EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                                    ------------



                 STAAR Surgical Renews Revolving Line of Credit



MONROVIA,  Calif.,  March 28 -- STAAR  Surgical  Company  (Nasdaq:  STAA)  today
announced  that it has extended the  maturity  date of the $3 million  revolving
line of credit it currently  has with Wells Fargo Bank.  The credit line will be
used for general working capital purposes.  This one-year agreement replaces the
existing agreement that will mature on March 31, 2003.

"This new line of  credit  will  help  support  our  growth  strategies.  We are
pursuing new approvals for our high-margin  Implantable Contact Lenses and Toric
Implantable  Contact  Lenses.  Once we receive those  approvals,  we'll initiate
aggressive  marketing  programs to communicate the superior  patient benefits of
both products. In addition we continue to focus on regaining market share in our
core  intraocular  lens  business," said David Bailey,  president of STAAR.  "We
continue to make solid progress in achieving our strategies and remain committed
to reaching profitability during the second half of 2003."

For additional information about STAAR Surgical,  visit the Company's website at
http://www.STAAR.com .

All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical  fact
are forward-looking statements,  including any projections of earnings, revenue,
or  other  financial  items,  any  statements  of  the  plans,  strategies,  and
objectives  of  management  for future  operations,  any  statements  concerning
proposed new products, services or developments, any statements regarding future
economic  conditions or performance,  statements of belief and any statements of
assumptions  underlying  any of the  foregoing.  These  statements  are based on
expectations  and  assumptions  as of the  date of this  press  release  and are
subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in the  forward-looking  statements.  The
risks and uncertainties  include the need to obtain regulatory  approval for new
products, acceptance of new products by medical practitioners and consumers, the
rapid pace of technological change in the ophthalmic industry,  general domestic
and international  economic conditions,  and other factors beyond the control of
STAAR  Surgical  Company,  including  those  detailed from time to time in STAAR
Surgical  Company's  reports filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission.
STAAR Surgical Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these
forward-looking statements.