EXHIBIT 10.38
CHANGE IN TERMS AGREEMENT

                              Principal
$1,000,000.00   Loan Date
09-30-2005   Maturity
09-30-2006   Loan No.
519900828192   Call / Coll
4A / 60   Account   Officer
***   Initials

References in the shaded area are for Lender’s use only and do not limit the
applicability of this document to any
particular loan or item. Any item above containing “***” has been omitted due to
text length limitations.

             
Borrower:
  SYNERGETICS, INC. (MISSOURI CORPORATION)   Lender:   Union Planters Bank NA
 
  (TIN: 43-1585312)       Clayton Commercial Lending
 
  3845 CORPORATE CENTRE DRIVE       8182 Maryland Avenue Suite 200
 
  O’FALLON, MO 63368       St. Louis, MO 63105

 

 Principal Amount: $1,000,000.00   Initial Rate: 6.750%   Date of Agreement:
September 30, 2005

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS. A CERTAIN PROMISSORY NOTE (THE “NOTE”)
FROM BORROWER(S) TO LENDER DATED (11/03/03) IN THE ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
$1,000,000.00. AS OF (09/29/05) THE BALANCE OF THE NOTE WAS $703,278.91.
DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL. SECURITY AGREEMENT DATED 9/30/05 AND BUSINESS LOAN
AGREEMENT DATED 09/30/05 AND A SECURITY AGREEMENT DATED 8/16/95.
DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE IN TERMS. RENEW LOAN NO. 519900828192 AND EXTEND MATURITY
DATE TO 09/30/06.
PROMISE TO PAY. SYNERGETICS, INC. (MISSOURI CORPORATION) (“Borrower”) promises
to pay to Union Planters Bank NA (“Lender”), or order, in lawful money of the
United States of America, the principal amount of One Million & 00/100 Dollars
($1,000.000.00) or so much as may be outstanding, together with interest on the
unpaid outstanding principal balance of each advance. Interest shall be
calculated from the date of each advance until repayment of each advance.
PAYMENT. Borrower will pay this loan in one payment of all outstanding principal
plus all accrued unpaid interest on September 30, 2006. In addition, Borrower
will pay regular monthly payments of all accrued unpaid interest due as of each
payment date, beginning October 30, 2005, with all subsequent interest payments
to be due on the same day of each month after that. Unless otherwise agreed or
required by applicable law, payments will be applied first to any accrued unpaid
interest; then to principal; then to any unpaid collection costs; and then to
any late charges. Interest on this Agreement is computed on a 365/360 simple
interest basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the annual interest rate over
a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied
by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. Borrower will
pay Lender at Lender’s address shown above or at such other place as Lender may
designate in writing.
VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. The interest rate on this Agreement is subject to change
from time to time based on changes in an independent index which is the highest
base rate on corporate loans at large U.S. Money Center Commercial Banks that
The Wall Street Journal publishes as the prime rate (the “Index”). The Index is
not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lender on its loans. If the Index
becomes unavailable during the term of this loan, Lender may designate a
substitute index after notice to Borrower. Lender will tell Borrower the current
Index rate upon Borrower’s request. The interest rate change will not occur more
often than each day. Borrower understands that Lender may make loans based on
other rates as well. The Index currently is 6.750% per annum. The interest rate
to be applied to the unpaid principal balance of the Note will be at a rate
equal to the Index, resulting in an initial rate of 6.750% per annum. NOTICE:
Under no circumstances will the interest rate on the Note be more than the
maximum rate allowed by applicable law.
PREPAYMENT. Borrower may pay without penalty all or a portion of the amount owed
earlier than it is due. Early payments will not, unless agreed to by Lender in
writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower’s obligation to continue to make payments
of accrued unpaid interest. Rather, early payments will reduce the principal
balance due. Borrower agrees not to send Lender payments marked “paid in full”,
“without recourse”, or similar language. If Borrower sends such a payment,
Lender may accept it without losing any of Lender’s rights under this Agreement,
and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further amount owed to Lender. All
written communications concerning disputed amounts, including any check or other
payment instrument that indicates that the payment constitutes “payment in

