authority in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred. In the future, we may experience events that would require reporting to the FDA pursuant to the Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulations or to other regulatory bodies pursuant to international regulations. Any adverse event involving our products could result in future voluntary corrective actions, such as product actions or customer notifications, or agency actions, such as inspection, mandatory recall, or other enforcement action. Any corrective action, whether voluntary or involuntary, as well as defending ourselves in a lawsuit, will require the dedication of our time and capital, distract management from operating our business, and may harm our reputation and financial results.

The decision to file an MDR involves a judgment by us as the manufacturer. We have made decisions that certain types of events are not reportable under the MDR and similar regulations; however, there can be no assurance that the FDA or other regulatory bodies will agree with our decisions. If we fail to report MDRs to the FDA or other regulatory bodies within the required timeframes, or at all, or if the FDA or others disagree with any of our determinations regarding the reportability of certain events, the FDA or other regulatory bodies could take enforcement actions against us, which could have an adverse impact on our reputation and financial results.

If we modify our products, we may have to obtain new marketing clearances or approvals or may have to cease marketing or recall the modified products until clearances or approvals are obtained.

Any modification to a 510(k) cleared device that could significantly affect its safety or effectiveness, including any significant change in design or manufacture, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, requires a new 510(k) clearance or, possibly, approval of a PMA. The FDA requires every manufacturer to make this determination in the first instance, but the FDA may review any manufacturer’s decision. The FDA may not agree with our decisions regarding whether new clearances or approvals are necessary. We have modified some of our 510(k) cleared and PMA approved products and have determined based on our review of the applicable FDA guidance that in certain instances new 510(k) clearances or premarket approvals are not required. If the FDA disagrees with our determination and requires us to submit new 510(k) notifications or PMAs for modifications to our previously cleared products for which we have concluded that new clearances or approvals are unnecessary, we may be required to cease marketing and/or to recall the modified product until we obtain clearance or approval, and we may be subject to significant regulatory fines or penalties.

Regulatory agencies in other countries similarly require approval or clearance prior to our marketing or selling products in those countries. We rely on our distributors to obtain regulatory clearances or approvals of our products in certain countries outside of the United States. If we or our distributors are unable to obtain additional clearances or approvals needed to market existing or new products in the United States or elsewhere or obtain these clearances or approvals in a timely fashion or at all, or if our existing clearances or approvals are revoked or restricted, our revenues and profitability may decline.

Investigations and allegations, whether or not they lead to enforcement action or litigation, can materially harm our business and our reputation.

Our failure to comply with the requirements of the FDA or other regulators can result in civil and criminal fines, the recall of products, the total or partial suspension of manufacturing or distribution, seizure of products, injunctions, lawsuits, failure to obtain approval of pending product applications, withdrawal of existing product approvals, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs and other sanctions. Any threatened or actual government enforcement action can also generate adverse publicity and require us to divert substantial resources from more productive uses in our business. Enforcement actions could affect our ability to distribute our products commercially and could materially harm our business.

In addition, negative publicity about investigations or allegations of misconduct, even without a finding of misconduct, could harm our reputation with healthcare professionals and also with the market for our common stock. Responding to investigations or conducting internal investigations can be costly, time-consuming, and disruptive to our business.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock is likely to be volatile.

The market price for our common stock has fluctuated widely. The closing price of our common stock ranged from $46.82 to $111.58 per share during the year ended December 30, 2022. Our stock price could continue to experience significant fluctuations in response to factors such as market perceptions, quarterly variations in operating results, operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors, changes in financial estimates, changes in the business and market valuations of competitors, announcements by us or our competitors of a material nature, additions or departures of key personnel, future sales of our common stock and stock volume fluctuations. Also, general political and economic conditions such as a recession or interest rate fluctuations, and public health crises, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Because we do not intend to pay dividends, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our common stock only if it appreciates in value.

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since our inception. We currently expect to retain any earnings for use to further develop our business, and do not expect to declare cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any such dividends in the future depends upon our earnings, financial condition, capital needs, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors, and may be restricted by future agreements with lenders. As a result, the success of an investment in our common stock will depend entirely upon any future appreciation. There is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which stockholders purchase their shares.

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law, and contractual provisions could delay or prevent an acquisition or sale of our company. Our Certificate of Incorporation empowers our Board of Directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock, and to determine the rights of each such series as provided in our Certificate of Incorporation. These provisions give our Board of Directors the ability to deter, discourage or make more difficult a change in control of our company, even if such a change in control could be deemed in the interest of our stockholders or if such a change in control would provide our stockholders with a substantial premium for their shares over the then-prevailing market price for our common stock. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain other provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect, including the following:

• stockholders cannot act by consent;

• stockholders cannot fill vacancies on our Board of Directors;

In addition, we are generally subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which regulates corporate acquisitions. These provisions could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control transaction. They could also have the effect of discouraging tender offers for our common stock or prevent changes in our management.

Ownership of our common stock is concentrated among a few investors, which may affect the ability of a third party to acquire control of us. Substantial sales by such investors could cause our common stock price to decline.

Our largest investor beneficially owns approximately 18% of our outstanding common stock, and our largest four investors beneficially own approximately 50% of our outstanding common stock. One of our current six directors was recommended by our investors. The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock by any or all of our largest investors or our other stockholders within a short period of time could cause our common stock price to decline, make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of our common stock or acquire other businesses using our common stock as consideration.

