STAAR Surgical (STAA) 10-Q 31 Jul 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014	Jul. 24, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	4-Jul-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'STAA	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	38,593,330
Entity Registrant Name	'STAAR SURGICAL CO	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000718937	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--01-03	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$19,186	$22,954
Accounts receivable trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,461 and $1,449, respectively	12,700	10,731
Inventories, net	14,932	12,514
Prepaids, deposits and other current assets	3,539	3,503
Deferred income taxes	384	373
Total current assets	50,741	50,075
Property, plant and equipment, net	9,320	7,405
Intangible assets, net	1,206	1,380
Goodwill	1,786	1,786
Deferred income taxes	647	626
Other assets	672	659
Total assets	64,372	61,931
Current liabilities:	'	'
Line of credit	4,900	4,750
Accounts payable	5,269	6,263
Deferred income taxes	738	739
Obligations under capital leases	445	288
Other current liabilities	5,833	6,372
Total current liabilities	17,185	18,412
Obligations under capital leases	629	141
Deferred income taxes	1,735	1,654
Asset retirement obligations	134	157
Pension liability	2,858	2,715
Total liabilities	22,541	23,079
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000 shares authorized; 38,361 and 37,911 shares issued and outstanding at July 4, 2014 and January 3, 2014	384	379
Additional paid-in capital	176,204	170,246
Accumulated other comprehensive income	446	282
Accumulated deficit	-135,203	-132,055
Total stockholders’ equity	41,831	38,852
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$64,372	$61,931

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Parenthetical] (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$1,461	$1,449
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000	60,000
Common stock, shares issued	38,361	37,911
Common stock, shares outstanding	38,361	37,911

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Net sales	$20,048	$18,164	$40,226	$36,165
Cost of sales	6,381	5,544	12,675	10,891
Gross profit	13,667	12,620	27,551	25,274
General and administrative	5,321	3,923	10,717	7,881
Marketing and selling	7,026	5,659	13,164	10,945
Research and development	2,498	1,686	5,981	3,052
Medical device tax	47	45	87	104
Other general and administrative expenses	165	613	334	1,514
Operating income (loss)	-1,390	694	-2,732	1,778
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	10	8	18	15
Interest expense	-34	-41	-67	-96
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions	-134	77	-68	-264
Other income, net	126	139	287	230
Other income (expense), net	-32	183	170	-115
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	-1,422	877	-2,562	1,663
Provision for income taxes	367	599	586	914
Net income (loss)	($1,789)	$278	($3,148)	$749
Net income (loss) per share - basic (in dollars per share)	($0.05)	$0.01	($0.08)	$0.02
Net income (loss) per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.05)	$0.01	($0.08)	$0.02
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	38,168	36,496	37,970	36,461
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	38,168	38,342	37,970	37,887

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Net income (loss)	($1,789)	$278	($3,148)	$749
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'	'	'
Net change in plan assets	-11	-18	-23	-30
Reclassification into earnings	6	14	12	19
Impact of change in discount rate	-558	0	-558	0
Curtailment gain	537	0	537	0
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	291	-230	302	-894
Tax effect	-103	-1	-106	-5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	162	-235	164	-910
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	($1,627)	$43	($2,984)	($161)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($3,148)	$749
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation of property and equipment	981	840
Amortization of intangibles	213	225
Deferred income taxes	57	129
Fair value adjustment of warrant	0	-27
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	0	59
Change in net pension liability	83	57
Stock-based compensation expense	3,183	2,019
Accretion of asset retirement obligation	2	7
Provision for sales returns and bad debts	1	111
Changes in working capital:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-1,895	-2,229
Inventories	-2,093	71
Prepaids, deposits and other current assets	-20	-507
Accounts payable	-874	-1,123
Other current liabilities	-554	-25
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-4,064	356
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Cash proceeds from sale of equipment	68	0
Acquisition of property and equipment	-2,269	-2,017
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,201	-2,017
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of capital lease obligations	-251	-478
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	2,632	952
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,381	474
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	116	-763
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-3,768	-1,950
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of the period	22,954	21,675
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of the period	$19,186	$19,725