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full” of the amount owed or that is tendered with other conditions or
limitations or as full satisfaction of a disputed amount must be mailed or
delivered to: Union Planters Corporation, Attn: Payment Disputes, P.O. Box 131
Memphis, TN 38103.
LATE CHARGE. If a payment is more than 11 days late, Borrower will be charged
6.000% of the unpaid portion of the regularly scheduled payment.
INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. Upon default, including failure to pay upon final
maturity, Lender, at its option, may, if permitted under applicable law,
increase the variable interest rate on this Agreement to 3.000 percentage points
over the Index. The interest rate will not exceed the maximum rate permitted by
applicable law.
DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this
Agreement:
Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under the
Indebtedness.
Other Defaults. Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any other term,
obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any of the
Related Documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant
or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Borrower.
False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to
Lender by Borrower or on Borrowers behalf under this Agreement or the Related
Documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the
time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.
Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower’s existence as a going
business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part
of Borrower’s property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of
creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or
insolvency laws by or against Borrower.
Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture
proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any
other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against
any collateral securing the Indebtedness. This includes a garnishment of any of
Borrower’s accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this
Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Borrower as
to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the
creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Borrower gives Lender written notice of
the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a
surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined
by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the
dispute.
Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to
any Guarantor of any of the Indebtedness or any Guarantor dies or becomes
incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any
Guaranty of the Indebtedness evidenced by this Note. In the event of a death,
Lender, at its option, may, but shall not be required to, permit the Guarantor’s
estate to assume unconditionally the obligations arising under the guaranty in a
manner satisfactory to Lender, and, in doing so, cure any Event of Default.
Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or
more of the common stock of Borrower.
Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower’s financial
condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of the
Indebtedness is impaired.
Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.
Cure Provisions. If any default, other than a default in payment is curable and
if Borrower has not been given a notice of a breach of the same provision of
this Agreement within the preceding twelve (12) months, it may be cured if
Borrower, after receiving written notice from Lender demanding cure of such
default: (1) cures the default within fifteen (15) days; or (2) if the cure
requires more than fifteen (15) days, immediately initiates steps which Lender
deems in Lender’s sole discretion to be sufficient to cure the default and
thereafter continues and completes all reasonable and necessary steps sufficient
to produce compliance as soon as reasonably practical.

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LENDERS RIGHTS. Upon default, Lender may declare the entire unpaid principal
balance on this Agreement and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due, and
then Borrower will pay that amount.
COLLATERAL. Borrower acknowledges this Agreement is secured by SECURITY
AGREEMENT DATED 9/30/05 AND BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT DATED 09/30/05 AND A
SECURITY AGREEMENT DATED 8/16/95.
ATTORNEYS’ FEES; EXPENSES. Lender may hire or pay someone else to help collect
this Agreement if Borrower does not pay. Borrower will pay Lender that amount.
This includes, subject to any limits under applicable law, Lender’s attorneys’
fees and Lender’s legal expenses whether or not there is a lawsuit, including
attorneys’ fees and expenses for bankruptcy proceedings (including efforts to
modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), and appeals. If not
prohibited by applicable law, Borrower also will pay any court costs, in
addition to all other sums provided by law.
JURY WAIVER. Lender and Borrower hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any
action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either Lender or Borrower against
the other.
GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement will be governed by federal law applicable to
Lender and, to the extent not preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of
Missouri without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. This Agreement has
been accepted by Lender in the State of Missouri.
CHOICE OF VENUE. If there is a lawsuit, Borrower agrees upon Lender’s request to
submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of St. Louis County, State of Missouri.
DISHONORED ITEM FEE. Borrower will pay a fee to Lender of $15.00 if Borrower
makes a payment on Borrower’s loan and the check or preauthorized charge with
which Borrower pays is later dishonored.
RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a
right of setoff in all Borrower’s accounts with Lender (whether checking,
savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds
jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future.
However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts
for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the
indebtedness against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender’s option, to
administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender’s
charge and setoff rights provided in this paragraph.
LINE OF CREDIT. This Agreement evidences a straight line of credit. Once the
total amount of principal has been advanced, Borrower is not entitled to further
loan advances. Advances under this Agreement may be requested either orally or
in writing by Borrower or as provided in this paragraph. Lender may, but need
not, require that all oral requests be confirmed in writing. All communications,
instructions, or directions by telephone or otherwise to Lender are to be
directed to Lender’s office shown above. The following person currently is
authorized to request advances and authorize payments under the line of credit
until Lender receives from Borrower, at Lender’s address shown above, written
notice of revocation of his or her authority: GREGG D. SCHELLER, President of
SYNERGETICS, INC. (MISSOURI CORPORATION). Borrower agrees to be liable for all
sums either: (A) advanced in accordance with the instructions of an authorized
person or (B) credited to any of Borrower’s accounts with Lender. The unpaid
principal balance owing on this Agreement at any time may be evidenced by
endorsements on this Agreement or by Lender’s internal records, including daily
computer print-outs. Lender will have no obligation to advance funds under this
Agreement if: (A) Borrower or any guarantor is in default under the terms of
this Agreement or any agreement that Borrower or any guarantor has with Lender,
including any agreement made in connection with the signing of this Agreement;
(B) Borrower or any guarantor ceases doing business or is insolvent; (C) any
guarantor seeks, claims or otherwise attempts to limit, modify or revoke such
guarantor’s guarantee of this Agreement or any other loan with Lender;
(D) Borrower has applied funds provided pursuant to this Agreement for purposes
other than those authorized by Lender; or (E) Lender in good faith believes
itself insecure.
ARBITRATION. Borrower and Lender agree that all disputes, claims and
controversies between them whether individual, joint, or class in nature,
arising from this Agreement or otherwise, including without limitation contract
and tort disputes, shall be arbitrated pursuant to the Rules of the American
Arbitration Association in effect at the time the claim is filed, upon request
of either party. No act to take or dispose of any Collateral shall constitute a
waiver of this arbitration agreement or be prohibited by this arbitration
agreement. This includes, without limitation, obtaining injunctive relief or a
temporary restraining order; invoking a power of sale under any deed of trust or
mortgage; obtaining a writ of attachment or imposition of a receiver; or
exercising any rights relating to personal property, including taking or
disposing of such property with or without judicial process pursuant to
Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Any