In addition, having such a concentration of ownership may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding common stock or control of our Board of Directors, including through a proxy solicitation.

Future sales of our common stock could reduce our stock price.

We could issue additional shares of common or preferred stock to raise additional capital or for other corporate purposes without stockholder approval. In addition, we could designate and sell a class of preferred stock with preferential rights over our common stock with respect to dividends or other distributions. Also, we have filed a universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shelf registration statement is available to cover the future public offering and sale of up to approximately $200,000,000 in equity or debt securities or any combination of such securities. Sales of our common or preferred stock under the shelf registration or in other transactions could dilute the interest of existing stockholders and reduce the market price of our common stock. Even in the absence of such sales, the perception among investors that additional sales of equity securities may take place could reduce the market price of our common stock.

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

ITEM 2. Properties

Our operations are conducted in leased facilities throughout the world. Our global administrative offices, principal manufacturing, warehouse and distribution, are in Monrovia, California. STAAR Surgical AG maintains administrative offices, manufacturing capabilities, warehouse and distribution facilities in Nidau and Brügg, Switzerland. Our facility in Lake Forest, California serves as our corporate headquarters and is expected to handle manufacturing of the EVO Viva to correct or reduce presbyopia after the facility’s approval. The Company leases a research and development facility in Tustin, California and a facility in Aliso Viejo, California for raw material production and research and development activities. STAAR Japan maintains executive offices in Shin-Urayasu, Japan and a final packaging and inspection and distribution facility in Ichikawa City, Japan. We believe our operating facilities in the U.S., Switzerland and Japan are suitable and adequate for our current requirements. The Company could increase capacity as needed.

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

Certain of the legal proceedings in which we are involved are discussed under “Litigation and Claims” in Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

PART II

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (NASDAQ) under the symbol “STAA.”

Holders

As of February 17, 2023, there were approximately 281 record holders of our Common Stock.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock since our inception. We currently expect to retain any earnings for use to further develop our business and not to declare cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any such dividends in the future depends upon the Company’s earnings, financial condition, capital needs, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors and may be restricted by future agreements with lenders.

Stock Performance Graph

This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or incorporated by reference into any filing of STAAR Surgical Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

The following graph shows a comparison from December 29, 2017 to December 30, 2022 of the total performance of the following:

• STAAR Surgical Company;

• The NASDAQ Composite Index;

Angio Dynamics (ANGO) Inogen (INGN)

Anika Therapeutics (ANIK) LeMaitre Vascular (LMAT)

AtriCure (ATRC) Merit Medical Systems (MMSI)

Atrion (ATRI) Nevro (NVRO)

AxoGen (AXGN) Penumbra (PEN)

Cardiovascular Systems (CSII) Surmodics (SRDX)

CryoLife (CRY) Tactile Systems Technology (TCMD)

Glaukos (GKOS) Tandem Diabetes Care (TNDM)

In 2022, we revised our peer group to a standard major market and industry index peer group to better reflect our current company profile and market capitalization. The new peer group is the S&P 400 Health Care Index. The chart below shows our performance compared to both the prior peer group and the new peer group.

Returns in the graph below reflect historical results; we do not intend to suggest they predict future performance. The data assumes $100 was invested on December 29, 2017 in STAAR common stock and in each of the composite indices, and that dividends (if any) were reinvested. We have never paid dividends on our common stock and have no present plans to do so.

ITEM 6. [Reserved]

The matters addressed in this Item 7 that are not historical information constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers can recognize forward-looking statements by the use of words like “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “will,” “should,” “forecast” and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements about any of the following: any projections of or guidance as to earnings, revenue, sales, profit margins, expense rate, cash, effective tax rate, product mix, capital expense or any other financial items; the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures (including but not limited to their impact on sales, operations or clinical trials globally), the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations or prospects for achieving such plans; statements regarding new, existing, or improved products, including but not limited to, expectations for success of new, existing, and improved products in the U.S. or international markets or government approval of a new or improved products; commercialization of new or improved products; future economic conditions or size of market opportunities; expected costs of operations; statements of belief, including as to achieving 2023 business plans; expected regulatory activities and approvals, product launches, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are inherently subject to risks and we can give no assurance that our expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ from those described in this report because of numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, without limitation, those described in this Annual Report in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this report to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect actual outcomes.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of STAAR, including the related notes, provided in this report.

Overview

STAAR Surgical Company designs, develops, manufactures, and sells implantable lenses for the eye and companion delivery systems used to deliver the lenses into the eye. We are the world’s leading manufacturer of intraocular lenses for patients seeking lens-based refractive vision correction, and we also make lenses for use in surgery to treat cataracts. All the lenses we make are foldable, which allows the surgeon to insert them into the eye through a small incision during minimally invasive surgery. Refractive surgery is performed to treat the type of visual disorders that have traditionally been corrected using eyeglasses or contact lenses. We refer to our lenses used in refractive surgery as “implantable Collamer® lenses” or “ICLs.” The field of refractive surgery includes both lens-based procedures, using products like our ICL family of products, and laser-based procedures like LASIK. Successful refractive surgery can correct common vision disorders such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Cataract surgery is a common outpatient procedure where the eye’s natural lens that has become cloudy with age is removed and replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore the patient’s vision. STAAR employs a commercialization strategy that strives for increased share of the refractive market and sustainable profitable growth. Our goal is to position our refractive lenses throughout the world as primary and premium solutions for patients seeking visual freedom from wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses while achieving excellent visual acuity through refractive vision correction. We position our IOL lenses used in surgery that treats cataracts based on quality and value.