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Note 1 — Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of STAAR Surgical Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in comprehensive financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2014.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended July 4, 2014 and June 28, 2013, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The results of operations for the six months ended July 4, 2014 and June 28, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.
	Each of the Company's reporting periods ends on the Friday nearest to the quarter ending date and generally consists of 13 weeks.  Unless the context indicates otherwise “we,” “us,” the “Company,” and “STAAR” refer to STAAR Surgical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
	Prior Year Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods’ unaudited condensed financial statements and disclosures to conform to the current period’s presentation.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Shared Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)”. ASU 2014-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is assessing the impact, if any, to the consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This guidance includes the required steps to achieve the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company expects to adopt this guidance when effective, and the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not currently estimable.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 2 — Inventories
	Inventories, net are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or market value and consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Raw materials and purchased parts	$	1,867	$	1,367
	Work-in-process		1,769		913
	Finished goods		12,463		11,029
			16,099		13,309
	Less: inventory reserves		1,167		795
		$	14,932	$	12,514

Prepaids_Deposits_and_Other_Cu

Prepaids, Deposits, and Other Current Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Prepaid Expenses Deposits and Other Current Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses Deposits and Other Current Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 3 — Prepaids, Deposits, and Other Current Assets
	Prepaids, deposits, and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Prepaid and deposits	$	1,990	$	2,157
	Value added tax (VAT) receivable		631		618
	Deferred charges for foreign profits		340		362
	Other current assets		578		366
		$	3,539	$	3,503

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 4 — Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Machinery and equipment	$	16,670	$	16,225
	Furniture and fixtures		5,455		4,837
	Leasehold improvements		7,573		6,552
			29,698		27,614
	Less: accumulated depreciation		20,378		20,209
		$	9,320	$	7,405

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets

Amortizable Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 5 – Amortizable Intangible Assets
	Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4, 2014						January 3, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying		Amortization				Carrying		Amortization
		Amount						Amount
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Patents and licenses	$	10,657	$	-10,173	$	484	$	10,637	$	-10,057	$	580
	Customer relationships		1,537		-999		538		1,490		-894		596
	Developed technology		977		-793		184		947		-743		204
	Total	$	13,171	$	-11,965	$	1,206	$	13,074	$	-11,694	$	1,380

Other_Current_Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 6 – Other Current Liabilities
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Accrued salaries and wages	$	1,770	$	1,630
	Accrued bonuses		1,107		935
	Accrued severance		350		731
	Accrued income taxes		317		485
	Accrued audit fees		310		328
	Accrued commissions		296		528
	Accrued insurance		154		551
	Other(1)		1,529		1,184
		$	5,833	$	6,372
	(1)No item in “Other” above exceeds 5% of the total other current liabilities

Pension_Plans

Pension Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 7 – Pension Plans
	During the three months ended July 4, 2014, pursuant to the Manufacturing Consolidation Project, the Company terminated certain employees in its Swiss subsidiary resulting in a Swiss pension plan curtailment as defined by ASC 715-30-35, Defined Benefit Plans – Pensions, Settlements, Curtailments, and Certain Termination Benefits. The curtailment resulted in a decrease of $1.2 million in the Swiss pension plan’s projected benefit obligation, of which $0.7 million was used to distribute cash payments to employees resulting in a decrease in plan assets. The remaining $0.5 million was    recorded as a curtailment gain measured in accordance with ASC 715-30-35-93. However, since the Swiss pension plan’s accumulated other comprehensive loss, immediately preceding the curtailment exceeded the curtailment gain, the curtailment gain was fully offset against the loss and no gain was recognized in earnings
	As of July 4, 2014, the discount rate, one of the key assumptions used to calculate the Swiss pension plan’s projected benefit obligation, was reduced from 2.5% to 2%, resulting in an increase to the projected benefit obligation of $0.6 million recorded through an offsetting increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss account of the Swiss pension plan.
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost recorded for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans (in thousands):
		Three Months		Three Months		Six Months		Six Months
		Ended		Ended		Ended		Ended
		July 4, 2014		June 28, 2013		July 4, 2014		June 28, 2013
	Service cost	$	117	$	80	$	233	$	204
	Interest cost		36		25		71		52
	Expected return on plan assets		-28		-24		-55		-48
	Net amortization of transitional obligation		—		—		—		3
	Actuarial loss recognized in current period		6		14		12		19
		$	131	$	95	$	261	$	230
	During the six months ended July 4, 2014 and June 28, 2013, the Company made cash contributions totaling approximately $276,000 and $115,000 to its Swiss pension plan and does not expect to make any additional cash contributions during the remainder of 2014 , as the Company has met the annual contribution requirement. The Company is not required to and does not make contributions to its Japan pension plan.

