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IRIDEX

irix · NASDAQ Healthcare
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Ticker irix
Exchange NASDAQ
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Industry Medical - Devices
Employees 51-200
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FY2017 Annual Report · IRIDEX
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2017 Annual Report to Stockholders 

2017 Annual Report Consolidated Financial Statements 

 
 
UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

(Mark One)

(cid:3) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITY EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 

or 

(cid:4) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITY EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission File Number 0-27598 

IRIDEX CORPORATION 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

77-0210467
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1212 Terra Bella Avenue
Mountain View, CA
(Address of principal executive offices)

(650) 940-4700 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area 
code)

94043
(Zip Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of Each Class
Common

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.    Yes  (cid:4)    No  (cid:3) 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 

“Exchange Act”).    Yes  (cid:4)    No  (cid:3) 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 

months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 
days.    Yes  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4) 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to 

be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the 
registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4) 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and 

will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or 
any amendment to this Form 10-K.  (cid:3) 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an 

emerging growth company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 
12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

  (cid:4)   

  (cid:4)   

Emerging growth company (cid:4)

Accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

  (cid:3)

  (cid:4)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any 

new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.      (cid:4)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  (cid:4)    No   (cid:3) 

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $59,582,384 as of July 1, 2017 the last 

business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the closing price reported for such date on the NASDAQ Global Market. The 
registrant did not have any non-voting common equity outstanding. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held by each executive officer and director 
and by each holder of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock have been excluded from this calculation, because such persons may be deemed to be 
affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes. 

As of March 1, 2018, Registrant had 11,627,515 shares of common stock outstanding. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Certain parts of the Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part 

III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this document, we refer to Iridex Corporation and its subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires) as “we,” the 
“Company” or “Iridex.” With the exception of historical information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, content 
herein may contain “forward looking statements” that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject 
to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We cannot guarantee that any forward looking statements will be accurate, 
although we believe that we have been reasonable in our expectations and assumptions. Investors should realize that if 
underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially 
from our expectations and projections. These factors include general economic conditions, delays and risks associated with 
the performance of contracts, risks associated with international sales and currency fluctuations, uncertainties as a result of 
research and development, acceptable results from clinical studies, including publication of results and patient/procedure data 
with varying levels of statistical relevance, risks involved in introducing and marketing new products, regulatory compliance, 
potential acquisitions, consumer and industry acceptance, litigation and/or contemplated 510(k) filings, the ability to achieve 
and maintain profitability in our business lines, and other factors discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent 
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-
looking statements.

2

Table of Contents 

   Page No.

Part I

Item 1. Business .......................................................................................................................................................  
Item 1A. Risk Factors...............................................................................................................................................  
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments .....................................................................................................................  
Item 2. Properties .....................................................................................................................................................  
Item 3. Legal Proceedings ........................................................................................................................................  
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures ..............................................................................................................................  

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of 

Equity Securities..................................................................................................................................................  
Item 6. Selected Financial Data................................................................................................................................  
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations......................  
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk..................................................................  
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data............................................................................................  
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure......................  
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures ...........................................................................................................................  
Item 9B. Other Information......................................................................................................................................  

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.........................................................................  
Item 11. Executive Compensation............................................................................................................................  
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters..  
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ..........................................  
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services ....................................................................................................  

4
14
28
28
28
29

30
32
32
41
41
69
69
71

72
72
72
72
72

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules  ............................................................................................  

73

Signatures...........................................................................................................................................................................  

76

3

 
 
  
  
  
  
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

PART I 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of 

the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These 
statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. 
These statements include statements concerning future demand and order levels for the Company's products, future operating 
expenses, changes in personnel, product development and intellectual property related matters, the adoption and effect of 
Company products on its results, the markets in which the Company operates, usage and efficacy of the Company's products, 
the Company’s future financial results, and the Company's strategic plans and objectives.  In some cases, forward-looking 
statements can be identified by terminology, such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” 
“believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “intends,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other comparable 
terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. 

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual 

results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking 
statements. The reader is strongly urged to read the information contained under the captions “Item 1A. Risk Factors - 
Factors That May Affect Future Results” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more detailed description of these 
significant risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, 
which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to 
update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report. 

As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “Company,” “IRIDEX,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to 

IRIDEX Corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Item 1. Business 

Overview 

IRIDEX Corporation is an ophthalmic medical technology company focused on the development and 

commercialization of breakthrough products and procedures used to treat sight-threatening eye conditions, including 
glaucoma and retinal diseases. Certain of our laser products are powered by our proprietary MicroPulse technology, which is 
a method of delivering laser energy using a mode which chops the continuous wave laser beam into short, microsecond-long 
laser pulses. Our products consist of laser consoles, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation, including laser probes. 

Our laser consoles consist of the following product lines:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Glaucoma – This product line includes our Cyclo G6 laser system used for the treatment of glaucoma;

Medical Retina – Our medical retina product line includes our IQ 532 and IQ 577 laser photocoagulation 
systems, which are used for the treatment of diabetic macular edema and other retinal diseases; and

Surgical Retina – Our surgical retina line of products includes our OcuLight TX, OcuLight SL, OcuLight SLx, 
OcuLight GL and OcuLight GLx laser photocoagulation systems. These systems are often used in vitrectomy 
procedures, which are used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, retinal tears and 
detachments.

Our business generates recurring revenues through sales of consumable products, predominantly single-use laser probe 
devices and other instrumentation, as well as repair, servicing and extended service contracts for our laser systems. Our laser 
probes consist of the following product lines:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Glaucoma – Probes used in our glaucoma product line include our patented MicroPulse P3 (“MP3”) probe and 
G-Probe; and

Surgical Retina – Our surgical retina probes include our EndoProbe family of products used in vitrectomy 
procedures.

Ophthalmologists typically use our laser systems in hospital operating rooms (“ORs”) and ambulatory surgical centers 

(“ASCs”), as well as their offices and clinics. In the ORs and ASCs, ophthalmologists use our laser systems with either an 
indirect laser ophthalmoscope or a consumable, single use MP3 probe, G-Probe or EndoProbe. 

Our products are sold in the United States predominantly through a direct sales force and internationally primarily 

through independent distributors.  Total revenues in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $41.6 million, $46.2 million and $41.8 
million, respectively. We generated net (loss) income of $(12.9) million, $(11.7) million and $0.5 million in 2017, 2016 and 
2015, respectively. 

4

IRIDEX Corporation was incorporated in California in February 1989 as IRIS Medical Instruments, Inc.  In January 
1996, we changed our name to IRIDEX Corporation and reincorporated in Delaware.  Our executive offices are located at 
1212 Terra Bella Avenue, Mountain View, California 94043-1824, and our telephone number is (650) 940-4700. We can also 
be reached at our website at www.IRIDEX.com, however, the information on, or that can be accessed through, our website is 
not part of this report. 

Our Market Opportunity

Ophthalmology is a large and growing global market that is driven by the aging world population and the onset of 

chronic diseases.  We currently target the glaucoma and retina disease markets. 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world. Glaucoma is a progressive, chronic disease and vision loss 
resulting from glaucoma currently cannot be regained. According to Market Scope, more than 80 million people worldwide 
have glaucoma, while only 24.7 million people have been diagnosed.  Glaucoma is most commonly associated with elevated 
levels of pressure within the eye, or intraocular pressure (“IOP”).  Elevated IOP often occurs when aqueous humor, the thin 
watery fluid that fills the front of the eye, is not circulating normally and draining properly.  Currently, reducing IOP is the 
only proven treatment for glaucoma with treatments primarily focused on improving the flow of aqueous humor through the 
eye’s trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral outflow pathways.  Market Scope estimates 2015 global sales of $5.0 billion for 
products used to treat glaucoma.  

Pharmaceutical products represent $4.7 billion of this estimate but have significant shortcomings.  Pharmaceuticals are 

typically the first treatment method prescribed for glaucoma. These pharmaceutical treatments are commonly self-
administered in drop form by the patients. Patients often have difficulties applying the pharmaceutical drops properly and 
may fail to appropriately or timely apply the medication, which may significantly reduce the effectiveness of the 
pharmaceutical. This poor adherence to and lack of persistence with glaucoma medication regimens have been documented in 
numerous independent studies, which often place the incidence of patient noncompliance up to or above 50%, particularly in 
patients on two or more prescription eye drops.  Even when administered correctly, pharmaceuticals have demonstrated 
reduced efficacy over time. 

When pharmaceuticals lose their effectiveness, appropriate treatment options are determined based on the progression 

and severity of the disease and include traditional laser therapy (e.g. selective laser trabeculoplasty (“SLT”), minimally 
invasive stents/shunts (e.g. MIGS), and open surgery (e.g. trabeculectomy)). These treatment alternatives also have 
significant shortcomings due to treatment effects that dissipate over time, repeat procedures that are less effective or not 
clinically advised, limited indications of use, and significant complication risks. 

We believe that because of the limitations of these traditional treatment alternatives, a clear unmet medical need exists 

in the management of glaucoma patients. 

Medical Retina

Market Scope estimates 2015 global sales of $9.0 billion for products used to treat retina diseases. Our medical retina 

business focuses on the treatment of diabetic macular edema (“DME”) which is part of a broader disease state called diabetic 
retinopathy.  Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes which impairs vision over time and, if left untreated, 
can lead to blindness. It is projected by 2030 that there will be 430 million diabetic patients globally.  Previous clinical 
publications indicated 28.5% of diabetic patients can develop some form of diabetic retinopathy. Traditional laser 
photocoagulation and a regimen of injected pharmaceuticals are currently the standard treatment for this disease and are 
associated with significant shortcomings.  Traditional laser photocoagulation can stabilize the patient’s vision over the long 
term but presents a risk of varying degrees of vision loss to the patient.  Pharmaceuticals can stabilize vision in the near term 
but require repeated injections.  The injections are painful and the patients may experience side effects including increased 
risk of eye infections.  Furthermore, a regimen of repeated pharmaceutical injections is very costly to the physician and 
patient, in terms of time, and to the healthcare system, in terms of dollars spent on treatment.

The shortcomings in treating retinal diseases have led to a renewed interest in alternative approaches that may provide 

better or comparable patient outcomes at lower costs. 

