---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-013622"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "STAA"
cik: "0000718937"
company_name: "STAAR SURGICAL CO"
filed_at: "2026-01-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T10:15:44.747304+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# STAAR Surgical CEO Farrell to step down Jan 31; Broadwood appoints three new directors

## Summary
- CEO Stephen Farrell to step down as CEO by Jan 31, 2026; will remain as consultant for 1 year at $45k/month.
- Board expands from 6 to 7; Neal Bradsher and Richard LeBuhn (Broadwood, 31% owner) and Christopher Wang (Yunqi Capital, 6.5%) appointed.
- Elizabeth Yeu resigns as Board Chair and director; Board seeks new Chair and CEO.
- NASDAQ audit committee noncompliance due to Yeu resignation; Company using cure period.
- Cooperation agreement includes standstill until June 18, 2026; mutual non-disparagement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-013622
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: STAA
- cik: 0000718937
- company_name: STAAR SURGICAL CO
- filed_at: 2026-01-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 3.01, 5.02, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000119312526013622/0001193125-26-013622-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000119312526013622/d831960d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-013622
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-013622.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-013622.txt

## Key facts
- Listing & Compliance Notices
  STAAR SURGICAL CO received a nasdaq deficiency notice notice regarding audit committee (rules 5605(c)(4)(B)).
  - Exchange: nasdaq
  - Notice: deficiency notice
  - Deficiency: audit committee
  - Rules: 5605(c)(4)(B)
  source text: January 14, 2026, Elizabeth Yeu, MD resigned from the Board. Among other things, NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605 requires listed issuers such as the Company to maintain an audit committee consisting of no fewer than three independent directors. Dr. Yeu had been one of three independent directors on the Company’s Audit Committee at the time of her resignation, and therefore the Company does not presently comply with such requirement. In accordance with the Listing Rules, the Company notified NASDAQ on January 14, 2026 of such noncompliance and the Company’s intention to use the cure period provided un
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718937/000119312526013622/0001193125-26-013622-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.