Basic_and_Diluted_Income_Per_S

Basic and Diluted Income Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Note 8 — Basic and Diluted Income Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	-1,789		$	278	$	-3,148	$	749
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares and denominator for basic calculation:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		38,400			36,830		38,247		36,745
	Less: Unvested restricted stock		-232			-334		-277		-284
	Denominator for basic calculation		38,168			36,496		37,970		36,461
	Weighted average effects of dilutive equity-based compensation awards:
	Stock options		—			999		—		746
	Restricted stock		—			139		—		94
	Warrants		—			708		—		586
	Denominator for diluted calculation		38,168			38,342		37,970		37,887
	Net income (loss) per share – basic	$	-0.05		$	0.01	$	-0.08	$	0.02
	Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$	-0.05		$	0.01	$	-0.08	$	0.02
	The following tables sets forth (in thousands) the weighted average number of options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock, which were not included in the calculation of diluted per share amounts because the effects would be anti-dilutive.
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		July 4,		June 28,		July 4,	June 28,
		2014		2013		2014	2013
	Options	2,216		1,262		2,117	1,428
	Restricted stock and units	195		25		280	110
	Warrants	526		—		527	—
	Total	2,937		1,287		2,924	1,538

Geographic_and_Product_Data

Geographic and Product Data	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 9 — Geographic and Product Data
	The Company markets and sells its products in over 60 countries and has two manufacturing sites in the United States. During the quarter ended July 4, 2014, the Company completed the consolidation of its Swiss manufacturing facility to the U.S. Other than the United States, Japan, Korea, China, Spain, France and Germany, the Company does not conduct business in any country in which its sales exceed 5% of consolidated sales. Sales are attributed to countries based on location of customers. The composition of the Company’s net sales to unaffiliated customers is set forth below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		July 4,		June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Japan	$	4,549	$	4,648	$	9,557	$	9,387
	United States		2,926		3,154		5,801		6,394
	China		2,535		2,230		4,759		4,301
	Korea		1,952		1,834		4,573		3,869
	Spain		1,474		1,163		3,092		2,454
	France		1,190		595		2,136		1,127
	Germany		1,015		611		1,912		1,126
	Other		4,407		3,929		8,396		7,507
	Total	$	20,048	$	18,164	$	40,226	$	36,165
	100% of the Company’s sales are generated from the ophthalmic surgical product segment, and therefore the Company operates as one operating segment for financial reporting purposes. The Company’s principal products are implantable Collamer lenses (“ICLs”) used in refractive surgery and intraocular lenses (“IOLs”) used in cataract surgery. The composition of the Company’s net sales by product line is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		July 4,		June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	ICLs	$	12,172	$	11,261	$	24,413	$	21,892
	IOLs		6,428		5,863		13,041		12,211
	Core products		18,600		17,124		37,454		34,103
	Other surgical products		1,448		1,040		2,772		2,062
	Total	$	20,048	$	18,164	$	40,226	$	36,165
	One customer accounted for 11% of net sales for the three and six months ended July 4, 2014. This customer accounted for 11% and 10% of net sales for the three and six months ended June 28, 2013. One customer accounted for 12% of net sales for the six months ended July 4, 2014. This customer accounted for 10% and 11% of net sales for the three and six months ended June 28, 2013, respectively.
	The Company sells its products internationally, which subjects the Company to several potential risks including regional/country economic conditions and regulatory requirements, including fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates (to the extent the Company’s transactions are not in U.S. dollars), regulation of fund transfers by foreign governments, United States and foreign export and import duties and tariffs, and political instability.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 10 — Stock-Based Compensation
	The cost that has been charged against income for stock-based compensation is set forth below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Employee stock options	$	675		$	666	$	1,472	$	1,492
	Restricted stock		232			252		525		435
	Restricted stock units		764			—		1,152		—
	Nonemployee stock options		12			66		34		92
	Total	$	1,683		$	984	$	3,183	$	2,019
	The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense in the following categories on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Cost of sales	$	39		$	25	$	77	$	50
	General and administrative		1,033			646		1,970		1,357
	Marketing and selling		306			212		580		382
	Research and development		305			101		556		230
	Total	$	1,683		$	984	$	3,183	$	2,019
	Stock Option Plans
	The Amended and Restated 2003 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (“the Plan”) provides for various forms of stock-based incentives. To date, of the available forms of awards under the Plan, the Company has granted stock options, restricted stock, unrestricted stock grants, and restricted stock units (RSUs). Options under the plan are granted at fair market value on the date of grant, become exercisable over a three year period, or as determined by the Board of Directors, and expire over periods not exceeding 10 years from the date of grant. Certain options and stock awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control or certain-pre-established financial metrics are met. Pursuant to the Plan, options for 3,276,770 shares were outstanding at July 4, 2014 with exercise prices ranging between $0.95 and $17.62 per share. Restricted stock grants under the Plan generally vest over a period of between one to three years. There were 229,500 shares of restricted stock and 299,000 RSUs outstanding at July 4, 2014. As of July 4, 2014, there were 1,998,046 shares authorized and available for grants under the Plan.
	Assumptions
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model applying the weighted-average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected term of options granted is derived from the historical exercises and post-vesting cancellations and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company has calculated a 7% estimated forfeiture rate based on historical forfeiture experience. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve corresponding to the expected term at the time of the grant.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Expected dividend yield	0	%		0	%	0	%	0	%
	Expected volatility	56	%		72	%	55	%	73	%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3	%		0.7	%	1.29	%	0.62	%
	Expected term (in years)	4.12			4.12		4.12		4.12
	A summary of option activity under the Plan as of July 4, 2014 is presented below:
		Options
		Shares
		(000’s)
	Outstanding at January 3, 2014	3,299
	Granted	576
	Exercised	-564
	Forfeited or expired	-34
	Outstanding at July 4, 2014	3,277
	Exercisable at July 4, 2014	2,082
	Warrants outstanding and exercisable as of July 4, 2014 and January 3, 2014 were 700,000.
	A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units activity under the Plan for the period ending July 4, 2014 is presented below:
		Restricted		Restricted
		Shares		Units
		(000’s)		(000’s)
	Outstanding at January 3, 2014	341		135
	Granted	29		304
	Exercised	-140		-135
	Forfeited	—		-5
	Outstanding at July 4, 2014	230		299