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disputes, claims, or controversies concerning the lawfulness or reasonableness
of any act, or exercise of any right, concerning any Collateral, including any
claim to rescind, reform, or otherwise modify any agreement relating to the
Collateral, shall also be arbitrated, provided however that no arbitrator shall
have the right or the power to enjoin or restrain any act of any party. Judgment
upon any award rendered by any arbitrator may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude any party from seeking
equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction. The statute of
limitations, estoppel, waiver, laches, and similar doctrines which would
otherwise be applicable in an action brought by a party shall be applicable in
any arbitration proceeding, and the commencement of an arbitration proceeding
shall be deemed the commencement of an action for these purposes. The Federal
Arbitration Act shall apply to the construction, interpretation, and enforcement
of this arbitration provision.
CONTINUING VALIDITY. Except as expressly changed by this Agreement, the terms of
the original obligation or obligations, including all agreements evidenced or
securing the obligation(s), remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
Consent by Lender to this Agreement does not waive Lender’s right to strict
performance of the obligation(s) as changed, nor obligate Lender to make any
future change in terms. Nothing in this Agreement will constitute a satisfaction
of the obligation(s). It is the intention of Lender to retain as liable parties
all makers and endorsers of the original obligation(s), including accommodation
parties, unless a party is expressly released by Lender in writing. Any maker or
endorser, including accommodation makers, will not be released by virtue of this
Agreement. If any person who signed the original obligation does not sign this
Agreement below, then all persons signing below acknowledge that this Agreement
is given conditionally, based on the representation to Lender that the
non-signing party consents to the changes and provisions of this Agreement or
otherwise will not be released by it. This waiver applies not only to any
initial extension, modification or release, but also to all such subsequent
actions.
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Subject to any limitations stated in this Agreement on
transfer of Borrower’s interest, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties, their successors and assigns. If ownership of the
Collateral becomes vested in a person other than Borrower, Lender, without
notice to Borrower, may deal with Borrower’s successors with reference to this
Agreement and the Indebtedness by way of forbearance or extension without
releasing Borrower from the obligations of this Agreement or liability under the
Indebtedness.
NOTIFY US OF INACCURATE INFORMATION WE REPORT TO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCIES.
Please notify us if we report any inaccurate information about your account(s)
to a consumer reporting agency. Your written notice describing the specific
inaccuracy(ies) should be sent to us at the following address: Union Planters
Corporation Attn: Credit Dispute Dept. P.O. Box 221 Memphis, TN 38101.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. Lender may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights
or remedies under this Agreement without losing them. Borrower and any other
person who signs, guarantees or endorses this Agreement, to the extent allowed
by law, waive presentment, demand for payment, and notice of dishonor. Upon any
change in the terms of this Agreement, and unless otherwise expressly stated in
writing, no party who signs this Agreement, whether as maker, guarantor,
accommodation maker or endorser, shall be released from liability. All such
parties agree that Lender may renew or extend (repeatedly and for any length of
time) this loan or release any party or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail
to realize upon or perfect Lender’s security interest in the collateral; and
take any other action deemed necessary by Lender without the consent of or
notice to anyone. All such parties also agree that Lender may modify this loan
without the consent of or notice to anyone other than the party with whom the
modification is made. The obligations under this Agreement are joint and
several.
ORAL AGREEMENTS OR COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FOREBEAR FROM
ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT INCLUDING PROMISES TO EXTEND OR RENEW SUCH DEBT
ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE, REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY UPON WHICH IT IS BASED THAT
IS IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. TO PROTECT YOU (BORROWER(S)) AND
US (LENDER) FROM MISUNDERSTANDING OR DISAPPOINTMENT, ANY AGREEMENTS WE REACH
COVERING SUCH MATTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS WRITING, WHICH IS THE COMPLETE AND
EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN US, EXCEPT AS WE MAY LATER AGREE IN
WRITING TO MODIFY IT.
JURY WAIVER. Lender and Borrower hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any
action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either Lender or Borrower against
the other.
PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE VARIABLE INTEREST RATE PROVISIONS. BORROWER
AGREES TO THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.

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THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED BY
THE PARTIES.
BORROWER:

        SYNERGETICS, INC. (MISSOURI CORPORATION)
    By:   /s/ Gregg D. Scheller     GREGG D. SCHELLER, President of
SYNERGETICS,    INC. (MISSOURI CORPORATION)     

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