STAAR Surgical Company (NASDAQ:STAA), the global leader in phakic IOLs with the EVO family of Implantable Collamer® Lenses (EVO ICL™) for vision correction, today announced that more than 4 million Implantable Collamer® Lenses (ICLs) have been sold worldwide, marking a milestone in the global shift away from laser-based refractive surgery.

This achievement underscores the growing global preference for lens-based solutions in refractive vision correction as patients and surgeons increasingly choose alternatives to traditional laser-based procedures, which require corneal tissue removal.

"Surpassing 4 million ICLs sold is a major milestone for STAAR," said Deborah Andrews, Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "This achievement reflects not only the strength of our EVO ICL platform and its benefit to patients' lives, but also the broader industry shift toward lens-based refractive correction. As surgeons and patients seek effective and minimally invasive options that preserve corneal integrity, EVO ICL is increasingly becoming a preferred choice in markets around the world."

The shift toward lens-based procedures is supported by recent regulatory and clinical progress. Expanded regulatory indications for EVO ICL in key markets have increased the addressable patient population, while growing real-world evidence and long-term clinical outcomes continue to reinforce the safety, effectiveness, and durability of the EVO ICL platform.

EVO ICL Fast Facts

The first STAAR ICL was implanted in 1993.
STAAR Surgical surpassed 1 million ICLs sold in 2019, 2 million sold in 2022, and 3 million sold in 2024.
The average ICL patient is 32 years old at the time of implant (2025).
EVO and its Visian ICL predecessor are the only implantable lenses made with Collamer, a proprietary, biocompatible material that supports long-term safety outcomes.

The EVO family of Implantable Collamer Lenses is designed to provide durable, high-quality vision correction for a range of refractive errors through a quick, minimally invasive implantation procedure that preserves both the cornea and the eye's natural crystalline lens.

About STAAR Surgical

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ:STAA) is the global leader in implantable phakic intraocular lenses, a vision correction solution that reduces or eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses. Since 1982, STAAR has been dedicated solely to ophthalmic surgery, and for 30 years, STAAR has been designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing advanced Implantable Collamer® Lenses (ICLs), using its proprietary biocompatible Collamer material. STAAR ICLs are clinically proven to deliver safe long-term vision correction without removing corneal tissue or the eye's natural crystalline lens. Its EVO ICL™ product line provides visual freedom through a quick, minimally invasive procedure. STAAR has sold more than 4 million ICLs in over 85 countries. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, the company operates research, development, manufacturing, and packaging facilities in California and Switzerland. For more information about ICL, visit www.EVOICL.com. To learn more about STAAR, visit www.staar.com.

Important Safety Information for EVO ICL

The EVO Visian ICL™ lens is intended to correct/reduce nearsightedness between -3.0 D up to -20.0 D and treat astigmatism from 1.0 D to 4.0 D. If you have nearsightedness within these ranges, EVO Visian ICL surgery may improve your distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Because the EVO Visian ICL corrects for distance vision, it does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, you may require them at some point, even if you have never worn them before. Since implantation of the EVO Visian ICL is a surgical procedure, before considering EVO Visian ICL surgery you should have a complete eye examination and talk with your eye care professional about EVO Visian ICL surgery, especially the potential benefits, risks, and complications. You should discuss the time needed for healing after surgery. Complications, although rare, may include need for additional surgical procedures, inflammation, loss of cells from the back surface of the cornea, increase in eye pressure, and cataracts. You should NOT have EVO Visian ICL surgery if your doctor determines that 1) the shape of your eye is not appropriate, 2) you do not meet the minimum endothelial cell density for your age at the time of implantation, 3) you have moderate to severe glaucoma, 4) your vision is not stable; or 5) if you are pregnant or nursing.

For additional information with potential benefits, risks and complications, please visit www.EVOICL.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "plan," "estimate," "project," "continue," "will," "should," "may," and similar terms. All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from what is expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: our ability to grow or generate profit; the willingness of surgeons and patients to adopt a new or improved product and procedure; and other important factors set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2024 under the caption "Risk Factors," which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available in the "Investor Information" section of the Company's website under the heading "SEC 5 Filings," as any such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required under applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information about the Company and for complying with Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included on our website in the ‘Investor Relations' sections at investors.staar.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor such portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company when you enroll your email address by visiting the Email Alerts section at investors.staar.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260225087038/en/

Media Contact

Kara Ryan

(949) 796-5849

kara.ryan@staar.com

STAAR Surgical Surpasses 4 Million ICLs Sold Globally, Reflecting Ongoing Shift Away from Laser-Based Vision Correction