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 11 — Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate.  The effective tax rate may be subject to fluctuations during the year as new information is obtained, which may affect the assumptions used to estimate the annual effective tax rate, including factors such as the mix of pre-tax earnings in the various tax jurisdictions applicable to the Company, valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, the recognition or de-recognition of tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions, if any, and changes in or the interpretation of tax laws in jurisdictions where the Company conducts business.
	The Company recorded an income tax provision of $586,000 and $914,000 for the six months ended July 4, 2014 and June 28, 2013, respectively, primarily benefiting in the current six-month period from the mix of pre-tax earnings in lower- and zero- rate foreign jurisdictions.  There are no unrecognized tax benefits as of any period presented.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 12 — Commitments and Contingencies
	Litigation and Claims
	From time to time the Company may be subject to various claims and legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of our business. The Company expenses legal costs as incurred. These claims and legal proceedings may relate to contractual rights and obligations, securities or employment matters, or claims of product liability. The most significant of these actions and proceedings is described below. STAAR maintains insurance coverage for product liability and certain securities claims. Legal proceedings can extend for several years, and the matter described below concerning the Company is at very early stages of the legal process. As a result, this matter has not yet progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues to enable the Company to determine whether the proceeding is material to the Company or to estimate a range of possible loss, if any. Unless otherwise disclosed, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss for the legal proceedings described below. While it is not possible to accurately predict or determine the eventual outcomes of this matter, an adverse determination in one or more of these items currently pending could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
	Todd v. STAAR
	On July 8, 2014, a putative securities class action lawsuit was filed by Edward Todd against the Company and three officers in federal court located in Los Angeles, California. The plaintiff claims that STAAR made misleading statements to and omitted material information from the Company’s investors between February 27, 2013 and June 30, 2014 about alleged regulatory violations at the Company’s Monrovia manufacturing facility. The Company was served with the Complaint on July 21, 2014.  Although the ultimate outcome of this action cannot be determined with certainty, the Company believes that the allegations in the Complaint are without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend against this lawsuit. The Company intends to file a motion to dismiss the complaint, when appropriate, in the ongoing proceeding.

