STAAR Surgical Co-CEOs Outline Turnaround Plan After Tough 2025
Event summary
- STAAR Surgical installed interim co-CEOs Warren Foust and Deborah Andrews in February 2026 following shareholder rejection of Alcon merger.
- 2025 revenue declined due to China market volatility and elevated distributor inventory, prompting shipment pauses and cost reductions.
- EVO+ lens received China regulatory approval in mid-2025, with early demand exceeding expectations.
- Swiss manufacturing expansion completed to mitigate US-China tariff exposure.
- 2026 priorities include revenue growth, profit expansion, and innovation acceleration.
The big picture
STAAR Surgical faces the challenge of regaining momentum after a difficult 2025 marked by macroeconomic headwinds and operational disruptions. The company's focus on lens-based refractive surgery positions it well against declining laser vision correction procedures, but success hinges on executing its turnaround plan while navigating geopolitical and regulatory complexities. With a global leader in phakic IOLs and proprietary Collamer technology, STAAR's ability to capitalize on rising myopia prevalence will determine its long-term competitiveness.
What we're watching
- China Recovery
- Whether STAAR can sustain mid-single-digit demand growth in China as economic conditions stabilize.
- Execution Risk
- The pace at which co-CEOs implement cost discipline and revenue growth initiatives.
- Product Innovation
- How quickly EVO+ adoption scales and whether new pipeline products expand addressable market.
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