See Item 1. “Business,” for a discussion of:

• Operations

• Principal Products

• Distribution and Customers

• Competition

• Regulatory Matters

• Research and Development

Strategic Imperatives for 2023

For 2023 we will focus on the following strategic imperatives:

• Continue our Focus on and Commitment to STAAR’s Culture of Quality; and

• Delight Shareholders.

Finally, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire new product lines, technologies, and companies.

We continue to monitor the commercial and operational impact of new variants of COVID-19 in our markets, which remains uncertain at this time and may adversely affect our financial results. For example, COVID-19 impacted certain of our Chinese customers and, in the U.S., STAAR’s manufacturing operations.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage of total sales represented by certain items reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the period indicated.

Percentage of Net Sales

General and administrative 19.2 % 19.1 % 20.7 %

Total selling, general and administrative 63.1 % 63.0 % 68.3 %

Total other income (expense), net 0.6 % (0.9 )% 0.9 %

Income before income taxes 16.0 % 13.6 % 5.0 %

Provision for income taxes 2.4 % 3.0 % 1.4 %

Net Sales

The following table presents our net sales, by product for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

% of Total Sales % of Total Sales % of Total Sales

Other product sales

Net sales for 2022 increased 23% from 2021. The increase in net sales was due to increased ICL sales of $56.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in other product sales of $2.9 million. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $12.9 million.

Net sales for 2021increased41% from2020. The increase in net sales was due to increased ICL sales of $71.5 million, partially offset by a decrease in other product sales of $4.5 million. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted net sales by $0.5 million.

Total ICL sales for 2022 increased 27% from 2021, with unit growth up 33%. The sales increase was driven by the APAC region, which grew 32% with unit growth of 36%, primarily due to sales growth in other APAC Distributors up 43%, China up 38%, India up 37%, Korea up 18% and Japan up 14%. The Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America region sales decreased 1.0% with unit increase of 15%, due to sales decreases in our direct markets down 8%, offset by sales growth in our distributor markets up 9%. The North America region sales increased 51%, with unit increase of 47%, due to sales growth in the U.S. up 59% and Canada up 10%. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted ICL sales by $10.3 million, which impacted our Japan and Europe, Middle East and Africa markets. ICL sales represented 94.8% of our total sales for fiscal year 2022.

Total ICL sales for 2021 increased 51% from 2020, with unit growth up 48%. The sales increase was driven by the APAC region, which grew 51% with unit growth of 47%, primarily due to sales growth in India up 123%, Japan up 56%, China up 50%, other APAC Distributors up 50% and Korea up 36%. The Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America region sales increased 46% with unit increase of 48%, due to sales growth in our distributor markets of 59% and our direct markets of 38%. The North America region sales increased 57%, with unit increase of 61%, due to sales growth in the U.S. up 58% and Canada up 53%. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted ICL sales by $0.8 million. ICL sales represented 92.4% of our total sales for fiscal year 2021.

Other product sales, includes cataract IOLs, delivery systems and normal recurring sales adjustments such as sales return allowances. As a result of third-party materials and supply chain challenges that affect our cataract IOLs and associated delivery devices, we will no longer manufacture cataract IOLs, though we will continue to support these products through the end of 2023, as supplies permit. We do not expect this decision to have a significant impact to revenue growth in future years. Other product sales for 2022 decreased 16% from 2021, mainly due to decreased sales of cataract IOLs. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted other product sales by $2.6 million. Other product sales represented 5.2% of our total sales for fiscal year 2022.

Other product sales in 2021 decreased 20% from 2020, mainly due to product yield issues requiring rework related to preloaded injector parts manufactured on our behalf by a third-party manufacturer then sold by us to a third-party manufacturer for product they sell to their customers, as well as decreased cataract IOL sales. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted other product sales by $0.3 million. Other product sales represented 7.6% of our total sales for fiscal year 2021.

Gross Profit

The following table presents our gross profit and gross profit margin for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

Percentage Change

Gross profit for 2022 increased 25.0% from 2021. Gross profit margin increased to 78.5% of revenue for 2022 compared to 77.5% of revenue for 2021, due to geographic sales mix and an increased mix of ICL sales which carry a higher margin, partially offset by increased period costs associated with manufacturing expansion projects.

Gross profit for 2021 increased 50.9% from 2020. Gross profit margin increased to 77.5% of revenue for 2021 compared to 72.4% of revenue for 2020, due to higher mix of ICL sales, geographic sales mix, a decreased mix of injector part sales which carry a lower margin, partially offset by increased period costs associated with manufacturing expansion projects. Also contributing to the increase in gross profit margin for 2021, was $1.2 million in non-recurring expenses incurred related to the COVID-19 manufacturing pause from March 17 through April 27, 2020.

General and Administrative Expense

The following table presents our general and administrative expense for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

Percentage Change

General and administrative expenses for 2022 increased 24.0% from 2021, due to increased facilities costs, bonus and stock-based compensation expenses, outside services, and salary-related and payroll tax expenses.

General and administrative expenses for 2021 increased 30.2% from 2020, due to increased bonus and stock-based compensation expenses, salary-related and payroll tax expenses, outside services, facilities costs and corporate insurance.