Our Solution 

Our traditional laser technology was developed to perform laser photocoagulation by using a mode which delivers 
continuously-on laser light, which is referred to as continuous wave (“CW”) mode.  Laser photocoagulation generates a local 
healing response and has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective therapy with long-term benefits for certain ophthalmic 
procedures.  However, use of the CW mode typically leads to local tissue damage and can cause loss of visual function, 
which limits the applications of the technology. 

5

We developed our proprietary MicroPulse technology with the goal of harnessing the clinical benefits of CW mode 
while minimizing the associated tissue damage.  MicroPulse is a method of delivering laser energy using a mode which chops 
the CW beam into short, microsecond long, laser pulses. The laser pulses are intended to generate the desired therapeutic 
response while the time in between laser pulses is believed to enable the tissue to cool and thereby minimize tissue damage.  
This is analogous to holding one’s hand continuously over a candle versus waving it back and forth.  When held 
continuously, the candle would cause burning and scar tissue.  However, when exposed intermittently the candle only heats 
the tissue without burning.  

There is a growing body of clinical evidence that has been published over the past 10 years that demonstrates that 
MicroPulse therapy is clinically effective with limited tissue damage for the treatment of glaucoma and retinal diseases.  
Currently, we have developed three applications of our MicroPulse technology for the treatment of eye diseases:

MicroPulse Applications

Description

Glaucoma – uveoscleral outflow

Glaucoma - trabecular meshwork 
outflow 

Medical Retina - DME

Treats glaucoma with our recently introduced Cyclo G6 laser system.  
MicroPulse laser is delivered through a proprietary single-use disposable 
probe we call the MicroPulse P3 (MP3) probe.  By targeting an anatomical 
area of the eye called “Pars Plana” it is believed that the MP3 procedure may 
improve uveoscleral outflow and thus lower IOP and may reduce the number 
of eye drop medications.  The MP3 procedure has the potential to be used 
across a wide spectrum of glaucoma disease severity, given its believed 
therapeutics benefits and non-incisional approach with minimal tissue 
damage and complications. We believe that the MP3 procedure has several 
important competitive advantages over alternative therapies with respect to 
invasiveness, sustained IOP reduction and does not inhibit the physicians 
from the use of alternative procedures.

Treats glaucoma with our IQ laser systems.  MicroPulse laser is delivered 
through a mechanical and optical delivery device and targets the trabecular 
meshwork.  Physicians describe the technique as MicroPulse Laser 
Trabeculoplasty (“MLT”).  It is believed that the MLT procedure improves 
trabecular meshwork outflow and thus lowers IOP.  We believe that the 
MLT procedure provides incremental clinical benefits relative to other laser 
trabeculoplasty procedures such as SLT.

Treats DME with our IQ laser systems.  MicroPulse laser is administered 
through a mechanical and optical delivery device that rapidly delivers 
multiple treatment spots on the retina.  Our MicroPulse laser is uniquely 
believed to be “fovea friendly” in that the laser can be used to treat the 
fovea, the center of the field of vision in the retina, without any loss of visual 
function.  Instead of causing thermal damage like traditional lasers, 
MicroPulse is believed to induce a therapeutic response through the 
recruitment of biological factors such as heat shock proteins. We believe that 
the treatment of DME with MicroPulse has several competitive advantages 
over alternate therapies with respect to long term vision stability, visual 
function, and cost effectiveness.

6

Our Strategy 

We are one of the worldwide leaders in developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and servicing innovative 
medical laser systems and associated instrumentation for the treatment of sight-threatening eye diseases.  Our strategy is to 
leverage our existing brand and distribution channel in the ophthalmology market to promote the adoption of MicroPulse as a 
viable treatment alternative for glaucoma and retinal diseases and consequently to commercialize a broad array of products 
that: 

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Improve therapeutic outcomes for patients suffering from sight-threatening eye diseases; 

Improve the efficiency of physicians and reduce their costs; and 

Provide economic benefits to healthcare systems. 

To achieve these goals we are pursuing a number of organic initiatives which we anticipate will be supplemented from 

time to time by acquisitions. We anticipate that the successful execution of this strategy will lead to profitable growth and 
enhanced shareholder value. 

Our Products

We utilize a systems approach to product design. Each system includes a laser console, which generates the laser 
energy, and a number of interchangeable delivery devices or disposable probes for use in specific clinical applications. This 
approach allows our customers to purchase a basic laser system and add additional delivery devices or disposable probes as 
their needs expand or as new applications develop. We believe that this systems approach is our distinguishing characteristic 
and also brings economies-of-scale to our product development and manufacturing efforts because individual applications do 
not require the design and manufacture of complete stand-alone products. We offer three basic product categories: 1) laser 
consoles, 2) delivery devices which are optical-mechanical products that mount to ophthalmologists diagnostic equipment 
and transmit the laser and 3) single-use disposable probes that transmit the laser light to a targeted region within the inside of 
an eye.

Laser Consoles 

Our laser consoles, which are identified below, incorporate the economic and technical benefits of solid state and 

semiconductor laser technology. 

Glaucoma: Cyclo G6  Laser System. The newest addition to our console portfolio, the Cyclo G6 is an infrared (810nm) 
laser designed to treat patients diagnosed with a range of glaucoma disease states. The product received U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration (“FDA”) approval in January 2015, and commenced commercial sales in March 2015. The Cyclo G6 system 
is sold with a family of probes that are disposable, including our patented MP3 probe that utilizes our MicroPulse technology 
and our G-Probe.

Medical retina: IQ laser systems. Our IQ laser systems offer our MicroPulse technology but also have CW capabilities.  

Our IQ 577 delivers visible yellow (577nm) laser light and our IQ 532 delivers visible green (532nm) laser light.  Our IQ 
laser systems are typically used with our TxCell Scanning Laser Delivery System and our Slit Lamp Adapters when used to 
treat DME with MicroPulse.  

Surgical retina: OcuLight laser systems. Our OcuLight TX, OcuLight GL, and OcuLightGLx lasers deliver visible 

green (532nm) laser light. Our OcuLight SL and OcuLightSLx lasers deliver infrared (810 nm) laser light.  

Delivery Devices

The following delivery devices are typically used with our IQ and OcuLight laser systems:

TxCell Scanning Laser Delivery System (“TxCell”). TxCell allows the physician to perform multi-spot pattern 
scanning for efficient delivery of our MicroPulse laser.  The TxCell has been an important contributor to the adoption of our 
IQ laser systems for the treatment of DME. 

Slit Lamp Adapter (“SLA”). These adapters allow the physician to utilize a standard slit lamp in both diagnosis and 

treatment procedures. Physicians can install an SLA in a few minutes and convert standard diagnostic slit lamps into a 
therapeutic laser delivery system. SLAs are used in treatment procedures for both retinal diseases and glaucoma. 

Laser Indirect Ophthalmoscope (“LIO”). The indirect ophthalmoscope is designed to be worn on the physician’s head 

and to be used in procedures to treat peripheral retinal disorders, particularly in infants or adults requiring treatment in the 
supine position. This product can be used in both diagnosis and treatment procedures at the point-of-care. 

7

Single-use disposable probes

MicroPulse P3 Probe. The MP3 Probe is used with our Cylco G6 laser systems and is our probe that delivers our 

MicroPulse laser to treat glaucoma.  It is believed that the MP3 procedure reduces IOP by improving uveoscleral outflow.  
The MP3 Probe can be performed on an anesthetized eye in the doctor’s office or OR. The non-invasive procedure takes just 
a few minutes and results in minimal discomfort and post-operative recovery for the patient. We believe that the MP3 
procedure may be used to treat a wide variety of glaucoma states, including early to late stage glaucoma as well as open-
angle and closed angle glaucoma. The MP3 Probe is a sterile disposable product. 

G-Probe. The G-Probe is used in procedures to treat uncontrolled glaucoma, typically described as “refractory 

glaucoma”.  The G-Probe delivers CW laser to the ciliary body and is believed to stop the production of aqueous humor, thus 
reducing IOP.  The G-Probe’s non-invasive procedure takes approximately ten minutes and is performed on an anesthetized 
eye in the doctor’s office or OR.  The G-Probe is a sterile disposable product.  

G-Probe Illuminate. The G-Probe Illuminate is also used in procedures to treat refractory glaucoma. The proprietary 

illumination feature allows for more targeted treatment and may offer additional clinical benefits.  The G-Probe Illuminate is 
a sterile disposable product.

EndoProbe. Our EndoProbe family of products are used for endophotocoagulation, a retinal treatment procedure 
performed in the hospital OR or surgery center during a vitrectomy procedure.  Vitrectomy procedures are performed to treat 
proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, retinal tears and detachments. These disposable probes are available in 
tapered, angled, stepped, aspirating, illuminating, and adjustable styles, as well as a wide variety of sizes. The EndoProbe is a 
sterile disposable product.

Research and Development

We have close working relationships with researchers, clinicians and practicing physicians around the world who 
provide new ideas, test the feasibility of these new ideas and assist us in validating new products and new applications before 
they are introduced. 

Our internal research and development (“R&D”) activities are performed by a current team of 13 engineers, scientists 
and regulatory professionals with experience in various aspects of medical products, laser systems, delivery devices, clinical 
techniques, and regulatory affairs with a focus on introducing innovative products which satisfy the unmet and emerging 
needs of our customers. The core competencies of the team include: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, optics, 
lasers, fiber optics, software, firmware and delivery devices. The R&D process integrates all of the necessary disciplines of 
the Company from product inception through customer acceptance. This process facilitates reliable new product innovations 
and a consistent pipeline of innovative products for our customers. 

Our research activities are managed internally by our R&D staff. We supplement our internal R&D staff by hiring 

consultants and/or partnering with physicians to gain specialized expertise and understanding. Research efforts are directed 
toward the development of new products and new applications for our existing products, as well as the identification of 
markets not currently addressed by our products. 

We believe that it is important to make a substantial contribution to improving clinical outcomes. For instance, we have 
made substantial investments in researching and improving the treatment of serious eye diseases such as glaucoma and retinal 
disease. The objectives of developing new treatments and applications are to expand the potential patient population, to more 
effectively and more economically treat diseases, to treat patients earlier in the treatment regimen and to reduce the side 
effects of treatment. 