Manufacturing_Consolidation_Pr

Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 13 — Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy
	From fiscal 2011 through June 2014, the Company has devoted significant resources to two initiatives: a project to consolidate global manufacturing and development of a strategy to optimize its global organization for tax purposes. The goal of these initiatives is to further improve upon gross profit margin by streamlining operations, thereby reducing costs and  increasing profits in the U.S., to enable the Company to utilize its approximately $122 million in net operating loss carryforwards and at the same time, reduce income taxes in foreign jurisdictions where it pays tax. STAAR had manufactured its products in four facilities worldwide (Monrovia, Ca., Aliso Viejo, Ca., Nidau, Switzerland, and Ichikawa City, Japan). As of June 2014, all international production has been consolidated into the Monrovia site. Aliso Viejo is expected to integrate into Monrovia in the middle of 2015.
	The Company has invested approximately $6.3 million since inception of these initiatives, including $334,000 incurred during the six months ended July 4, 2014, and future expenses, if any, are not expected to be material. These consolidation expenses are included in the other general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.  Expenditures to date have largely consisted of severance, employee costs, professional fees to advisors and consultants.
	A summary of the activity for these initiatives is presented below for the six-month  period ended July 4, 2014 (in thousands):
		Termination Benefits		Other		Total
				Associated Costs
	Liability at January 3, 2014	$	731	$	28	$	759
	Costs incurred and charged to expense		212		122		334
	Cash payments		-593		-150		-743
	Liability at July 4, 2014	$	350	$	—	$	350

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of STAAR Surgical Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in comprehensive financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2014.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended July 4, 2014 and June 28, 2013, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The results of operations for the six months ended July 4, 2014 and June 28, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year.
	Each of the Company's reporting periods ends on the Friday nearest to the quarter ending date and generally consists of 13 weeks.  Unless the context indicates otherwise “we,” “us,” the “Company,” and “STAAR” refer to STAAR Surgical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Prior Year Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods’ unaudited condensed financial statements and disclosures to conform to the current period’s presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Shared Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)”. ASU 2014-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is assessing the impact, if any, to the consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This guidance includes the required steps to achieve the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company expects to adopt this guidance when effective, and the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not currently estimable.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	'
	Inventories, net are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or market value and consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Raw materials and purchased parts	$	1,867	$	1,367
	Work-in-process		1,769		913
	Finished goods		12,463		11,029
			16,099		13,309
	Less: inventory reserves		1,167		795
		$	14,932	$	12,514

Prepaids_Deposits_and_Other_Cu1

Prepaids, Deposits, and Other Current Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses [Table Text Block]	'
	Prepaids, deposits, and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Prepaid and deposits	$	1,990	$	2,157
	Value added tax (VAT) receivable		631		618
	Deferred charges for foreign profits		340		362
	Other current assets		578		366
		$	3,539	$	3,503

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Machinery and equipment	$	16,670	$	16,225
	Furniture and fixtures		5,455		4,837
	Leasehold improvements		7,573		6,552
			29,698		27,614
	Less: accumulated depreciation		20,378		20,209
		$	9,320	$	7,405

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_

Amortizable Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4, 2014						January 3, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying		Amortization				Carrying		Amortization
		Amount						Amount
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Patents and licenses	$	10,657	$	-10,173	$	484	$	10,637	$	-10,057	$	580
	Customer relationships		1,537		-999		538		1,490		-894		596
	Developed technology		977		-793		184		947		-743		204
	Total	$	13,171	$	-11,965	$	1,206	$	13,074	$	-11,694	$	1,380

Other_Current_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		July 4,		January 3,
		2014		2014
	Accrued salaries and wages	$	1,770	$	1,630
	Accrued bonuses		1,107		935
	Accrued severance		350		731
	Accrued income taxes		317		485
	Accrued audit fees		310		328
	Accrued commissions		296		528
	Accrued insurance		154		551
	Other(1)		1,529		1,184
		$	5,833	$	6,372
	(1)No item in “Other” above exceeds 5% of the total other current liabilities

Pension_Plans_Tables

Pension Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost recorded for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans (in thousands):
		Three Months		Three Months		Six Months		Six Months
		Ended		Ended		Ended		Ended
		July 4, 2014		June 28, 2013		July 4, 2014		June 28, 2013
	Service cost	$	117	$	80	$	233	$	204
	Interest cost		36		25		71		52
	Expected return on plan assets		-28		-24		-55		-48
	Net amortization of transitional obligation		—		—		—		3
	Actuarial loss recognized in current period		6		14		12		19
		$	131	$	95	$	261	$	230