Selling and Marketing Expense

The following table presents our marketing and selling expense for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

Percentage Change

Selling and marketing expenses for 2022 increased 32.0% from 2021, due to increased advertising and promotional activities, trade shows and sales meetings expense, travel expenses and bonus and stock-based compensation expenses.

Selling and marketing expenses for 2021 increased 47.0% from 2020, due to increased advertising and promotional activities, salary-related and payroll tax expenses, trade shows expense, commission expense, and bonus and stock-based compensation expenses.

Research and Development Expense

The following table presents our research and development expense for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

Percentage Change

Research and development expenses for 2022 increased 6.3% from 2021 due to increased salary-related and payroll tax expenses and bonus and stock-based compensation expenses, partially offset by decreased clinical expenses associated with our clinical trials.

Research and development expenses for 2021 increased 6.1% from 2020 due to increased bonus and stock-based compensation expenses and salary-related and payroll tax expenses, partially offset by decreased clinical expenses associated with our U.S. EVO clinical trial.

Research and development expense consist primarily of compensation and related costs for personnel responsible for the research and development of new and existing products, the regulatory and clinical activities required to acquire and maintain product approvals globally and medical affairs expenses. These costs are expensed as incurred.

Other Income (Expense), Net

The following table presents our other income (expense), net for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

Percentage Change

Percentage of sales 0.6 % (0.9 )% 0.9 %

* Denotes change is greater than +100%.

The change in other income (expense), net for 2022 was due to increased interest income, as a result of our investments held available for sale and higher interest rates and decreased foreign exchange losses (primarily euro). The change in other income (expense), net for 2021 was due primarily to increased foreign exchange losses (primarily euro).

Other income (expense), net generally relates to interest income earned on cash, cash equivalents and investments available for sale, interest expense on finance lease obligations, gains or losses on foreign currency transactions, and royalty income. The table below summarizes the year over year changes in other income (expense), net (in thousands):

Favorable (Unfavorable)

Interest income (expense), net $ 2,486 $ (276 )

Net change in other income (expense), net $ 3,785 $ (3,533 )

Provision for Income Taxes

The following table presents our provision for income taxes for the fiscal years presented (in thousands):

Percentage Change

* Denotes change is greater than +100%.

Our effective tax rates differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily due to the income taxes generated in foreign jurisdictions. Also impacting our effective tax rates was a release of $0.8 million of our U.S. valuation allowance in 2022, a recapture of our U.S. valuation allowance of $0.8 million in 2021 and a release of $0.5 million of our U.S. valuation allowance in 2020. During 2022, 2021 and 2020, there were no unrecognized benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken by us.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe that current cash, cash equivalents, investments available for sale and future cash flow from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including working capital needs, capital expenditures and contractual obligations for at least 12 months from the issuance date of the financial statements included in this Annual Report. Our financial condition at December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021 included the following (in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances in deposits and money market accounts held at banks and financial institutions. Our investment policy primary objective is capital preservation while maximizing our return on investment. Investments available for sale may include U.S. government and corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certain certificates deposit and related security types, that are rated by two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations with minimum investment grade ratings of AAA to A-/A-1+ to A-2, or the equivalent. The maturity of individual investments may not extend 24 months from the date of purchase. There are also limits to the amount of credit exposure in any given security type. Additionally, during 2021 we fully repaid and cancelled our Japan line of credit and cancelled our Swiss framework agreement given our current cash resources. We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Our current liquidity and capital resources, as discussed above, will enable us to meet our known contractual obligations as of December 30, 2022 (in thousands):

Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations Total 1 Year 2 – 3 Years 4 – 5 Years More than 5 Years

Finance lease obligations (Note 9)* $ 397 $ 182 $ 215 $ — $ —

Asset retirement obligation (Note 13)* 220 220 — — —

Overview of changes in cash and cash equivalents and other working capital accounts.

A summary of cash flows for the fiscal years presented (dollars in thousands):

Cash flows from:

Effect of exchange rate changes (862 ) (857 ) 367

For 2022, net cash provided by operating activities consisted of $38.8 million in net income and $25.8 million in non-cash items, offset by $28.9 million in working-capital changes. For 2021, net cash provided by operating activities consisted of $24.5 million in net income and $21.9 million in non-cash items, offset by $2.4 million in working-capital changes. For 2020, net cash provided by operating activities consisted of $17.8 million in non-cash items and $5.9 million in net income, offset by $2.7 million in working-capital changes

For 2022 we decided to invest our cash in slightly higher yielding securities. For 2022, net cash used in investment activities of $156.4 million resulted from $155.7 million in purchases of investments available for sale and $18.1 million in purchases of property, plant and equipment, partially offset by $17.5 million of proceeds from the maturity of investments available for sale. The increase in investment in property, plant and equipment during 2022, relative to 2021, and the increase during 2021, relative to 2020, was primarily due to an increased in investments in manufacturing facilities.

For 2022, net cash provided by financing activities of $8.3 million consisted primarily of proceeds from the exercise of stock options. For 2021, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of $19.4 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by $1.3 million repayment on the Japan line of credit and $0.3 million repayment of finance lease obligations. For 2020, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of $20.6 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by $0.6 million repayment of finance lease obligations and a $0.5 million repayment on the Japan line of credit.