During the three years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, we incurred R&D expenses 

of $5.7 million, $5.4 million and $5.2 million and or 13.8%, 11.6% and 12.5% of sales, respectively. 

We consider clinical projects to be a component of our R&D efforts and they may or may not result in additional 

commercial opportunities.

8

Revenue by Region

Our revenues are generated from various regions throughout the world. Sales made in the United States are 

predominantly through our direct sales force. Our sales outside the United States are made through independent distributors. 
In June 2017, we hired a sales manager to handle our direct sales of our recently established office in Germany. The 
following is an analysis of net sales from continuing operations by geographic region.

United States
Europe
Americas, excluding the U.S.
Asia/Pacific Rim

Customers and Customer Support 

  $

FY 2017
Year Ended
  December 30, 2017  
  $

FY 2016
Year Ended
  December 31, 2016  

FY 2015
Year Ended
January 2, 2016

23,017    $
8,097 
2,319 
8,160 
41,593    $

25,171    $
9,567 
2,800 
8,620 
46,158    $

23,952 
7,968 
2,676 
7,161 
41,757  

Our products are currently sold for use by ophthalmologists specializing in the treatment of eye disease in retina, 

glaucoma and pediatric eye diseases. Other customers include research and teaching hospitals, government installations, 
surgical centers, hospitals, and office clinics (outpatient). No single customer or distributor accounted for 10% or more of 
total revenues in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015. 

We seek to provide superior customer support and service and believe that our customer service and technical support 
distinguish our product offerings from those of our competitors. We provide depot service at our Mountain View facility for 
our products. Our customer support representatives assist customers with orders, warranty returns and other administrative 
functions. Our technical support engineers provide customers with answers to technical and product-related questions. We 
maintain an “around-the-clock” telephone service line to service our customers. If a problem with a depot serviceable product 
cannot be diagnosed and resolved by telephone, a service loaner is shipped overnight to domestic customers under warranty 
or service contract, and by the most rapid delivery means available to our international customers, and the problem unit is 
returned to us. The small size and rugged design of our products allows for economical shipment and quick response to 
customers worldwide. 

Sales and Marketing 

We sell and market our products in the United States predominantly through our direct sales force and internationally 

through independent distributors and our new sales manager in Germany. Currently we have a direct sales force of 22 
employees who are engaged in sales efforts within the United States and 7 personnel engaged in managing our distribution 
sales efforts internationally. We also contract for the services of 7 independent sales representatives to supplement our U.S. 
direct sales efforts. Our sales are administered through our corporate headquarters in Mountain View, California. 

International sales represented 44.7%, 45.5% and 42.6% of our sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We believe 

that our international sales will continue to represent a significant portion of our revenues for the foreseeable future. Our 
international sales are made principally to customers in Europe, Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, Russia, Africa and 
Latin America. Our distribution agreements with our international distributors are generally exclusive and typically can be 
terminated by either party without cause with 90 days’ notice. International sales may be adversely affected by currency 
fluctuations, the imposition of governmental controls, restrictions on export technology, political instability, trade 
restrictions, changes in tariffs and the economic condition in each country in which we sell our products. 

To support our sales process, we conduct marketing programs which include: our website, clinical education, social 

media, email marketing, trade shows, public relations, market research, key opinion leader collaborations and advertising in 
trade and academic journals and newsletters. We typically participate in over 85 trade shows worldwide on an annual basis. 
These meetings allow us to present our products to existing and prospective buyers. 

Through marketing, we collaborate with our customers to identify new products and applications which help meet their 

needs, and in turn provides us with new product concepts, enhances our ability to identify new applications for our products 
and validates new procedures using our products. Customers include key opinion leaders who are often the heads of the 
departments in which they work or professors at universities. We believe that these luminaries in the field of ophthalmology 
are key to the successful introduction of new products and the subsequent acceptance of these new products by the general 
market. Acceptance of our products by these early adopters is key to our strategy in the validation and commercialization of 
our new products. 

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
Operations

The manufacture of our visible light and infrared laser consoles and the related delivery devices is a highly complex 
and precise process. Completed systems must pass quality control and reliability tests before shipment. Our manufacturing 
activities consist of specifying, sourcing, assembling and testing of components and certain subassemblies for assembly into 
our final product. Currently we have a total of 18 employees engaged in manufacturing activities for these products. 

The medical devices manufactured by us are subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental authorities, 

including federal, state, and foreign governmental agencies. The principal regulator in the United States is the FDA. In April 
1998, we received certification for ISO 9001/EN 46001, which is an international quality system standard that documents 
compliance to the European Medical Device Directive. In February 2004, we were certified to ISO 13485:2003, which 
replaced ISO 9001/EN46001 as the international standard for quality systems as applied to medical devices. In August 2008, 
we received FDA 510(k) clearance on our family of IRIDEX IQ laser systems. This clearance covers the IRIDEX IQ 532 and 
IQ 577 laser systems and their associated delivery devices to deliver laser energy in either CW or MicroPulse mode. In 
January 2015, we received FDA 510(k) clearance for Cyclo G6. These laser systems are intended for a wide range of specific 
applications in the medical specialties of ophthalmology. 

International regulatory bodies often establish varying product standards, packaging requirements, labeling 

requirements, tariff regulations, duties and tax requirements. As a result of our sales in Europe, we are required to have all 
products “CE” marked, an international symbol affixed to all products demonstrating compliance to the European Medical 
Device Directive and all applicable standards. In July 1998, we received CE mark certification under Annex II guidelines, the 
most stringent path to CE certification. With Annex II CE mark certification, we have demonstrated our ability to both 
understand and comply with all applicable standards under the European Medical Device Directive. Currently, all of our 
released products are CE marked. Continued certification is based on successful review of the process by our European 
Registrar during its annual audit. Any loss of certification would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations and financial condition. We rely on third parties to manufacture substantially all of the components used in our 
products, although we assemble critical subassemblies and the final product at our facility in Mountain View, California. 
Some of these suppliers and manufacturers are sole source. We have some long-term or volume purchase agreements with 
our suppliers but currently purchase most components on a purchase order basis. These components may not be available in 
the quantities required, on reasonable terms, or at all. Financial or other difficulties faced by our suppliers or significant 
changes in demand for these components or materials could limit their availability. Any failures by our third-party suppliers 
to adequately perform may delay the submission of products for regulatory approval, impair our ability to deliver products on 
a timely basis or otherwise impair our competitive position. 

Competition

Competition in the market for laser systems and delivery devices used for ophthalmic treatment procedures is intense 

and is expected to increase. This market is also characterized by technological innovation and change. We compete by 
providing features and services that are valued by our customers such as: enhanced product performance, and clinical 
outcomes, ease of use, durability, versatility, customer training services and rapid repair of equipment. 

Our principal ophthalmic laser competitors are Alcon Inc. (Novartis AG), Bausch and Lomb (Valeant), Carl Zeiss 
Meditec AG, Ellex Medical Lasers, Ltd., Lumenis Ltd., Nidek Co. Ltd., Quantel Medical SA, and Topcon Corporation.  We 
also compete with alternative glaucoma surgical device companies such as Alcon, Allergan, and Glaukos.  Pharmaceuticals 
represent alternative treatments to our laser procedures.  Some of our principal pharmaceutical competitors are Alcon, 
Allergan, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche (Genentech), and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.  Some of our 
competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, product development, manufacturing, marketing and technical 
resources than we do. Some companies also have greater name recognition than us and long-standing customer relationships. 
In addition, other medical companies, academic and research institutions, or others, may develop new technologies or 
therapies, including medical devices, surgical procedures or pharmacological treatments and obtain regulatory approval for 
products utilizing such techniques that are more effective in treating the conditions targeted by us, or are less expensive than 
our current or future products. Our technologies and products could be rendered obsolete by such developments. Any such 
developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Patents and Proprietary Rights

Our success and ability to compete is dependent in part upon our proprietary information. We rely on a combination of 
patents, trade secrets, copyright and trademark laws, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures 
to protect our intellectual property rights. These are either developed internally or obtained from acquisitions such as 
RetinaLabs and Ocunetics. We file patent applications to protect technology, inventions and improvements that are 
significant to the development of our business. Our patent portfolio includes 25 active United States patents and 13 active 
foreign patents on the technologies related to our continuing products and processes, which have expiration dates ranging 

10

from 2018 to 2034. We have 10 patent applications pending in the United States and 12 foreign patent applications pending. 
Our patent applications may not be approved. 

In addition to patents, we rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how which we seek to protect, in part, through 

proprietary information agreements with employees, consultants and other parties. Our proprietary information agreements 
with our employees and consultants contain provisions requiring such individuals to assign to us, without additional 
consideration, any inventions conceived or reduced to practice by them while employed or retained by us, subject to 
customary exceptions. 

Government Regulation

The medical devices marketed and manufactured by us are subject to extensive regulation by numerous governmental 

authorities, including federal, state, and foreign governmental agencies. Pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“FDA Act”), the FDA serves as the principal federal agency 
within the United States with authority over medical devices and regulates the research, clinical testing, manufacture, 
labeling, distribution, sale, marketing and promotion of such devices. Noncompliance with applicable requirements can result 
in, among other things, warning letters, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall or seizures of products, total or partial 
suspension of production, failure of the government to grant pre-market clearance or approval for devices, withdrawal of 
marketing approvals, and criminal prosecution. The FDA also has the authority to request repair, replacement or refund of the 
cost of any medical device manufactured or distributed by us. 

In the United States, medical devices are classified into one of three classes (Class I, II or III). The class to which the 

device is assigned determines, among other things, the type of pre-marketing submission/application required for FDA 
clearance to market. If the device is classified as Class I or II, and if it is not exempt, a 510(k) pre-market notification will be 
required for marketing. Under FDA regulations, Class I devices are subject to general controls (for example, labeling, pre-
market notification and adherence to Quality System Regulations (“QSRs”) requirements). Class II devices receive marketing 
clearance through a 510(k) pre-market notification. For Class III devices, a pre-market approval (“PMA”) application will be 
required unless the device is a pre-amendments device (on the market prior to the passage of the medical device amendments 
in 1976, or substantially equivalent to such a device) and PMAs have not been called for. In that case, a 510(k) will be the 
route to market. A 510(k) clearance will be granted if the submitted information establishes that the proposed device is 
substantially equivalent to a legally marketed Class I or II medical device, or to a Class III medical device for which the FDA 
has not called for a PMA. The FDA may determine that a proposed device is not substantially equivalent to a legally 
marketed device or that additional information or data are needed before a substantial equivalence determination can be 
made. A request for additional data may require that clinical studies of the device’s safety and efficacy be performed. 

