STAAR Surgical's Vision Clears: Sales Double Amid Global and Internal Tests

LAKE FOREST, CA – July 16, 2026 – In a striking display of operational resilience, STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ: STAA) announced preliminary second-quarter net sales expected to surpass $90 million. The figure more than doubles the $44.3 million reported in the same quarter last year, signaling a powerful rebound and robust underlying demand for its EVO Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs).

This impressive top-line growth, which aligns with analyst consensus forecasts, is particularly noteworthy given the complex backdrop against which it was achieved. The company successfully navigated a gauntlet of external geopolitical headwinds, persistent macroeconomic pressures, and significant internal disruptions from a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation. The results paint a picture of a company hitting its stride, demonstrating an ability to execute on a global scale even when facing turbulence from multiple directions.

A Tale of Two Regions: Resilience Amidst Global Headwinds

A closer look at the regional breakdown reveals a nuanced story of strategic resilience. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region saw net sales decline by a low single-digit percentage. However, this headline number masks a story of strength. The company attributed the dip entirely to "ongoing turmoil in the Middle East," a challenge affecting countless multinationals with exposure to the region. Geopolitical tensions have complicated supply chains and softened consumer demand for elective procedures in affected areas.

Yet, when the Middle East is excluded from the calculation, the rest of the EMEA region delivered double-digit percentage growth. This underlying performance underscores the fundamental health of STAAR's business in its core European markets, suggesting that demand for its vision correction technology remains strong where stability permits. This ability to isolate and weather regional shocks while growing elsewhere speaks to the benefits of a diversified global footprint, a point emphasized by company leadership.

"We are pleased to report that we expect second quarter net sales to be in excess of $90 million, reflecting the strength of our team’s execution and the diversity of our global commercial operations," said Warren Foust, Co-CEO, President and Chief Operating Officer. The Americas also contributed significantly to the positive results, posting double-digit percentage growth. This performance is likely bolstered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision earlier this year to expand the approved age range for EVO ICLs, a move that increased the company's addressable domestic market by an estimated 8 million people.

The Great China Correction: From Inventory Woes to Robust Growth

The most dramatic element of STAAR's Q2 performance is the year-over-year comparison, which requires historical context to fully appreciate. The prior-year quarter (Q2 2025) was intentionally suppressed, as the company shipped minimal product to China while its distributors worked through a significant inventory surplus. That strategic move, while painful for the quarterly numbers at the time, has now paid dividends.

According to the announcement, distributor inventory in China is now back within the company’s targeted range. This normalization has unlocked a powerful recovery, with STAAR reporting strong sequential growth in the crucial Chinese market. Following a standout first quarter where China sales reached $47.4 million, driven by the successful launch of the new EVO+ ICL, this continued momentum confirms the market has stabilized and demand is accelerating. The successful management of the channel inventory demonstrates a deft handling of a key market, positioning the company for more predictable and sustainable growth in the region going forward.

Navigating the Fog of Implementation

While battling external market forces, STAAR Surgical was also managing a significant internal challenge. The company's ongoing implementation of a new ERP system presented what Foust described as "meaningful operational challenges" during the quarter. Such large-scale IT projects are notoriously complex and can temporarily disrupt everything from order processing and supply chain logistics to financial reporting.

For a company to deliver record sales growth while simultaneously overhauling its core operational software is a testament to the agility of its team. Foust acknowledged this directly, stating, "our team again rose to the occasion and delivered strong results." The company has now set its sights on resolving the remaining system issues during the third quarter, signaling that the most disruptive phase of the transition may be ending. For investors, this demonstrates a capacity to absorb internal shocks without derailing strategic progress, a crucial capability in today's fast-paced business environment.

Focusing on the Long-Term Strategic Picture

The strong Q2 sales are not an isolated event but rather a key proof point in the company's broader 2026 strategy, which is built on three pillars: revenue growth, profit expansion, and innovation acceleration. The preliminary results directly validate the first pillar. As for the second, while profit details await the full August 12th earnings report, analysts are widely predicting the company will achieve full-year profitability in 2026, supported by its impressive gross profit margins, which hover around 77%.

The pillar of innovation continues to be the foundation of STAAR's market leadership. The company surpassed a major milestone of 4 million ICLs sold globally earlier this year, indicating a growing clinical and consumer shift toward its lens-based vision correction as an alternative to laser procedures. This market adoption, combined with the recent FDA label expansion in the U.S., provides a powerful tailwind as the company continues to execute on its long-term vision for growth.