Accounts receivable, net was $62.4 million and $43.5 million at December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Days’ Sales Outstanding (DSO) was 89 and 67 days, respectively for 2022 and 2021. The increase in DSO in 2022 is temporary and was due to decreased customer collections of receivables in the fourth quarter of 2022 primarily from payment delays from customers where there was a surge in COVID-19 cases, resulting from lifting COVID-19 restrictions.

Inventories, net was $24.2 million and $17.2 million at December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Days’ Inventory on Hand (DOH) was 94 and 79 days for 2022 and 2021, respectively, for finished goods, including consignment inventory. The increase in DOH is due to increased production to support sales growth of ICL products.

Shelf Registration

On May 6, 2020, STAAR filed a universal shelf registration statement with the SEC covering the future public offering and sale of up to $200 million in equity or debt securities or any combination of such securities. The shelf registration statement became effective on February 22, 2021 and expires on February 22, 2024. Among the purposes for which STAAR could use the proceeds of securities sold in the future under the shelf registration statement are working capital, capital expenditures, expansion of sales and marketing, and continuing research and development. STAAR could also use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, assets, products, and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we are not currently contemplating or negotiating any such acquisitions or investments. The availability of financing in the public capital markets through the shelf registration statement depends on several factors in place at the time of financing, including the strength of STAAR’s business performance, general economic conditions and investment climate, and investor perceptions of those factors. If STAAR seeks financing under the shelf registration statement in the future, we cannot assure that such financing will be available on favorable terms, if at all.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As disclosed in Note 1, the preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ, significantly at times, from these estimates if actual conditions differ from our assumptions.

We believe the following discussion represents our most critical accounting estimates, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.

Sales Return Reserves

We provide allowances for sales returns such that returns are matched against the sales from which they originated. While such allowances have historically been within our expectations, we cannot guarantee that we will

continue to experience the same return rates that we have in the past. Measurement of such returns is based on an expected loss model whichrequires consideration of, among other factors, historical returns experience and current/anticipated trends, including the need to adjust for current conditions and product lines, the entry of a competitor, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data. We consider all available information in our quarterly assessments of the adequacy of the allowance for sales returns.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for the issuance of stock awards by estimating the fair value of awards issued using the Black-Scholes pricing model. This model’s calculations include the exercise price, the market price of shares on grant date, risk-free interest rates, expected term of the award, expected volatility of our stock and expected dividend yield. For those awards which contain a performance condition, stock-based compensation cost will be recognized when it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved, net of an estimate of pre-vesting forfeitures, over the requisite service period based on the grant-date fair value of the stock. We reassess the probability of vesting at each reporting period and adjust stock-based compensation cost based on our probability assessment.

Income Taxes

In evaluating our ability to recover the deferred tax assets within a jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results and incorporate assumptions including overall current and projected business and industry conditions, the amount of future federal, state, and foreign pretax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the successful implementation of feasible and prudent tax-planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates management uses to manage its businesses. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we also consider three years of cumulative operating results. Valuation allowances, or reductions to deferred tax assets, are recognized if, based on the weight of all the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset may not be realized.

Inventories

We provide estimated inventory allowances for excess, slow moving, expiring and obsolete inventory as well as inventory whose carrying value is more than net realizable value. These reserves are based on current assessments about future demands, market conditions and related management initiatives. If market conditions and actual demands are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on the expiration of products with a shelf life of less than four months, estimated forecasts of product demand and production requirements for the next twelve months. Several factors may influence the realizability of our inventories, including significant changes in demand, decisions to exit a product line, technological change, and new product development. While such inventory losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same loss rates that we have in the past.

Lease Accounting

We recognize right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities for leases with terms greater than twelve months. In recording a lease ROU asset, we consider the following lease extensions only if we are reasonably certain to extend the lease. For leases that increase using an inflation rate indicator, we use the inflation rate at the time the lease was entered into for the length of the lease term. In addition, we use our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate to record the lease ROU asset.

Investments Available for Sale

Investments available for sale are investments in debt securities for which the Company does not have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are measured at fair value. We recognize impairment when there has been a decline in fair value below amortized cost if we intend to sell the security or it is more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. The impairment related to credit losses is recognized in other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Any portion of impairment not related to credit losses is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The measurement of the credit loss component is equal to the difference between the

debt security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Intangible assets (excluding goodwill) and other long-lived assets (including property, plant and equipment and lease ROU assets) are reviewed for impairment whenever events such as product discontinuance, plant closures, product dispositions or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Certain factors which may occur and indicate that an impairment exists include, but are not limited to, the following: significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; significant changes in the manner of use of the underlying assets; and significant adverse industry or market economic trends. In reviewing for impairment, we compare the carrying value of such assets to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the carrying value of assets is determined to be unrecoverable, we would estimate the fair value of the assets and record an impairment charge for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value. The estimate of fair value requires management to make several assumptions and projections, which could include, but would not be limited to, future revenues, earnings and the probability of certain outcomes and scenarios.

Employee Defined Benefit Plans - Pension

The liabilities and annual income or expense of our pension plans are determined using methodologies that involve several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which are the discount rate, expected years of service, salary increases and the expected long-term rate of asset return. The fair values of plan assets are determined based on prevailing market prices.

Foreign Exchange

Management does not believe that the fluctuation in the value of the dollar in relation to the currencies of its suppliers or customers in the last three fiscal years has adversely affected our ability to purchase or sell products at agreed upon prices. No assurance can be given, however, that adverse currency exchange rate fluctuations will not occur in the future, which could significantly affect our operating results. We do not currently hedge transactions to offset changes in foreign currency.

