MONROVIA, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STAAR Surgical Company (Nasdaq: STAA), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of minimally invasive ophthalmic products, announced today that it will present at the Focus on Healthcare Conference hosted by Harris Nesbitt Gerard on December 11, 2003. Mr. David Bailey, President and Chief Executive Officer is scheduled to give a presentation discussing the business strategy and financial performance of STAAR at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Attendance at the Harris Nesbitt Gerard conference is by invitation only. Harris Nesbitt Gerard will offer a live webcast of the STAA presentation, which will be available on STAAR's website at www.staar.com. The webcast will be available to the general public and will be archived for 90 days following the live presentation.

About STAAR Surgical

STAAR Surgical is a leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of minimally invasive ophthalmic products employing proprietary technologies. STAAR's products are used by ophthalmic surgeons and include the revolutionary Visian ICL(TM) as well as innovative products designed to improve patient outcomes for cataracts and glaucoma. STAAR's Visian ICL has received CE Marking, is approved for sale in 37 countries and has been implanted in more than 30,000 eyes worldwide.

     CONTACT:  Investors                          Media
               EVC Group                          EVC Group
               Douglas Sherk, 415-896-6820        Sheryl Seapy, 415-272-3323
               Jennifer Cohn, 415-896-6820


SOURCE  STAAR Surgical Company
    -0-                             12/04/2003
    /CONTACT:  Investors, Douglas Sherk, +1-415-896-6820, or Jennifer Cohn,
+1-415-896-6820, or Media, Sheryl Seapy, +1-415-272-3323, all of EVC Group,
for STAAR Surgical Company/
    /Web site:  http://www.staar.com /
    (STAA)

CO:  STAAR Surgical Company
ST:  California
IN:  HEA MTC
SU:  TDS



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7482 12/04/2003 14:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com