Exhibit 99.1
                                                                    ------------

            STAAR Surgical Signs Definitive Agreement to Sell 2.0
                         Million Shares of Common Stock

MONROVIA, Calif., June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STAAR Surgical Company
(Nasdaq: STAA) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement
to sell 2.0 million shares of newly issued common stock at a purchase price of
$6.25 per share to certain institutional investors. The transaction is expected
to close on June 10, 2004, subject to customary closing conditions. Pacific
Growth Equities, LLC acted as the placement agent for the financing.

The securities sold have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or applicable exemption from registration. STAAR Surgical has
agreed to file, no later than 15 business days after the closing, a registration
statement providing for the resale of the common stock.

This release is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy
securities, nor shall there be any sale of the company's securities in any state
in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to their
registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

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 VISIAN ICL(TM)
as well as innovative products designed to improve patient outcomes for
cataracts and glaucoma. STAAR's ICL has received CE Marking, is approved for
sale in 37 countries and has been implanted in more than 35,000 eyes worldwide.

Safe Harbor

All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact
are forward-looking statements, including the statement that the offering is
expected to close within two business days. 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 ability of the Company and the investors to
comply with certain conditions to closing as set forth in the definitive
agreements. STAAR Surgical Company assumes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements, and does not intend to do so.

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

SOURCE STAAR Surgical Company