Inflation

Management believes inflation has not had a significant impact on our net sales and revenues and on income from continuing operations during the past three years.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

None.

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages its risks based on management’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risks, opportunity, and costs and does not generally enter into interest rate or foreign exchange rate hedge instruments.

Foreign currency risk

Fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies in which we transact business could adversely affect our financial results.

Our international subsidiaries operate in and are net recipients of currencies other than the U.S. dollar and, as a result, our sales benefit from a weaker dollar and are reduced by a stronger dollar relative to major currencies worldwide (primarily, the euro and the Japanese yen). Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, may negatively affect our consolidated sales and gross profit as expressed in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations during any given reporting period result in the re-measurement of our foreign currency denominated cash, receivables, and payables, generating currency transaction gains or losses and are reported in total other income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. In the normal course of business, we also face risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks include those set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Financial Statements and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K in a separate section following Part IV, as shown on the index under Item 15 of this Annual Report.

None.

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures

Attached as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are certifications of STAAR’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). This “Controls and Procedures” section includes information concerning the controls and controls evaluation referred to in the certifications. The report of BDO USA, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, regarding its audit of STAAR’s internal control over financial reporting follows below. This section should be read in conjunction with the certifications and the BDO USA, LLP report for a more complete understanding of the topics presented.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded, as of the end of the period covered by our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. For purposes of this statement, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change during the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management, including our CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changing conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time. The Company’s processes contain self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.

Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2022, based on the criteria for effective internal control described in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 30, 2022.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Shareholders and Board of Directors

STAAR Surgical Company

Lake Forest, California

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited STAAR Surgical Company’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2022, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedule and our report dated February 22, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Los Angeles, California

February 22, 2023

ITEM 9B. Other Information

None.

ITEM 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Election of Directors” contained in the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Executive Compensation” contained in the Proxy Statement.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders and Management” and “Election of Directors” contained in the Proxy Statement.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Election of Directors” contained in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained in the Proxy Statement.

PART IV

ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

We have filed the following documents as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Page

(1) Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets F-4

Consolidated Statements of Income F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) F-6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9

(2) Schedules required by Regulation S-X are filed as an exhibit to this report

II. Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves F-38

All other schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable, or the required information is otherwise included.

(3) Exhibits

3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.(1)

3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws.(2)

4.1 Form of Certificate for Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.(3)

†4.2 Amended and Restated Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.(4)

4.3 Description of the Registrant’s Securities.(18)

†10.7 Form of Executive Severance Agreement.(9)

†10.8 Form of Executive Change in Control Agreement.(9)

10.12 Form of Option Grant and Stock Option Agreement for employees.(12)

10.14 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant and Agreement.(12)

10.18 Form of Distributorship Agreement.(6)

14.1 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.(15)

21.1 List of Subsidiaries.*

23.1 Consent of BDO USA, LLP.*

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

† Management contract or compensatory plan.

ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY

Date: February 22, 2023 By: /s/ THOMAS G. FRINZI

Thomas G. Frinzi

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board

(principal executive officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name Title Date

Thomas G. Frinzi (principal executive officer)

Patrick F. Williams (principal accounting and financial officer)

/s/ STEPHEN C. FARRELL Director February 22, 2023

Stephen C. Farrell

/s/ GILBERT H. KLIMAN Director February 22, 2023

Gilbert H. Kliman

/s/ AIMEE S. WEISNER Director February 22, 2023

Aimee S. Weisner

/s/ ELIZABETH YEU Director February 22, 2023

Elizabeth Yeu

/s/ K. PEONY YU Director February 22, 2023

K. Peony Yu

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 F-4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves F-38

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors

STAAR Surgical Company

Lake Forest, California

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of STAAR Surgical Company (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2022, and the related notes and schedules (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 at December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated February 22, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

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 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.

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) relate 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 a critical audit matter 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.

Income Tax Provision

As described in Notes 1 and 10 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company operates in multiple jurisdictions. The Company serves international markets and is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions, which affect the Company’s provision for income taxes. The tax provision is based on management’s understanding of current enacted tax laws and tax rates of each tax jurisdiction and assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets. In evaluating the Company’s ability to realize the deferred tax assets, management considers the positive and negative evidence, including the reversals of deferred tax assets and liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations.

F-2

We identified the Company’s calculation of the provision for income taxes, including the judgment and estimation regarding projected taxable income as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations in our determination are the significant judgments required in the development of forecasts and certain assumptions related to the projected sales growth, margins, costs and income by jurisdiction that are used to assess the realizability of deferred tax assets. These forecasts include certain assumptions including the likelihood of continued growth in certain key markets, projected industry-wide performance, macro-economic factors and the development and approval of new products. Auditing these elements involved especially complex auditor judgment due to the nature of audit evidence and extent of audit effort required to address these matters, including the need to involve personnel with specialized knowledge and skills.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 1993.