Basic_and_Diluted_Income_Per_S1

Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	-1,789		$	278	$	-3,148	$	749
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares and denominator for basic calculation:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		38,400			36,830		38,247		36,745
	Less: Unvested restricted stock		-232			-334		-277		-284
	Denominator for basic calculation		38,168			36,496		37,970		36,461
	Weighted average effects of dilutive equity-based compensation awards:
	Stock options		—			999		—		746
	Restricted stock		—			139		—		94
	Warrants		—			708		—		586
	Denominator for diluted calculation		38,168			38,342		37,970		37,887
	Net income (loss) per share – basic	$	-0.05		$	0.01	$	-0.08	$	0.02
	Net income (loss) per share - diluted	$	-0.05		$	0.01	$	-0.08	$	0.02
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables sets forth (in thousands) the weighted average number of options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock, which were not included in the calculation of diluted per share amounts because the effects would be anti-dilutive.
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		July 4,		June 28,		July 4,	June 28,
		2014		2013		2014	2013
	Options	2,216		1,262		2,117	1,428
	Restricted stock and units	195		25		280	110
	Warrants	526		—		527	—
	Total	2,937		1,287		2,924	1,538

Geographic_and_Product_Data_Ta

Geographic and Product Data (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]	'
	The composition of the Company’s net sales to unaffiliated customers is set forth below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		July 4,		June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Japan	$	4,549	$	4,648	$	9,557	$	9,387
	United States		2,926		3,154		5,801		6,394
	China		2,535		2,230		4,759		4,301
	Korea		1,952		1,834		4,573		3,869
	Spain		1,474		1,163		3,092		2,454
	France		1,190		595		2,136		1,127
	Germany		1,015		611		1,912		1,126
	Other		4,407		3,929		8,396		7,507
	Total	$	20,048	$	18,164	$	40,226	$	36,165
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
	The composition of the Company’s net sales by product line is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		July 4,		June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	ICLs	$	12,172	$	11,261	$	24,413	$	21,892
	IOLs		6,428		5,863		13,041		12,211
	Core products		18,600		17,124		37,454		34,103
	Other surgical products		1,448		1,040		2,772		2,062
	Total	$	20,048	$	18,164	$	40,226	$	36,165

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Compensation Cost [Table Text Block]	'
	The cost that has been charged against income for stock-based compensation is set forth below (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Employee stock options	$	675		$	666	$	1,472	$	1,492
	Restricted stock		232			252		525		435
	Restricted stock units		764			—		1,152		—
	Nonemployee stock options		12			66		34		92
	Total	$	1,683		$	984	$	3,183	$	2,019
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense in the following categories on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Cost of sales	$	39		$	25	$	77	$	50
	General and administrative		1,033			646		1,970		1,357
	Marketing and selling		306			212		580		382
	Research and development		305			101		556		230
	Total	$	1,683		$	984	$	3,183	$	2,019
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve corresponding to the expected term at the time of the grant.
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		July 4,			June 28,		July 4,		June 28,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Expected dividend yield	0	%		0	%	0	%	0	%
	Expected volatility	56	%		72	%	55	%	73	%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3	%		0.7	%	1.29	%	0.62	%
	Expected term (in years)	4.12			4.12		4.12		4.12
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of option activity under the Plan as of July 4, 2014 is presented below:
		Options
		Shares
		(000’s)
	Outstanding at January 3, 2014	3,299
	Granted	576
	Exercised	-564
	Forfeited or expired	-34
	Outstanding at July 4, 2014	3,277
	Exercisable at July 4, 2014	2,082
	A summary of restricted stock and restricted stock units activity under the Plan for the period ending July 4, 2014 is presented below:
		Restricted		Restricted
		Shares		Units
		(000’s)		(000’s)
	Outstanding at January 3, 2014	341		135
	Granted	29		304
	Exercised	-140		-135
	Forfeited	—		-5
	Outstanding at July 4, 2014	230		299

Manufacturing_Consolidation_Pr1

Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the activity for these initiatives is presented below for the six-month  period ended July 4, 2014 (in thousands):
		Termination Benefits		Other		Total
				Associated Costs
	Liability at January 3, 2014	$	731	$	28	$	759
	Costs incurred and charged to expense		212		122		334
	Cash payments		-593		-150		-743
	Liability at July 4, 2014	$	350	$	—	$	350

