Company: STAA
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000950170-25-058174
Chunk: 40

Company: STAAR SURGICAL CO
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 40
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 of long-term equity incentive awards for each NEO in the first quarter of each year, determined as a percentage of the NEO’s base salary. The Committee also considers and approves the structure of our long-term equity compensation program, including the types of awards to be granted, the mix of awards, as well as award terms. For 2024, the Committee approved an equity award program for our executives comprised of stock options, RSUs and PSUs. The Committee used the Black-Scholes value for stock options and the grant date market value of RSUs and PSUs on the date of grant.

Stock Options.The exercise price of a stock option is the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on the date of grant. Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (“Plan”), STAAR may not grant stock options with an exercise price below the fair market value of its common stock on the date of grant. STAAR does not grant stock options with a so-called “reload” feature. Stock options typically vest over a three-year period, with one-third of the shares subject to the award vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and the remaining two-thirds vesting monthly over the next 24 months. Stock options have a ten-year life.

Restricted Stock Units.RSUs represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock in the future. RSUs are time-based awards that vest subject to continued service with the Company. RSUs typically vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third of the shares subject to the award vesting annually commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Performance Stock Units.PSUs represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock in the future, which vest subject to the achievement of pre-established performance criteria. PSUs are granted based on a target number of shares and can pay out below or above target based on the level of achievement. PSUs will only vest if the Company meets or exceeds the metrics established for the performance criteria for such awards. If the performance criteria is achieved, PSUs typically vest ratably over a three-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant, subject to continued service with the Company.

| 2025 Proxy Statement | – 30 – |

#### –Compensation Discussion and Analysis–
2024 Annual Equity Awards. In 2024, the Committee approved an annual grant of long-term equity incentive awards to our