Commercial distribution of a device for which a 510(k) notification is required can begin only after the FDA issues an 
order finding the device to be substantially equivalent to a previously cleared device. The FDA has recently been requiring a 
more rigorous demonstration of substantial equivalence than in the past. Even in cases where the FDA grants a 510(k) 
clearance, it can take the FDA between three and six months from the date of submission to grant a 510(k) clearance, but it 
may take longer. 

A not substantially equivalent determination, or a request for additional information, could delay the market 

introduction of new products that fall into this category and could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition and results of operations. For any of our products that are cleared through the 510(k) process, modifications or 
enhancements that could significantly affect the safety or efficacy of the device or that constitute a major change to the 
intended use of the device will require new 510(k) submissions. 

We have obtained 510(k) clearances for all of our marketed products. We have also modified aspects of our products 

since receiving regulatory clearance, and we have submitted special 510(k)s for those modifications as required by FDA 
regulations. After a device receives a 510(k) clearance or a PMA, any modification that could significantly affect its safety or 
effectiveness, or that would constitute a major change in its intended use, will require a new clearance or approval. The FDA 
requires each manufacturer to make this determination initially, but the FDA can review any such decision and can disagree 
with a manufacturer’s determination. If the FDA disagrees with our determination not to seek a new 510(k) clearance or 
PMA, the FDA may retroactively require us to seek 510(k) clearance or pre-market approval. The FDA could also require us 
to cease marketing and distribution and/or recall the modified device until a 510(k) clearance or a PMA approval is obtained. 
Also, in these circumstances, we may be subject to significant regulatory fines or penalties. 

Any products manufactured or distributed by us pursuant to FDA clearances or approvals are subject to pervasive and 
continuing regulation by the FDA, including record keeping requirements and reporting of adverse experiences with the use 
of the device. Device manufacturers are required to register their establishments and list their devices with the FDA and 
certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies. The FDA Act requires 
devices to be manufactured to comply with applicable QSR regulations which impose certain procedural and documentation 

11

requirements upon us with respect to design, development, manufacturing and quality assurance activities. We are subject to 
unannounced inspections by the FDA and the Food and Drug Branch of the California Department of Health Services, to 
determine our compliance with the QSR and other regulations, and these inspections may include the manufacturing facilities 
of our subcontractors. 

Labeling and promotion activities are subject to scrutiny by the FDA and in certain instances, by the Federal Trade 
Commission. The FDA actively enforces regulations prohibiting marketing of products for unapproved uses. We and our 
products are also subject to a variety of state laws and regulations in those states or localities where our products are or will 
be marketed. Any applicable state or local regulations may hinder our ability to market our products in those states or 
localities. Manufacturers are also subject to numerous federal, state and local laws relating to such matters as safe working 
conditions, manufacturing practices, environmental protection, fire hazard control and disposal of hazardous or potentially 
hazardous substances. We may be required to incur significant costs to comply with such laws and regulations now or in the 
future. Such laws or regulations may have a material adverse effect upon our ability to do business. 

Export of our products is regulated by the FDA and is covered by the Export Amendment of 1996, which greatly 

expanded the export of approved and unapproved United States medical devices. However, some foreign countries require 
manufacturers to provide an FDA certificate of products for export (“CPE”) which requires the device manufacturer to certify 
to the FDA that the product has been granted pre-market clearance in the United States and that the manufacturing facilities 
appeared to be in compliance with QSR at the time of the last QSR inspection. The FDA will refuse to issue a CPE if 
significant outstanding QSR violations exist. 

We are also regulated under the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act, which requires laser products to comply 

with performance standards, including design and operation requirements, and manufacturers to certify in product labeling 
and in reports to the FDA that their products comply with all such standards. The law also requires laser manufacturers to file 
new product and annual reports, maintain manufacturing, testing and sales records and report product defects. Various 
warning labels must be affixed and certain protective devices installed, depending on the class of the product. 

The introduction of our products in foreign markets will also subject us to foreign regulatory clearances which may 

impose substantial additional costs and burdens. International sales of medical devices are subject to the regulatory 
requirements of each country. The regulatory review process varies from country to country. Many countries also impose 
product standards, packaging requirements, labeling requirements and import restrictions on devices. In addition, each 
country has its own tariff regulations, duties and tax requirements. The approval by the FDA and foreign government 
authorities is unpredictable and uncertain. The necessary approvals or clearances may not be granted on a timely basis, if at 
all. Delays in receipt of, or a failure to receive, such approvals or clearances, or the loss of any previously received approvals 
or clearances, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There are a 
number of major regulatory changes occurring in the regulation of medical devices in the European Union. A new revision of 
the quality system regulation (ISO 13485:2016) has been released that substantially increases the requirements for a medical 
device quality system. The Medical Device Regulation (“MDR”) will replace the current medical device directive 
(93/42/EEC), and it substantially changes the way that medical devices are brought to market in the European Union and how 
they maintain compliance throughout the product’s life cycle. Additionally, the new revision 4 of the clinical evaluation 
report guidance document (MEDDEV 2.7.1) severely restricts the use of substantial equivalence for new products, resulting 
in the need for formal clinical trial data for most new products. These changes will increase the cost for compliance and for 
product development, and they lengthen product introduction cycles. Failure to comply with these changes can have an 
adverse effect on our ability to release new products in a timely manner.

Changes in existing requirements or adoption of new requirements or policies by the FDA or other foreign and 
domestic regulatory authorities could adversely affect our ability to comply with regulatory requirements. Failure to comply 
with regulatory requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. We may be required to incur significant costs to comply with laws and regulations in the future. These laws or 
regulations may have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition or results of operations. 

Reimbursement 

The cost of a significant portion of medical care in the United States is funded by government programs, health 

maintenance organizations and private insurance plans. Our ophthalmology products are typically purchased by doctors, 
clinics, hospitals and other users, which bill various third-party payers, such as government programs and private insurance 
plans, for the health care services provided to their patients. Government imposed limits on reimbursement of hospitals and 
other health care providers have significantly affected the spending budgets of doctors, clinics and hospitals to acquire new 
equipment, including our products. Under certain government insurance programs, a health care provider is reimbursed for a 
fixed sum for services rendered in treating a patient, regardless of the actual charge for such treatment. The Center for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services reimburses hospitals on a prospectively-determined fixed amount basis for the costs 

12

associated with an in-patient hospitalization based on the patient’s discharge diagnosis, regardless of the actual costs incurred 
by the hospital or physician in furnishing the care and regardless of the specific devices used in that procedure. 

Private third-party reimbursement plans are also developing increasingly sophisticated methods of controlling health-

care costs by imposing limitations on reimbursable procedures and the exploration of more cost-effective methods of 
delivering health care. In general, these government and private measures have caused health care providers, including our 
customers, to be more selective in the purchase of medical products. In addition, changes in government regulation or in 
private third-party payers’ policies may limit or eliminate reimbursement for procedures employing our products, which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

Doctors, clinics, hospitals and other users of our products may not obtain adequate reimbursement for use of our 

products from third-party payers. While we believe that the laser procedures using our products have generally been 
reimbursed, payers may deny coverage and reimbursement for our products if they determine that the device was not 
reasonable and necessary for the purpose used, was investigational or was not cost-effective. 

Backlog and Seasonality 

We generally do not maintain a material level of backlog. As a result, we do not believe that our backlog at any 
particular time is indicative of future sales levels. Our quarterly results have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected 
by seasonal factors. For example, our European sales during the third quarter are generally lower due to many businesses 
being closed for the summer vacation season. 

Employees

As of December 30, 2017, we had a total of 116 full-time equivalent employees engaged in our ongoing operations, 

including 49 in operations (including manufacturing, quality, logistics and service), 39 in sales and marketing which does not 
include the 7 independent sales representatives, 13 in R&D and 15 in finance and administration. We also employ, from time 
to time, a number of temporary and part-time employees as well as consultants on a contract basis. As of December 30, 2017, 
we employed 38 such persons. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to attract, train, retain and motivate 
highly qualified employees, who are in great demand. We may not be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel. 
Our employees are not represented by a collective bargaining organization, and we have never experienced a work stoppage 
or strike. We consider our employee relations to be good. 

Available Information 

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to 

reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are available, free of charge, 
through the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. These periodic reports and 
amendments are also available, free of charge, on our website at www.IRIDEX.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after 
such reports are electronically filed with the SEC. 

Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using SEC filings, 
press releases, our investor relations website, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels as well as social 
media to communicate with investors, customers and the public about our company, our products and other issues. It is 
possible that the information we post on social media channels could be deemed to be material information. We encourage 
investors, our customers, and others interested in IRIDEX to review the information we post on our Facebook page 
(www.facebook.com/IRIDEX) and Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/IRIDEX). Any information on, or that can be accessed 
through, our website and social media channels is not part of this report.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors 

Factors That May Affect Future Results 

In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report Form 10-K, we have identified the following risks 
and uncertainties that may have a material adverse effect on our business, common stock price, financial condition or results 
of operations. You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. 

Risks Relating to our Business

We face quality control and other production issues that could materially and adversely impact our sales and 

financial results and the acceptance of our products.

The manufacture of our infrared and visible laser consoles and related delivery devices is a highly complex and precise 

process. We may experience manufacturing difficulties, quality control issues or assembly constraints.

If our sales increase substantially, we may need to increase our production capacity and may not be able to do so in a 

timely, effective or cost-efficient manner. We may not be able to manufacture sufficient quantities of our products, which 
may require that we qualify other manufacturers for our products. Furthermore, we may experience delays, disruptions, 
capacity constraints or quality control problems in our manufacturing operations.

