STAAR surgical swings to profit as revenue more than doubles on China growth

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ:STAA) reported first-quarter net sales of $93.5 million, an 119.6% increase over the $42.6 million recorded in the first quarter of 2025.

The company’s performance was heavily influenced by a surge in demand for its EVO family of Implantable Collamer Lenses (EVO ICL).

Excluding China, net sales grew by 6% year-over-year to $46.1 million, highlighting the outsized role the Chinese market played in the quarter’s top-line beat.

Profitability metrics also saw a substantial uplift.

Gross margin expanded to 73.6%, up from 65.8% a year ago, reflecting higher production volumes and a favorable geographic product mix.

The company swung to a net income of $5.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, a stark contrast to the net loss of $54.2 million, or $1.10 per share, reported during the same quarter last year.

On an adjusted basis, EBITDA reached $24.4 million ($0.48 per diluted share), compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $26.3 million in the first quarter of 2025.

Management attributed the reversal to disciplined operational spending and the successful execution of commercial initiatives in key growth territories.