STAA
HealthcareSTAAR Surgical Company · Medical - Instruments & Supplies · $2B
What is STAAR Surgical Company?
STAAR Surgical designs and manufactures implantable lenses for the eye, serving patients with common vision disorders worldwide. Incorporated in 1982 and headquartered in Lake Forest, California, the company focuses on corrective and cataract surgical solutions.
STAAR Surgical generates revenue by selling implantable lenses and companion delivery systems to ophthalmic surgeons, surgical centers, hospitals, and distributors. Its flagship Visian ICL family corrects myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia without removing corneal tissue. The company also supplies preloaded silicone intraocular lenses for cataract surgery. Products reach customers through direct sales forces in key markets — including the US, Japan, Germany, and Singapore — and through independent distributors across Asia, Europe, and beyond.
STAAR Surgical was incorporated in 1982 and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California.
- Visian ICL family for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia
- Hyperopic ICL for far-sightedness correction
- Preloaded silicone cataract intraocular lenses
- Injector systems and companion delivery devices
- Injector parts and related ophthalmic instruments
Is STAA a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates STAA as Below Average overall.
Among the five pillars, Growth and Risk both register as Neutral, suggesting the company is neither accelerating sharply nor facing acute financial stress relative to its size. Valuation also sits at Neutral, meaning the market's current pricing is neither clearly stretched nor deeply discounted by UQS criteria.
The Quality and Moat pillars both score Weak — the two areas that typically anchor long-term investor confidence — pointing to thin competitive insulation and below-average business fundamentals relative to sector peers.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does STAA pay dividends?
No — STAAR Surgical Company does not currently pay a dividend.
STAAR Surgical does not currently pay a dividend. For a small-cap medical device company, this is common — available capital is typically directed toward product development, regulatory approvals, and international market expansion rather than shareholder distributions. Investors seeking income should factor this into their portfolio planning.
When does STAA report earnings?
STAAR Surgical reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Results have reflected the company's ongoing push into international markets, particularly in Asia, alongside efforts to grow adoption of its ICL product family. Revenue trends and profitability have varied as the company balances investment in growth with operating discipline.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit STAAR Surgical's investor relations page directly.
STAA Price History
-82.9% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in STAAR Surgical Company?
Based on STAAR Surgical Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
STAA Long-term Outlook
With Growth rated Neutral and Risk also Neutral, STAAR Surgical's near-term trajectory appears measured rather than high-conviction in either direction. The company's international footprint — especially in high-myopia markets across Asia — provides a structural demand tailwind, but Weak Quality and Moat scores suggest execution and competitive pressures remain meaningful headwinds to sustained improvement.
Growth drivers
- Rising global prevalence of myopia, particularly across Asian markets
- Continued international distribution expansion and direct sales force buildout
- Potential adoption growth for ICL as an alternative to laser vision correction
Key risks
- Weak Moat score signals limited pricing power and competitive differentiation
- Weak Quality score points to below-average business fundamentals that could constrain reinvestment capacity
- Currency exposure and regulatory complexity across multiple international markets
STAA vs Peers
STAAR Surgical operates in a competitive healthcare device landscape alongside companies with differing business models and end markets.
Anbio focuses on rapid diagnostic testing products rather than surgical implantable devices, representing a distinct segment within the broader healthcare space.
Azenta provides life sciences sample management and genomics services, operating further upstream in the healthcare value chain compared to STAAR's surgical device focus.
Kestra develops wearable cardioverter defibrillator systems, targeting cardiac patients rather than the ophthalmic surgery market where STAAR competes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does STAAR Surgical do?
STAAR Surgical designs, manufactures, and sells implantable lenses for the eye. Its core products correct vision disorders such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism through the Visian ICL family, and it also supplies intraocular lenses for cataract surgery. The company sells to ophthalmologists, surgical centers, and hospitals worldwide.
Does STAA pay dividends?
STAA does not currently pay a dividend. As a small-cap medical device company, STAAR Surgical reinvests available capital into product development and international market expansion rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions.
When does STAA report earnings?
STAAR Surgical follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. The company does not pre-announce specific report dates far in advance, so investors should check STAAR Surgical's investor relations page for the most current schedule.
Is STAA a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates STAA as Below Average, driven by Weak scores on the Quality and Moat pillars. Growth, Risk, and Valuation all sit at Neutral. Whether STAA fits a portfolio depends on individual risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is STAA overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for STAA is rated Neutral, suggesting the current market price is neither clearly stretched nor deeply discounted relative to the company's fundamentals. Investors seeking a detailed valuation breakdown can access the full analysis through a UQS Pro account.
How does STAA compare to its competitors?
STAAR Surgical occupies a specialized niche in ophthalmic implantable lenses, which differs meaningfully from peers like Azenta (sample management) and Kestra Medical (cardiac devices). Within its own surgical lens category, STAAR's ICL technology competes against laser-based vision correction procedures as much as direct device rivals.
What is STAA's market cap bracket?
STAA is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a segment of the market that can offer growth potential but typically carries higher volatility and less analyst coverage than large- or mega-cap healthcare companies.
Who founded STAAR Surgical?
STAAR Surgical was incorporated in 1982. Detailed founding history, including key individuals involved in the company's early development, is widely available through public corporate records and the company's own investor relations materials.
Is STAA a long-term quality indicator?
From a UQS perspective, long-term quality is assessed through the Quality and Moat pillars — both of which currently score Weak for STAA. This suggests the company has not yet demonstrated the durable competitive advantages and business fundamentals typically associated with high-conviction long-term holdings. Pro members can view the complete breakdown.
What is the main competitive advantage of STAAR Surgical?
STAAR Surgical's primary differentiation lies in its Visian ICL technology, which corrects vision without removing corneal tissue — an attribute that appeals to patients ineligible for laser surgery. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating limited competitive insulation relative to sector peers at this time.
What sector does STAA belong to?
STAA operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within medical devices focused on ophthalmic surgery. The company's products serve both elective vision correction and medically necessary cataract surgery markets, giving it exposure to both discretionary and non-discretionary healthcare spending.
Is STAA a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, STAA's Growth pillar is Neutral and its Valuation pillar is also Neutral — placing it in an in-between category that fits neither a clear growth nor a classic value profile. Investors looking for a definitive classification can explore the full metrics available to Pro members.
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Pro Analysis
STAA — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | 38.3 | 16.7 | 21.0 | 51.6 | 82.4 | 41.5 | +4.4 |
| May 7, 2026 | 33.9 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 49.1 | 47.1 | 51.7 | 0.0 |
| May 3, 2026 | 33.9 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 49.1 | 47.1 | 52.1 | -0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 34.1 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 49.1 | 47.1 | 53.1 | 0.0 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 34.1 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 49.1 | 47.1 | 53.5 | 0.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 34.1 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 49.2 | 47.1 | 53.5 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 34.0 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 48.1 | 47.1 | 54.3 | +0.1 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 33.9 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 48.1 | 47.1 | 53.2 | -7.3 |
| Apr 13, 2026 | 41.2 | 15.8 | 50.0 | 48.1 | 47.1 | 53.4 | +7.6 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 33.6 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 46.6 | 47.1 | 53.6 | -0.5 |
STAA — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 16.7/100 (25%)STAAR Surgical Company currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 51.6/100 (20%)STAAR Surgical Company shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 82.4/100 (15%)STAAR Surgical Company carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 41.4/100 (15%)STAAR Surgical Company has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 21/100 (25%)STAAR Surgical Company operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for STAA.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the STAA UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for STAAR Surgical Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses STAAR Surgical Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether STAAR Surgical Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.