In the past several years, we have experienced supply chain, production and training issues as we have expanded our 

product lines and sales volumes, and may experience similar issues in the future as we continue to grow our business. These 
issues have caused, and may in the future cause, us to reduce or delay the shipment of our products and incur costs to service 
or replace products already shipped to customers. We have also incurred, and may in the future incur, additional costs to 
rectify or prevent similar issues in the future. Our efforts to address these supply chain, production and training issues may 
not be successful, and if we are unable to address these issues in a timely and cost-effective manner, product shipments to our 
customers could be delayed, our sales levels may suffer and manufacturing and operational costs may increase, any of which 
would negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

Some of our laser systems are complex in design and may contain defects that are not detected until deployed by our 

customers, which could increase our costs and reduce our revenues. 

Laser systems are inherently complex in design and require regular maintenance. The manufacture of our lasers, laser 
products and systems involves a highly complex and precise process. As a result of the technical complexity of our products, 
changes in our or our suppliers’ manufacturing processes or the inadvertent use of defective materials by us or our suppliers 
could result in a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve acceptable manufacturing yields and product reliability. To 
the extent that we do not achieve such yields or product reliability, our business, operating results, financial condition and 
customer relationships would be adversely affected. We provide warranties on certain of our product sales, and allowances 
for estimated warranty costs are recorded during the period of sale. The determination of such allowances requires us to make 
estimates of failure rates and expected costs to repair or replace the products under warranty. We currently establish warranty 
reserves based on historical warranty costs. If actual return rates and/or repair and replacement costs differ significantly from 
our estimates, adjustments to recognize additional cost of revenues may be required in future periods. 

Our customers may discover defects in our products after the products have been fully deployed and operated under 

peak stress conditions. In addition, some of our products are combined with products from other vendors, which may contain 
defects. As a result, should problems occur, it may be difficult to identify the source of the problem. If we are unable to 
identify and fix defects or other problems, we could experience, among other things: 

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loss of customers; 

increased costs of product returns and warranty expenses; 

damage to our brand reputation; 

failure to attract new customers or achieve market acceptance; 

diversion of development and engineering resources; and 

legal actions by our customers. 

The occurrence of any one or more of the foregoing factors could seriously harm our business, financial condition and 

results of operations.

14

We rely on our direct and independent sales forces and network of international distributors to sell our products and 

any failure to maintain our sales force and distributor relationships could harm our business.

Our ability to sell our products and generate revenues depends upon our direct and independent sales forces within the 
United States, relationships with independent distributors outside the United States, and the establishment of our direct sales 
capabilities in Germany. Currently our direct and independent sales forces within the United States consist of approximately 
22 employees and 7 independent representatives, respectively. Our international independent distributors are managed by a 
team of five people. We generally grant our distributors exclusive territories for the sale of our products in specified countries. 
The amount and timing of resources dedicated by our distributors to the sales of our products is not within our control. Our 
international sales are largely dependent on the efforts of these third parties. If any distributor breaches the terms of its 
distribution agreement with us or fails to generate sales of our products, we may be forced to replace the distributor and our 
ability to sell our products into that exclusive sales territory would be adversely affected.

We do not have any long-term employment contracts with the members of our direct sales force. We may be unable to 
replace our direct sales force personnel with individuals of equivalent technical expertise and qualifications, which may harm 
our revenues and our ability to maintain market share. Similarly, our independent and distributor agreements are generally 
terminable at will by either party and independents and distributors may terminate their relationships with us, which would 
affect our sales and results of operations.  As we establish our direct sales capabilities in Germany, we may be unable to 
recruit and retain qualified personnel in this region. Any loss of the members of our existing direct or indirect sales 
organizations, or any failure to execute on our plans to further develop our sales function, could have an adverse impact on 
our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Growth in our sales and marketing organization may create operational challenges without immediately offsetting 

benefits.  

We have increase and continue to increase our internal sales and marketing functions.  This growth may place a 
significant strain on our management, operating and financial systems and our sales, marketing, training and administrative 
resources. As a result of our growth, our operating costs may escalate even faster than planned, and some of our internal 
systems may need to be enhanced or replaced. For example, if we are unable to provide adequate training for our expanding 
sales force, our ability to fully utilize new sales and marketing resources may be adversely impacted, we could suffer 
reputational harm and our ability to maintain our installed base of customers may be negatively impacted.  If we cannot 
effectively manage our expanding operations and our costs, we may not be able to grow effectively or we may grow at a 
slower pace, and our business could be adversely affected.

It can take six months or longer before our internal sales representatives are fully trained and productive in selling our 
solution to prospective clients. This ramp period presents a number of operational challenges as the cost of recruiting, hiring 
and carrying new sales representatives cannot be offset by the revenue such new sales representatives produce until after they 
complete their ramp periods.  If we cannot reliably develop our sales representatives to a productive level, or if we lose 
productive representatives in whom we have heavily invested, our future growth rates and revenue will suffer. 

We depend on international sales for a significant portion of our operating results. 

We derive, and expect to continue to derive, a large portion of our revenues from international sales. For the fiscal year 

ended December 30, 2017, our international sales were $18.6 million, or 44.7% of total revenues. We anticipate that 
international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenues in the foreseeable future. All of our 
international revenues and costs for the year ended December 30, 2017 have been denominated in U.S. dollars except for a 
sale transacted through our German subsidiary. As a result, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign 
currencies makes our U.S. dollar-denominated our products more expensive and thus less competitive in foreign markets and 
may negatively affect our reported revenue in any particular reporting period. Our international operations and sales are 
subject to a number of risks and potential costs, including:

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fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; 

product and production issues;

performance of our international channel of distributors; 

longer accounts receivable collection periods; 

impact of recessions in global economies and availability of credit; 

political and economic instability; 

trade sanctions and embargoes;

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impact of international conflicts, terrorist and military activity, civil unrest; 

foreign certification requirements, including continued ability to use the “CE” mark in Europe, and other local 
regulatory requirements; 

differing local product preferences and product requirements; 

cultural differences; 

changes in foreign medical reimbursement and coverage policies and programs; 

reduced or limited protections of intellectual property rights in jurisdictions outside the United States; 

potentially adverse tax consequences; 

protectionist, adverse and changing foreign governmental laws and regulations;

greater risk of our employees failing to comply with both U.S. and foreign laws, including anti-trust regulations, 
the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and any trade regulations designed to 
ensure fair trade practices; and

compliance costs and risks of non-compliance with multiple regulatory regimes governing the production, 
marketing, sale and use of our products.

Any one or more of these factors stated above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition 

or results of operations. 

As we expand our existing international operations, we may encounter new risks in addition to the above factors. For 

example, as we focus on building our international sales and distribution networks in new geographic regions, we must 
continue to develop relationships with qualified local distributors and trading companies. If we are not successful in 
developing these relationships, we may not be able to grow sales in these geographic regions. These or other similar risks 
could adversely affect our revenues, profitability and the price of our common stock.

If we fail to develop and successfully introduce new products and applications, our business prospects and operating 

results may suffer.

Our ability to generate incremental revenue growth will depend, in part, on the successful outcome of research and 

development activities, which may include clinical trials that lead to the development of new products and new applications 
using our products. Our research and development process is expensive, prolonged, and entails considerable uncertainty. Due 
to the complexities and uncertainties associated with ophthalmic research and development, products we are currently 
developing may not complete the development process or obtain the regulatory approvals required to market such products 
successfully.

Successful commercialization of new products and new applications will require that we effectively transfer production 

processes from research and development to manufacturing and effectively coordinate with our suppliers. In addition, we 
must successfully sell and achieve market acceptance of new products and applications and enhanced versions of existing 
products. The extent of, and rate at which, market acceptance and penetration are achieved by future products is a function of 
many variables, which include, among other things, price, safety, efficacy, reliability, marketing and sales efforts, the 
development of new applications for these products, the availability of third-party reimbursement of procedures using our 
new products, the existence of competing products and general economic conditions affecting purchasing patterns.

Our ability to market and sell new products is subject to government regulation, including approval or clearance by the 

FDA and foreign government agencies. Any failure in our ability to successfully develop and introduce new products or 
enhanced versions of existing products and achieve market acceptance of new products and new applications could have a 
material adverse effect on our operating results and could cause our net revenues to decline.

We are exposed to risks associated with worldwide economic slowdowns and related uncertainties. 

We are subject to macro-economic fluctuations in the U.S. and worldwide economy. Concerns about consumer and 
investor confidence, volatile corporate profits and reduced capital spending, international conflicts, terrorist and military 
activity, civil unrest and pandemic illness could reduce customer orders or cause customer order cancellations. In addition, 
political and social turmoil related to international conflicts and terrorist acts may put further pressure on economic 
conditions in the United States and abroad.

Weak economic conditions and declines in consumer spending and consumption may harm our operating results. 

Purchases of our products are often discretionary. During uncertain economic times, customers or potential customers may 

16

delay, reduce or forego their purchases of our products and services, which may impact our business in a number of ways, 
including lower prices for our products and services and reducing or delaying sales. There could be a number of follow-on 
effects from economic uncertainty on our business, including insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays, delays 
in customer payments of outstanding accounts receivable and/or customer insolvencies, counterparty failures negatively 
impacting our operations, and increasing expense or inability to obtain future financing.

If economic uncertainty persisted, or if the economy entered a prolonged period of decelerating growth, our results of 

operations may be harmed.

Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year. 

Our sales and operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year in the future. Our 

operating results are affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Factors contributing to these 
fluctuations include the following:

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changes in the prices at which we can sell our products, including the impact of changes in exchange rates; 

general economic uncertainties and political concerns; 

introduction of new products, product enhancements and new applications by our competitors, including new 
drugs, entry of new competitors into our markets, pricing pressures and other competitive factors;

the timing of the introduction and market acceptance of new products, product enhancements and new 
applications; 

changes in demand for our existing line of ophthalmology products; 

the cost and availability of components and subassemblies, including the willingness and ability of our sole or 
limited source suppliers to timely deliver components at the times and prices that we have planned; 

our ability to maintain sales volumes at a level sufficient to cover fixed manufacturing and operating costs; 

fluctuations in our product mix within ophthalmology products and foreign and domestic sales; 

the effect of regulatory approvals and changes in domestic and foreign regulatory requirements; 

our long and highly variable sales cycle; 

changes in customers’ or potential customers’ budgets as a result of, among other things, reimbursement policies 
of government programs and private insurers for treatments that use our products; 

variances in shipment volumes as a result of product, supply chain and training issues; and 

increased product innovation costs. 