Los Angeles, California

February 22, 2023

F-3

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021

(In thousands, except par value amounts)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Investments available for sale 125,159 —

Prepayments, deposits and other current assets 13,476 10,900

Investments available for sale 13,902 —

Finance lease right-of-use assets, net 342 506

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 30,270 31,310

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Obligations under finance leases 169 127

Obligations under operating leases 3,524 3,283

Obligations under finance leases 210 382

Asset retirement obligations 220 198

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

Stockholders’ equity:

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 156 (4,048 )

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 414,898 $ 345,778

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Years Ended December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Selling, general and administrative expenses:

Other income (expense), net:

Interest income (expense), net 2,448 (38 ) 238

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions (1,707 ) (2,964 ) 864

Other income (loss), net 205 (48 ) (44 )

Net income per share:

Weighted average shares outstanding:

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Years Ended December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021

(In thousands)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Defined benefit plans:

Reclassification into other income (expense), net 187 487 283

Investments available for sale unrealized loss (406 ) — —

Foreign currency translation gain (loss) (2,090 ) (1,776 ) 717

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 4,204 1,497 (2,497 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years Ended December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021

(In thousands)

Other comprehensive loss — — — (2,497 ) — (2,497 )

Unvested restricted stock 11 — — — — —

Vested restricted stock 108 1 — — — 1

Other comprehensive income — — — 1,497 — 1,497

Unvested restricted stock 3 — — — — —

Vested restricted stock 59 1 — — — 1

Other comprehensive income — — — 4,204 — 4,204

Common stock issued upon exercise of options 427 4 8,418 — — 8,422

Unvested restricted stock 7 — — — — —

Vested restricted stock 62 1 — — — 1

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021

(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment 4,481 3,608 3,060

Amortization of intangibles 28 34 35

Accretion/amortization of investments available for sale (1,198 ) — —

Change in net pension liability 53 137 656

Loss on disposal of property and equipment 65 2 213

Accretion of asset retirement obligation 47 — —

Provision for sales returns and bad debts 913 318 835

Changes in working capital:

Prepayments, deposits, and other current assets (2,549 ) (711 ) (3,753 )

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of investments available for sale (155,748 ) — —

Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments available for sale 17,480 — —

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayment of finance lease obligations (126 ) (348 ) (561 )

Repayment of line of credit — (1,297 ) (515 )

Proceeds from vested restricted stock 1 1 1

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (862 ) (857 ) 367

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-8

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 — Organization and Description of Business and Accounting Policies

Organization and Description of Business

STAAR Surgical Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was first incorporated in 1982 for the purpose of developing, producing, and marketing implantable lenses for the eye and delivery systems used to deliver the lenses into the eye. Principal products are implantable Collamer lenses (“ICLs”), and the Company also sells intraocular lenses (“IOLs”). ICLs, consisting of the Company’s ICL family of products, including the Toric implantable Collamer lenses (“TICL”) and EVO+ Visian ICL, are intraocular lenses used to correct refractive conditions such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia. IOLs are prosthetic intraocular lenses used to restore vision that has been adversely affected by cataracts and include the Company’s lines of silicone IOLs and the Preloaded Injector (a silicone or acrylic IOL preloaded into a single-use disposable injector).

As of December 30, 2022, the Company’s significant subsidiaries consisted of:

The Company operates as one operating segment, the ophthalmic surgical market, for financial reporting purposes (see Note 17).

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of STAAR Surgical Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts in previously issued financial statements related to income taxes have been reclassified to conform to fiscal 2022 presentation (see Note 10).

Fiscal Year and Interim Reporting Periods

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest December 31 and each of the Company’s quarterly reporting periods generally consists of 13 weeks. Fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020 are based on a 52-week period.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of STAAR Japan is the Japanese yen. The functional currency of STAAR Surgical AG is the U.S. dollar.

Assets and liabilities of STAAR Japan are translated at rates of exchange in effect at the close of the period. Sales and expenses are translated at the weighted average of exchange rates in effect during the period. Net foreign translation gain (loss) was as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)(1) $ (2,090 ) $ (1,776 ) $ 717

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions(2) (1,707 ) (2,964 ) 864

(2) Shown as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances in deposits and money market accounts held at banks and financial institutions with maturities of three months or less. Such balances generally exceed the federal insurance limits; however, the Company periodically assesses the financial condition of the institutions and believes that the risk of any loss is minimal.

F-9

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Note 1 — Organization and Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Continued)

Use of Estimates

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and, as such, include amounts based on significant estimates and judgments of management with consideration given to materiality. Significant estimates used include determining valuation allowances for uncollectible trade receivables, sales returns reserves, obsolete and excess inventory reserves, deferred income taxes, and tax reserves, including valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, pension liabilities, evaluation of asset impairment, in determining the useful life of depreciable and definite-lived intangible assets, and in the variables and assumptions used to calculate and record stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when its contractual performance obligations with customers are satisfied. The Company’s performance obligations are generally limited to single sales orders with product shipping to the customer within a month of receipt of the sales order. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are recognized at a point-in-time when control of its products transfers to the customer, which is typically upon shipment (as discussed below). Payment for product sales is collected within a short period following transfer of control of product. The Company presents sales tax and similar taxes it collects from its customers on a net basis (excluded from revenues).

The Company sells certain injector parts to an unrelated customer and supplier (collectively referred to as “supplier”) whereby these injector part sales are either made as a final sale to the supplier or, are sold to be combined with an acrylic cataract IOL by the supplier into finished goods inventory (a preloaded acrylic cataract IOL). These finished goods are then sold back to the Company at an agreed upon, contractual price. The Company makes a profit margin on either type of sale with the supplier and each type of sale is made under separate purchase and sales orders between the two parties resulting in cash settlement for the orders sold or repurchased. For parts that are sold as a final sale, the Company recognizes a sale and those sales are classified as other product sales in total net sales. For the injector parts that are sold to be combined with an acrylic cataract IOL into finished goods, the Company records the transaction at its carrying value deferring any profit margin as contra-inventory, until the finished goods inventory is sold to an end-customer (not the supplier) at which point the Company recognizes revenues.