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Public Utilities, Inventory [Line Items]	'	'
Raw materials and purchased parts	$1,867	$1,367
Work-in-process	1,769	913
Finished goods	12,463	11,029
Inventory, Gross	16,099	13,309
Less: inventory reserves	1,167	795
Inventory, Net	$14,932	$12,514

Prepaids_Deposits_and_Other_Cu2

Prepaids, Deposits, and Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Line Items]	'	'
Prepaid and deposits	$1,990	$2,157
Value added tax (VAT) receivable	631	618
Deferred charges for foreign profits	340	362
Other current assets	578	366
Prepaid Expenses Deposits and Other Assets Current	$3,539	$3,503

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Machinery and equipment	$16,670	$16,225
Furniture and fixtures	5,455	4,837
Leasehold improvements	7,573	6,552
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	29,698	27,614
Less: accumulated depreciation	20,378	20,209
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	$9,320	$7,405

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_1

Amortizable Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized intangible assets:	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$13,171	$13,074
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-11,965	-11,694
Amortizable intangible assets, Net	1,206	1,380
Patents and Licenses [Member]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets:	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	10,657	10,637
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-10,173	-10,057
Amortizable intangible assets, Net	484	580
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets:	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	1,537	1,490
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-999	-894
Amortizable intangible assets, Net	538	596
Developed technology [Member]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets:	'	'
Amortizable intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount	977	947
Amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-793	-743
Amortizable intangible assets, Net	$184	$204

Other_Current_Liabilities_Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 04, 2014		Jan. 03, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities, Current [Line Items]	'		'
Accrued salaries and wages	$1,770		$1,630
Accrued bonuses	1,107		935
Accrued severance	350		731
Accrued income taxes	317		485
Accrued audit fees	310		328
Accrued commissions	296		528
Accrued insurance	154		551
Other	1,529	[1]	1,184	[1]
Other Liabilities, Current	$5,833		$6,372
[1]	No item in “Other” above exceeds 5% of the total other current liabilities

Other_Current_Liabilities_Deta1

Other Current Liabilities (Details Textual)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Other Liabilities, Current [Line Items]	'
Percentage Of Other Current Liabilities	5.00%

Pension_Plans_Details

Pension Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$117	$80	$233	$204
Interest cost	36	25	71	52
Expected return on plan assets	-28	-24	-55	-48
Net amortization of transitional obligation	0	0	0	3
Actuarial loss recognized in current period	6	14	12	19
Net periodic pension cost	$131	$95	$261	$230

Pension_Plans_Details_Textual

Pension Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments	$1,200,000	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements	700,000	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments	537,000	0	537,000	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation	600,000	'	600,000	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Percentage	2.50%	'	2.50%	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Percentage	2.00%	'	2.00%	'
Swiss Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions By Employer	'	'	$276,000	$115,000

Basic_and_Diluted_Income_Per_S2

Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($1,789)	$278	($3,148)	$749
Weighted average common shares and denominator for basic calculation:	'	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	38,400	36,830	38,247	36,745
Less: Unvested restricted stock	-232	-334	-277	-284
Denominator for basic calculation	38,168	36,496	37,970	36,461
Weighted average effects of dilutive equity-based compensation awards:	'	'	'	'
Stock options	0	999	0	746
Restricted stock	0	139	0	94
Warrants	0	708	0	586
Denominator for diluted calculation	38,168	38,342	37,970	37,887
Net income (loss) per share - basic (in dollars per share)	($0.05)	$0.01	($0.08)	$0.02
Net income (loss) per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.05)	$0.01	($0.08)	$0.02

Basic_and_Diluted_Income_Per_S3

Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Details 1)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,937	1,287	2,924	1,538
Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,216	1,262	2,117	1,428
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	195	25	280	110
Warrant [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	526	0	527	0

Geographic_and_Product_Data_De

Geographic and Product Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$20,048	$18,164	$40,226	$36,165
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	4,549	4,648	9,557	9,387
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	2,926	3,154	5,801	6,394
China [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	2,535	2,230	4,759	4,301
Korea [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,952	1,834	4,573	3,869
Spain [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,474	1,163	3,092	2,454
France [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,190	595	2,136	1,127
Germany [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,015	611	1,912	1,126
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$4,407	$3,929	$8,396	$7,507