In addition to these factors, our quarterly results have been, and are expected to continue to be, affected by seasonal 
factors. For example, our European sales during the third quarter are generally lower due to many businesses being closed for 
the summer vacation season.

Our expense levels are based, in part, on expected future sales. If sales levels in a particular quarter do not meet 
expectations, we may be unable to adjust operating expenses quickly enough to compensate for the shortfall of sales, and our 
results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, we have historically made a significant portion of each quarter’s 
product shipments near the end of the quarter. If that pattern continues, any delays in shipment of products could have a 
material adverse effect on results of operations for such quarters. Due to these and other factors, we believe that quarter to 
quarter and year to year comparisons of our past operating results may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our results 
for any quarter or year as an indication of our future performance. Our operating results in future quarters and years may be 
below expectations, which would likely cause the price of our common stock to fall.

17

We rely on continued market acceptance of our existing products and any decline in sales of our existing products 

would adversely affect our business and results of operations. 

We currently market visible and infrared medical laser systems and delivery devices to the ophthalmology market. We 

believe that continued and increased sales, if any, of these medical laser systems is dependent upon a number of factors 
including the following:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

acceptance of product performance, features, ease of use, scalability and durability, including with respect to our 
MicroPulse laser photocoagulation systems; 

recommendations and opinions by ophthalmologists, other clinicians, and their associated opinion leaders; 

marketing and clinical study outcomes;

price of our products and prices of competing products and technologies, particularly in light of the current 
macro-economic environment where healthcare systems and healthcare operators are becoming increasingly 
price sensitive;

availability of competing products, technologies and alternative treatments; and 

level of reimbursement for treatments administered with our products. 

In addition, we derive a meaningful portion of our sales in the form of recurring revenues from selling consumable 

instrumentation, including our MP3 and EndoProbe devices. Our ability to increase recurring revenues from the sale of 
consumable products will depend primarily upon the features of our current products and product innovation, the quality of, 
ease of use and prices of our products, including the relationship to prices of competing products. The level of our service 
revenues will depend on the quality of service we provide and the responsiveness and the willingness of our customers to 
request our services rather than purchase competing products or services. Any significant decline in market acceptance of our 
products or our revenues derived from the sales of laser consoles, delivery devices, consumables or services may have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We face strong competition in our markets and expect the level of competition to grow in the foreseeable future. 

Competition in the market for laser systems and delivery devices used for ophthalmic treatment procedures is intense 

and is expected to increase. This market is also characterized by technological innovation and change. We compete by 
providing features and services that are valued by our customers such as: enhanced product performance, and clinical 
outcomes, ease of use, durability, versatility, customer training services and rapid repair of equipment. 

Our principal ophthalmic laser competitors are Alcon Inc. (Novartis AG), Bausch and Lomb (Valeant), Carl Zeiss 
Meditec AG, Ellex Medical Lasers, Ltd., Lumenis Ltd., Nidek Co. Ltd., Quantel Medical SA, and Topcon Corporation.  We 
also compete with alternative glaucoma surgical device companies such as Alcon, Allergan, and Glaukos. Pharmaceuticals 
represent alternative treatments to our laser procedures.  Some of our principal pharmaceutical competitors are Alcon, 
Allergan, OSI Pharmaceuticals (Astellas), Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche (Genentech), and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.  Some of our 
competitors have substantially greater financial, engineering, product development, manufacturing, marketing and technical 
resources than we do. Some companies also have greater name recognition than us and long-standing customer relationships. 
In addition, other medical companies, academic and research institutions, or others, may develop new technologies or 
therapies, including medical devices, surgical procedures or pharmacological treatments and obtain regulatory approval for 
products utilizing such techniques that are more effective in treating the conditions targeted by us, or are less expensive than 
our current or future products. Our technologies and products could be rendered obsolete by such developments. Any such 
developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Our operating results may be adversely affected by uncertainty regarding healthcare reform measures and changes 

in third-party coverage and reimbursement policies. 

Our products are typically purchased by doctors, clinics, hospitals and other users, which bill various third-party payers, 
such as governmental programs and private insurance plans, for the health care services provided to their patients. Changes in 
government legislation or regulation or in private third-party payers’ policies toward reimbursement for procedures 
employing our products may prohibit adequate reimbursement. There have been a number of legislative and regulatory 
proposals to change the healthcare system, reduce the costs of healthcare and change medical reimbursement policies. 
Doctors, clinics, hospitals and other users of our products may decline to purchase our products to the extent there is 
uncertainty regarding reimbursement of medical procedures using our products and any healthcare reform measures. Further 
proposed legislation, regulation and policy changes affecting third-party reimbursement are likely. Among other things, 
Congress has in the past proposed changes to and the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care and Health Care 
and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “Affordable Care Act”), and the current U.S. 

18

presidential administration has announced certain policy changes that could impact the availability of benefits under the 
Affordable Care Act. At this time, it remains unclear whether there will be any changes made to or any repeal of the 
Affordable Care Act, with respect to certain of its provisions or in its entirety, or related administrative policies. Various 
healthcare reform proposals have also emerged at the state level.

We are unable to predict what legislation or regulation, if any, relating to the health care industry or third-party 

coverage and reimbursement may be enacted in the future at the state or federal level, or what effect such legislation or 
regulation may have on us. Furthermore, existing legislation and regulation related to the health care industry and third-party 
coverage reimbursement, including the Affordable Care Act, has been subject to judicial challenge, and may be subject to 
similar challenges from time to time in the future. Denial of coverage and reimbursement of our products, or the revocation 
or changes to coverage and reimbursement policies, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations and financial condition.

Third-party payers are increasingly scrutinizing and continue to challenge the coverage of new products and the level 
of reimbursement for covered products. Doctors, clinics, hospitals and other users of our products may not obtain adequate 
reimbursement for use of our products from third-party payers. While we believe that the laser procedures using our products 
have generally been reimbursed, payers may deny coverage and reimbursement for our products if they determine that the 
device was not reasonable and necessary for the purpose used, was investigational or was not cost-effective.

If we fail to comply with healthcare laws, we could face substantial penalties and financial exposure, and our 

business, operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

While we do not bill directly to Medicare, Medicaid or other third-party payors, because payment is in many cases 

available for our products from such payors, many healthcare laws place limitations and requirements on the manner in 
which we conduct our business (including our sales and promotional activities and interactions with healthcare professionals 
and facilities) and could result in liability and exposure for us. The laws that may affect our ability to operate include (i) the 
federal healthcare programs Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons from knowingly and 
willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or to induce either the 
referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service for which payment may be 
made under federal healthcare programs such as Medicare or Medicaid, (ii) federal false claims laws which prohibit, among 
other things, individuals or entities from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, claims for payment from 
Medicare, Medicaid, or other third-party payors that are false or fraudulent, and which may apply to entities like us if we 
provide coding and billing advice to customers, or under theories of “implied certification” where the government and qui 
tam relators may allege that device companies are liable where a product that was paid for by the government in whole or in 
part was promoted “off-label,” lacked necessary clearance or approval, or failed to comply with good manufacturing 
practices or other laws; (iii) transparency laws and related reporting and disclosures requirements such as the federal 
Sunshine Act, now known as Open Payments; and/or (iv) state law equivalents of each of the above federal laws, including, 
without limitation anti-kickback and false claims laws which may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party 
payor, including commercial insurers, many of which differ from their federal counterparts in significant ways, thus 
complicating compliance efforts.

If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental regulations 

that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, exclusion from participation in 
government healthcare programs, damages, fines and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations. Any penalties, 
damages, fines, curtailment or restructuring of our operations could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and 
our financial results. The risk of our being found in violation of these laws is increased by the fact that their provisions are 
open to a variety of evolving interpretations and enforcement discretion. Open Payments, commonly known as the Sunshine 
Act, is a relatively new law, and compliance with this law has presented a number of challenges to companies such as ours, in 
terms of interpretation of the law and its implementation. Under the Sunshine Act, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
(“CMS”) has the potential to impose penalties of up to $1.15 million per year for violations, depending on the circumstances, 
although enforcement has been negligible to date. Payments reported under the Sunshine Act also have the potential to draw 
scrutiny on payments to and relationships with physicians, which may have implications under the Anti-Kickback Statute and 
other healthcare laws. The risk that we are our being found in violation of these laws may be increased by the fact that we do 
not have a formal healthcare compliance program in place. Further, while safe harbors may in some instances be available 
and utilized by companies to reduce risks associated with the Anti-Kickback Statute and certain other healthcare laws, we 
have not necessarily utilized such safe harbors nor fully followed all elements required to claim the benefit of such safe 
harbors in all possible instances. Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, 
could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.

19

We depend on collaborative relationships to develop, introduce and market new products, product enhancements 

and new applications.

We depend on both clinical and commercial collaborative relationships. We have entered into collaborative 
relationships with academic medical centers and physicians in connection with the research and innovation and clinical 
testing of our products. Commercially, we currently have a distribution and licensing agreement with Alcon for our GreenTip 
SoftTip Cannula. Sales of and royalties from the GreenTip SoftTip Cannula are dependent upon the sales performance of 
Alcon, which depends on their efforts and is beyond our control. The failure to obtain any additional future clinical or 
commercial collaborations and the resulting failure or success of such collaborations could have a material adverse effect on 
our ability to introduce new products or applications and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results of operations and financial condition.

If we cannot increase our sales volumes, reduce our costs or introduce higher margin products to offset potential 

reductions in the average unit price of our products, our operating results may suffer. 

The average unit price of our products may decrease in the future in response to changes in product mix, competitive 

pricing pressures, new product introductions by our competitors or other factors. If we are unable to offset the anticipated 
decrease in our average selling prices by increasing our sales volumes or through new product introductions, our net revenues 
will decline. In addition, to maintain our gross margins we must continue to reduce the manufacturing cost of our products. If 
we cannot maintain our gross margins our business will be seriously harmed, particularly if the average selling price of our 
products decreases significantly without a corresponding increase in sales.

Our promotional practices are subject to extensive government scrutiny. We may be subject to governmental, 

regulatory and other legal proceedings relative to advertising, promotion, and marketing that could have a significant 
negative effect on our business.