For all sales, the Company is considered the principal in the transaction as the Company is the party providing specified goods it has control over prior to when control is transferred to the customer. Cost of sales includes cost of production, freight and distribution, and inventory provisions, net of any purchase discounts. Shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer obtains control of the goods are recognized as fulfillment costs.

The Company disaggregates its revenue into the following categories: non-consignment sales and consignment sales.

See Note 17 for additional information on disaggregation of revenues, geographic sales information and product sales.

F-10

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Note 1 — Organization and Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Continued)

Revenue Recognition (Continued)

The Company also enters into certain strategic cooperation agreements with customers in which, as consideration for certain commitments made by the customer, including minimum purchase commitments, the Company agrees, among other things, to pay for marketing, educational training and general support of the Company’s products. The provisions in these arrangements allow for these payments to be made directly to the customer or payments can be made directly to a third party for distinct marketing, educational training and general support services provided to or on behalf of the customer by the third party. For payments the Company makes to another party, or reimburses the customer for distinct marketing and support services, the Company recognizes these payments as sales and marketing expense as incurred. These strategic cooperation agreements are generally for periods of 12 months or more with quarterly minimum purchase commitments. The Company recognizes sales and marketing expenses in the period in which it expects the customer will achieve its minimum purchase commitment, generally quarterly, and any unpaid amounts are recorded in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, see Note 8. Reimbursements made directly to the customer for general marketing incentives are treated as a reduction in revenues. The Company’s performance obligations generally occur in the same quarter as the shipment of product. Sales and marketing expenses for distinct services were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended

Since the payments for distinct or non-distinct services occur within the quarter corresponding with the purchases made by the customer and the shipments made by the Company to that customer, there is no remaining performance obligation by the Company to the customer. Accordingly, there are no deferred revenues associated with these types of arrangements as of December 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based on customer payment history and credit worthiness, as determined by the Company’s review of its customers’ current credit information. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses and uncollectible accounts based upon an expected loss model which considers its historical experience, any specific customer collection issues that have been identified and other relevant observable data, including current economic conditions. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for credit losses.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Sales

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk principally consist of trade receivables. This risk is limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base, and their geographic dispersion. As of December 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there was one customer who accounted for 59% and 47% of the Company’s consolidated trade receivables, respectively. Ongoing credit evaluations of customers’ financial condition are performed and, generally, no collateral is required. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses and such losses, taken together, have not exceeded management’s expectations.

There was one customer who accounted for 52%, 47% and 44% of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

F-11

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Note 1 — Organization and Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Continued)

Sales Return Reserve

The Company generally may permit returns of product if the product, upon issuance of a Return Goods Authorization, is returned within the time allowed by its return policies and records an allowance for estimated returns at the time revenue is recognized. The Company’s allowance for estimated returns is based on an expected loss model which considers historical and current/anticipated trends and experience, the impact of new product launches, the entry of a competitor, availability of timely and pertinent information and the various terms and arrangements offered, including sales with extended credit terms. For estimated returns, sales are reported net of estimated returns and cost of sales are reported net of estimated returns that can be resold. On the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the balances associated for estimated sales returns were as follows (in thousands):

Estimated returns - inventory(1) $ 888 $ 814

(1) Recognized in inventories, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

Investments Available for Sale

Investments available for sale (“AFS”) are investments in debt securities for which the Company does not have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. The Company’s investment policy primary objective is capital preservation while maximizing its return on investment. Investments may include U.S. government and corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certain certificates of deposit and related security types, that are rated by two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations with minimum investment grade ratings of AAA to A-/A-1+ to A-2, or the equivalent. The maturity of individual investments may not extend 24 months from the date of purchase. There are also limits to the amount of credit exposure in any given security type. Investments AFS with maturities of twelve months or less, are classified as short-term, otherwise, they are classified as long-term. Accrued interest receivable is recognized in current investments AFS on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investments AFS are measured at fair value and its unrealized gains and losses reported net of the allowance for credit losses and applicable income taxes, are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cost of investments AFS is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Interest earned, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts recognized, is included in interest income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The cost of investments for purposes of computing realized and unrealized gains and losses is based on the specific identification method.

The Company recognizes impairment of a debt security for which there has been a decline in fair value below amortized cost if management intends to sell the security, or it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. The of impairment related to credit losses is recognized in other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Any portion of impairment not related to credit losses is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The measurement of the credit loss component is equal to the difference between the debt security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield.

F-12

STAAR SURGICAL COMPANY AND SUBSDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Note 1 — Organization and Description of Business and Accounting Policies (Continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:

The carrying values reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net, prepayments, deposits and other current assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments.

STAA US Equity

STAA · 10-K · period ended 2022-12-30

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

ITEM 2. Properties

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

ITEM 6. [Reserved]

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures

ITEM 9B. Other Information

ITEM 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary

STAA US Equity☆

STAA · 10-K · period ended 2022-12-30

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

ITEM 2. Properties

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

ITEM 6. [Reserved]

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures

ITEM 9B. Other Information

ITEM 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary

STAA US Equity