Geographic_and_Product_Data_De1

Geographic and Product Data (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$20,048	$18,164	$40,226	$36,165
Implantable Collamer Lenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	12,172	11,261	24,413	21,892
Intraocular Lenses [Member]	'	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	6,428	5,863	13,041	12,211
Core products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	18,600	17,124	37,454	34,103
Other surgical products [Member]	'	'	'	'
Product Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$1,448	$1,040	$2,772	$2,062

Geographic_and_Product_Data_De2

Geographic and Product Data (Details Textual)	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
		Customer One [Member]	Customer One [Member]	Customer One [Member]	Customer One [Member]	Customer Two [Member]	Customer Two [Member]	Customer Two [Member]
Geographic and Product Data [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Description of Revenue from External Customers	'The Company markets and sells its products in over 60 countries and has two manufacturing sites in the United States. During the quarter ended July 4, 2014, the Company completed the consolidation of its Swiss manufacturing facility to the U.S. Other than the United States, Japan, Korea, China,Spain, France and Germany,the Company does not conduct business in any country in which its sales exceed 5% of consolidated sales.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Sales To Consolidated Sales Percentage	100.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	'	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%	10.00%	10.00%	12.00%	11.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Employee stock options	$675	$666	$1,472	$1,492
Restricted stock	232	252	525	435
Restricted stock units	764	0	1,152	0
Nonemployee stock options	12	66	34	92
Total	$1,683	$984	$3,183	$2,019

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	$1,683	$984	$3,183	$2,019
Cost of Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	39	25	77	50
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	1,033	646	1,970	1,357
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	306	212	580	382
Research and Development Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost	$305	$101	$556	$230

StockBased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	56.00%	72.00%	55.00%	73.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.30%	0.70%	1.29%	0.62%
Expected term (in years)	'4 years 1 month 13 days	'4 years 1 month 13 days	'4 years 1 month 13 days	'4 years 1 month 13 days

StockBased_Compensation_Detail3

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'
Options,Outstanding at January 3, 2014	3,299
Options, Granted, shares	576
Options, Exercised, Shares	-564
Options, Forfeited or expired, Shares	-34
Options,Outstanding at July 4, 2014	3,277
Options,Exercisable at July 4, 2014	2,082
Restricted Stock [Member]	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'
Options,Outstanding at January 3, 2014	341
Options, Granted, shares	29
Options, Exercised, Shares	-140
Options, Forfeited or expired, Shares	0
Options,Outstanding at July 4, 2014	230
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'
Options,Outstanding at January 3, 2014	135
Options, Granted, shares	304
Options, Exercised, Shares	-135
Options, Forfeited or expired, Shares	-5
Options,Outstanding at July 4, 2014	299

StockBased_Compensation_Detail4

Stock-Based Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014	Jan. 03, 2014
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	38,361,000	37,911,000
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	7.00%	'
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding	700,000	'
Warrants And Rights Exercisable	'	700,000
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	229,500	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	1,998,046	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'3 years	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'1 year	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	299,000	'
2003 Stock Option Plan [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Beginning Balance	3,276,000	'
Lower Range of Exercise Prices	0.95	'
Upper Range of Exercise Prices	17.62	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'10 years	'

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jul. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$367	$599	$586	$914

Manufacturing_Consolidation_Pr2

Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 04, 2014
Schedule Of Restructuring Reserve By Type Of Cost [Line Items]	'
Liability at January 3, 2014	$759
Costs incurred and charged to expense	334
Cash payments	-743
Liability at April 4, 2014	350
Termination Benefits [Member]	'
Schedule Of Restructuring Reserve By Type Of Cost [Line Items]	'
Liability at January 3, 2014	731
Costs incurred and charged to expense	212
Cash payments	-593
Liability at April 4, 2014	350
Other Associated Costs [Member]	'
Schedule Of Restructuring Reserve By Type Of Cost [Line Items]	'
Liability at January 3, 2014	28
Costs incurred and charged to expense	122
Cash payments	-150
Liability at April 4, 2014	$0

Manufacturing_Consolidation_Pr3

Manufacturing Consolidation Project and Tax Strategy (Details Textual) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2014
Schedule Of Restructuring Reserve By Type Of Cost [Line Items]	'
Estimated Cost Of Project Year Three And Half	$6,300,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	122,000,000
Restructuring Charges, Total	$334,000