We are subject to governmental oversight and associated civil and criminal enforcement relating to drug and medical 
device advertising, promotion, and marketing, and such enforcement is evolving and intensifying. In the United States, we 
are subject to potential enforcement from the FDA, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, the CMS, 
other divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services and state and local governments. Other parties, including 
private plaintiffs, also are commonly bringing suit against pharmaceutical and medical device companies, alleging off-label 
marketing and other violations. We may be subject to liability based on the actions of individual employees and contractors 
carrying out activities on our behalf, including sales representatives who may interact with healthcare professionals.

If we fail to manage growth effectively, our business could be disrupted which could harm our operating results.

We have experienced and may in the future experience growth in our business, both organically and through the 
acquisition of businesses and products. We have made and expect to continue to make significant investments to enable our 
future growth through, among other things, new product innovation and clinical trials for new applications and products. We 
must also be prepared to expand our work force and to train, motivate and manage additional employees as the need for 
additional personnel arises. Our personnel, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support our future 
operations. Any failure to effectively manage future growth could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations and financial condition.

We rely on patents and proprietary rights to protect our intellectual property and business.

Our success and ability to compete is dependent, in part, upon our proprietary information. We rely on a combination 

of patents, trade secrets, copyright and trademark laws, nondisclosure and other contractual agreements and technical 
measures to protect our intellectual property rights. We file patent applications to protect technology, inventions and 
improvements that are significant to the development of our business. Our patent portfolio includes 25 active United States 
patents and 13 active foreign patents on the technologies related to our products and processes. In addition, we have 10 patent 
applications pending in the United States and 12 foreign patent applications pending. Our patent applications may not be 
approved. Any patents granted now or in the future may offer only limited protection against potential infringement and 
development by our competitors of competing products. Moreover, our competitors, many of which have substantial 
resources and have made substantial investments in competing technologies, may seek to apply for and obtain patents that 
will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our products either in the United States or in international 
markets. Patents have a limited lifetime and once a patent expires competition may increase.

In addition to patents, we rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how which we seek to protect, in part, through 

proprietary information agreements with employees, consultants and other parties. Our proprietary information agreements 
with our employees and consultants contain industry standard provisions requiring such individuals to assign to us, without 
additional consideration, any inventions conceived or reduced to practice by them while employed or retained by us, subject 
to customary exceptions. Proprietary information agreements with employees, consultants and others may be breached, and 

20

we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. Also, our trade secrets may become known to or independently 
developed by competitors.

The laser and medical device industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual 

property rights. Companies in the medical device industry have employed intellectual property litigation to gain a 
competitive advantage.

Numerous patents are held by others, including academic institutions and our competitors. Patent applications filed in 

the United States after November 2000 generally will be published eighteen months after the filing date. However, since 
patent applications continue to be maintained in secrecy for at least some period of time, both within the United States and 
internationally, we cannot provide assurance that our technology does not infringe any patents or patent applications held by 
third parties. We have, from time to time, been notified of, or have otherwise been made aware of, claims that we may be 
infringing upon patents or other proprietary intellectual property owned by others. If it appears necessary or desirable, we 
may seek licenses under such patents or proprietary intellectual property. Although patent holders commonly offer such 
licenses, licenses under such patents or intellectual property may not be offered or the terms of any offered licenses may not 
be reasonable.

Any claims, with or without merit, and regardless of whether we are successful on the merits, would be time-

consuming, result in costly litigation and diversion of technical and management personnel, cause shipment delays or require 
us to develop non-infringing technology or to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. An adverse determination in a 
judicial or administrative proceeding and failure to obtain necessary licenses or develop alternate technologies could prevent 
us from manufacturing and selling our products, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations and financial condition.

In January 2018, we filed a lawsuit against Quantel Medical, S.A., Quantel USA, Inc., and Quantel, S.A. (collectively, 

“Quantel”) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  The lawsuit alleges that Quantel products 
infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,771,417, that Quantel breached an earlier agreement between Quantel and the Company, and that 
Quantel has infringed upon the Company’s MicroPulse® trademark, Registration No. 4550188 on the principal register. 
Quantel previously had a limited license to the asserted Company patent and trademark.  Our complaint filed in connection 
with this matter asserts that the license was terminated in early 2017 for material breach, but that Quantel continued to use 
our intellectual property without authorization.  If we are unsuccessful in prosecuting our claims against Quantel, this could 
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

If we lose key personnel or fail to integrate replacement personnel successfully, our ability to manage our business 

could be impaired.

Our future success depends upon the continued service of our key management, technical, sales, and other critical 
personnel. Our officers and other key personnel are employees-at-will, and we cannot provide assurance that we will be able 
to retain them. Key personnel have left our company in the past, and there likely will be additional departures of key 
personnel from time to time in the future. The loss of any key employee could result in significant disruptions to our 
operations, including adversely affecting the timeliness of product releases, the successful implementation and completion of 
company initiatives, and the results of our operations. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we may not be able to 
attract, assimilate or retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for qualified personnel in our industry and the San 
Francisco Bay Area, as well as other geographic markets in which we recruit, is intense and characterized by increasing 
salaries, which may increase our operating expenses or hinder our ability to recruit qualified candidates. In addition, the 
integration of replacement personnel could be time consuming, may cause additional disruptions to our operations, and may 
be unsuccessful.

If we fail to accurately forecast demand for our product and component requirements for the manufacture of our 

product, we could incur additional costs or experience manufacturing delays and may experience lost sales or significant 
inventory carrying costs.

We use quarterly and annual forecasts based primarily on our anticipated product orders to plan our manufacturing 
efforts and determine our requirements for components and materials. It is very important that we accurately predict both the 
demand for our product and the lead times required to obtain or manufacture the necessary components, materials, and fully 
assembled products. Lead times for components and fully assembled products vary significantly and depend on numerous 
factors, including the specific supplier, the size of the order, contract terms and current market demand for such products. If 
we overestimate the demand for our product, we may have excess inventory, which would increase our costs. If we 
underestimate demand for our product and consequently, our components, materials and fully assembled products 
requirements, we may have inadequate inventory, which could interrupt our manufacturing, delay delivery of our product to 
our customers and result in the loss of customer sales. Any of these occurrences would negatively impact our business and 
operating results.

21

We depend on sole source or limited source suppliers.

We rely on third parties to manufacture substantially all of the components used in our products, including optics, laser 

diodes and crystals. We have some long term or volume purchase agreements with our suppliers and currently purchase 
components and fully-assembled products on a purchase order basis. Some of our suppliers and manufacturers are sole or 
limited sources. In addition, some of these suppliers are relatively small private companies whose operations may be 
disrupted or discontinued at any time. There are risks associated with the use of independent manufacturers, including the 
following:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

unavailability of shortages or limitations on the ability to obtain supplies of components and products in the 
quantities that we require;

delays in delivery or failure of suppliers to deliver critical components and products on the dates we require;

failure of suppliers to manufacture and assemble components and products to our specifications, and potentially 
reduced quality; and

inability to obtain components and products at acceptable prices.

Our business and operating results may suffer from the lack of alternative sources of supply for critical sole and limited 

source components and fully-assembled products. The process of qualifying suppliers is complex, requires extensive testing 
with our products, and may be lengthy, particularly as new products are introduced. New suppliers would have to be educated 
in our production processes. In addition, the use of alternate components may require design alterations to our products and 
additional product testing under FDA and relevant foreign regulatory agency guidelines, which may delay sales and increase 
product costs. Any failures by our vendors to adequately supply limited and sole source components or products may impair 
our ability to offer our existing products, delay the submission of new products for regulatory approval and market 
introduction, materially harm our business and financial condition and cause our stock price to decline. Establishing our own 
capabilities to manufacture these components or products would be expensive and could significantly decrease our profit 
margins. Our business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected if we are unable to continue 
to obtain components or fully-assembled products in the quantity and quality desired and at the prices we have budgeted.

If our facilities were to experience catastrophic loss, our operations would be seriously harmed.

Our facilities could be subject to catastrophic loss such as fire, flood or earthquake. All of our research and 
development activities, manufacturing, our corporate headquarters and other critical business operations are located near 
major earthquake faults in Mountain View, California. Any such loss at any of our facilities could disrupt our operations, 
delay production, shipments and revenue and result in large expense to repair and replace our facilities.

If we fail to maintain our relationships with health care providers, customers may not buy our products and our 
revenue and profitability may decline. At the same time, relationships with these individuals and entities are the subject of 
heightened scrutiny and may present the potential for healthcare compliance risks.

We market our products to numerous health care providers, including physicians, hospitals, ASC’s, government 

affiliated groups and group purchasing organizations. We have developed and strive to maintain close relationships with 
members of each of these groups who assist in product research and development and advise us on how to satisfy the full 
range of surgeon and patient needs. We rely on these groups to recommend our products to their patients and to other 
members of their organizations. The failure of our existing products and any new products we may introduce to retain the 
support of these various groups could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. In addition, our interactions, communications, and financial relationships with these individuals and entities 
present potential healthcare compliance risks.

We are subject to government regulations which may cause us to delay or withdraw the introduction of new 

products or new applications for our products.

The medical devices that we market and manufacture are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and by foreign 
and state governments. Under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) and the related regulations, the FDA regulates the 
design, development, clinical testing, manufacture, labeling, sale, distribution and promotion of medical devices. Before a 
new device can be introduced into the market, the product must be shown to meet regulatory requirements established by the 
FDCA and implemented by the FDA. Unless otherwise exempt, a device manufacturer must obtain marketing “clearance” 
through the 510(k) premarket notification process, or “approval” through the lengthier premarket approval application 
(“PMA”) process. Not all devices are eligible for the 510(k) clearance process. Depending upon the type, complexity and 
novelty of the device and the nature of the disease or disorder to be treated, the FDA process can take several years, require 
extensive clinical testing and result in significant expenditures. Even if regulatory clearance or approval is obtained, later 
discovery of previously unknown safety issues may result in restrictions on the product, including withdrawal of the product 

22

from the market. Other countries also have extensive regulations regarding clinical trials and testing prior to new product 
introductions. Our failure to obtain government approvals or any delays in receipt of such approvals would have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The FDA imposes a broad range of additional requirements on medical device companies. Our products must be 

produced in compliance with the Quality System Regulation (“QSR”) and our manufacturing facilities are subject to 
establishment registration and device listing requirements from the FDA, and similar requirements from certain state 
authorities, and ongoing periodic inspections by the FDA, including unannounced inspections for compliance with applicable 
requirements. We are subject to monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations for medical device adverse events and 
malfunctions; notification of our products’ defects or failure to comply with the FDA’s laser regulations; and reporting of 
recalls, corrections, or removals of our products. The FDA also imposes requirements for the labeling of our products, and 
places limitations on claims we are permitted to make about our products in promotional labeling. The Federal Trade 
Commission has jurisdiction over the advertising of all of our products, which are non-restricted devices, and exercises 
oversight in coordination with the FDA.

