Staar Surgical to Cut 115 Jobs in California Amid China Market Slowdown

Staar Surgical will lay off 115 employees across its Monrovia and Aliso Viejo, California, facilities on April 21, citing economic and geopolitical pressures. The majority of affected roles are production operators and technicians, though the company will continue operations with over 550 employees in Southern California.

The layoffs come as demand for Staar’s implantable lenses in China, which accounted for over half of its revenue, has declined sharply. Despite a stimulus program, China’s weak consumer confidence led to a 13% drop in sales to its distributors in 2024. Staar is now adjusting production and expenses to align with lower demand expectations for 2025.