Noncompliance with the applicable requirements can result in, among other things, regulatory citations (including “483 

Observations”) and Warning Letters, fines, injunctions, civil penalties, recall or seizure of products, total or partial 
suspension of production, withdrawal of marketing approvals, and criminal prosecution. The FDA also has the authority to 
request repair, replacement or refund of the cost of any device we manufacture or distribute. Any of these actions by the FDA 
would materially and adversely affect our ability to continue operating our business and the results of our operations. Such 
enforcement action can also result in negative publicity.

In addition, we are also subject to varying product standards, packaging requirements, labeling requirements, tariff 
regulations, duties and tax requirements. As a result of our sales in Europe, we are required to have all products “CE” marked, 
an international symbol affixed to all products demonstrating compliance with the European Medical Device Directive and 
all applicable standards. While currently all of our released products are CE marked, continued certification is based on the 
successful review of our quality system by our European Registrar during their annual audit. Any loss of certification would 
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. There are a number of major 
regulatory changes occurring in the regulation of medical devices in the EU. A new revision of the quality system regulation 
(ISO 13485:2016) has been released that substantially increases the requirements for a medical device quality system. The 
Medical Device Regulation (MDR) will replace the current medical device directive (93/42/EEC), and it substantially 
changes the way that medical devices are brought to market in the EU and how they maintain compliance throughout the 
product’s life cycle. Additionally, the new revision 4 of the clinical evaluation report guidance document (MEDDEV 2.7.1) 
severely restricts the use of substantial equivalence for new products, resulting in the need for formal clinical trial data for 
most new products. These changes will increase the cost for compliance and for product development, and they lengthen 
product introduction cycles. Failure to comply with these changes can have an adverse effect on our ability to release new 
products in a timely manner.

Any clinical trials that we may undertake for regulatory approval or marketing reasons will be an expensive, lengthy, 

costly, and uncertain process, and could result in delays in new product introductions or even an inability to release a 
product.

We may be required to undertake clinical trials to obtain regulatory approvals or may choose to undertake such trials 
for marketing or other reasons.  Clinical trials for products such as ours are complex and expensive and their outcomes are 
uncertain.  Any clinical trials that we may undertake would require the investment of significant financial and administrative 
resources.  Moreover, the results of clinical trials are uncertain, and inconclusive or negative results may not support, or may 
impair, the sale and adoption of our products. We may suffer significant setbacks in clinical trials, even after earlier clinical 
trials showed promising results. Any of our products could produce undesirable side effects that could cause us or regulatory 
authorities to interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials of a product candidate. We, the FDA, or another regulatory authority could 
suspend or terminate clinical trials at any time if they or we believed the trial participants faced unacceptable health risks.

If we fail to comply with the FDA’s quality system regulation and laser performance standards, our manufacturing 

operations could be halted, and our business would suffer.

We are currently required to demonstrate and maintain compliance with the FDA’s QSR. The QSR is a complex 
regulatory scheme that covers the methods and documentation of the design, testing, control, manufacturing, labeling, quality 
assurance, packaging, storage and shipping of our products. Because our products involve the use of lasers, our products also 
are covered by a performance standard for lasers set forth in FDA regulations. The laser performance standard imposes 
specific record-keeping, reporting, product testing and product labeling requirements. These requirements include affixing 
warning labels to laser products, as well as incorporating certain safety features in the design of laser products. The FDA 
enforces the QSR and laser performance standards through periodic unannounced inspections. We have been, and anticipate 
in the future being, subject to such inspections. Our failure to take satisfactory corrective action in response to an adverse 

23

QSR inspection or our failure to comply with applicable laser performance standards could result in enforcement actions, 
including a public warning letter, a shutdown of our manufacturing operations, a recall of our products, civil or criminal 
penalties, or other sanctions, which would cause our sales and business to suffer.

If we modify one of our FDA approved devices, we may need to submit a new 510(k), or potentially a PMA, and if 
clearance or approval is not obtained, it would prevent us from selling our modified products or cause us to redesign our 
products.

Any modifications to an FDA-cleared device that would significantly affect its safety or effectiveness or that would 

constitute a major change in its intended use would require a new 510(k) clearance or possibly a PMA. We may not be able 
to obtain additional 510(k) clearances or premarket approvals for new products or for modifications to, or additional 
indications for, our existing products in a timely fashion, or at all. Delays in obtaining future clearances would adversely 
affect our ability to introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner, which in turn would harm our revenues and 
future profitability. We have made modifications to our devices in the past and may make additional modifications in the 
future that we believe do not or will not require additional clearances or approvals. If the FDA disagrees, and requires new 
clearances or approvals for the modifications, we may be required to recall and to stop marketing the modified devices, which 
could harm our operating results and require us to redesign our products.

Our products may be misused, which could harm our reputation and our business.

We market and sell our products for use by highly skilled physicians with specialized training and experience in the 

treatment of eye-related disorders. We, and our distributors, generally offer but do not require purchasers or operators of our 
products to attend training sessions, nor do we supervise the procedures performed with our products. The physicians who 
operate our products are responsible for their use and the treatment regime for each individual patient. In addition, non-
physicians, particularly in countries outside of the United States, or poorly trained or inexperienced physicians, may make 
use of our products. Our efforts to market our MicroPulse systems as a Fovea-friendly alternative to traditional continuous 
wavelength systems or alternative treatment methods may result in users failing to implement adequate safety precautions 
and thereby increase the risks associated with the misuse of our product. The lack of training and the purchase and use of our 
products by non-physicians or poorly trained or inexperienced physicians may result in product misuse and adverse treatment 
outcomes, which could harm our reputation and expose us to costly product liability litigation, or otherwise cause our 
business to suffer.

Inability of customers to obtain credit or material increases in interest rates may harm our sales.

Some of our products are sold to health care providers in general practice. Many of these health care providers 
purchase our products with funds they secure through various financing arrangements with third-party financial institutions, 
including credit facilities and short-term loans. If availability of credit becomes more limited, or interest rates increase, these 
financing arrangements may be harder to obtain or become more expensive for our customers, which may decrease demand 
for our products. Any reduction in the sales of our products would cause our business to suffer.

Our products could be subject to recalls even after receiving FDA approval or clearance. A recall would harm our 

reputation and adversely affect our operating results.

The FDA and similar governmental authorities in other countries in which we market and sell our products have the 

authority to require the recall of our products in the event of material deficiencies or defects in the design or manufacture of 
our products, or in other cases we may determine that we will recall a product because we have determined that the product is 
violative, in order to avoid further enforcement action and protect the public health. 

On February 23, 2018, we initiated a voluntary recall of a specific laser accessory called the TruFocus LIO Premiere™ 

(“LIO”). The LIO is a headmounted indirect ophthalmoscopes that connects to our laser console and is used to view and 
perform retina laser treatment on a patient’s eye. There are 104 TruFocus LIO Premiere units at customer sites worldwide. 
We have received reports of three adverse events occurring during procedures in which the TruFocus LIO Premiere was used.  

A government mandated recall, or a voluntary recall by us, could occur as a result of actual or potential component 
failures, adverse event reports, manufacturing errors or design defects, including defects in labeling. Furthermore, we may 
from time to time initiate a recall of a component or set of components comprising a portion of our laser systems, which 
could increase customer returns, warranty claims and associated reserve levels. A recall could divert management’s attention, 
cause us to incur significant expenses, harm our reputation with customers, negatively affect our future sales and financial 
results.

24

If product liability claims are successfully asserted against us, we may incur substantial liabilities that may 

adversely affect our business or results of operations.

We may be subject to product liability claims from time to time. Our products are highly complex and some are used to 

treat extremely delicate eye tissue. We believe we maintain adequate levels of product liability insurance. However, product 
liability insurance is expensive and we might not be able to obtain product liability insurance in the future on acceptable 
terms or in sufficient amounts to protect us, if at all. A successful claim brought against us in excess of our insurance 
coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Efforts to acquire additional companies or product lines may divert our managerial resources away from our 

business operations, and if we complete additional acquisitions, we may incur or assume additional liabilities or 
experience integration problems.

Since 1989, we have completed six acquisitions. As part of our growth strategy, we seek to acquire businesses or 
product lines for various reasons, including adding new products, adding new customers, increasing penetration with existing 
customers, adding new manufacturing capabilities or expanding into new geographic markets. Our ability to successfully 
grow through acquisitions depends upon our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate suitable acquisitions and to 
obtain any necessary financings. These efforts could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our 
business operations. If we complete future acquisitions, we may also experience:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

difficulties integrating any acquired products into our existing business;

difficulties in integrating an acquired company’s technologies, services, employees, customers, partners, business 
operations and administrative and software management systems with ours;

delays in realizing the benefits of the acquired products;

diversion of our management’s time and attention from other business concerns;

adverse customer reaction to the product acquisition; and

increases in expenses.

Moreover, we cannot assure you that the anticipated benefits of any acquisition or investment would be realized or that 

we would not be exposed to unknown liabilities. In connection with these types of transactions, we may issue additional 
equity securities that would dilute the ownership interest of existing investors or the EPS, use cash that we may need in the 
future to operate our business, incur debt on terms unfavorable to us or that we are unable to repay, incur large charges or 
substantial liabilities, encounter difficulties integrating diverse business cultures and become subject to adverse tax 
consequences, substantial depreciation or deferred compensation charges. These challenges related to acquisitions or 
investments could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We are subject to federal, state and foreign laws governing our business practices which, if violated, could result in 
substantial penalties. Additionally, challenges to or investigation into our practices could cause adverse publicity and be 
costly to respond to and thus could harm our business.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires us to track and disclose the source of 

certain metals used in manufacturing which may stem from minerals (so called “conflict minerals”) which originate in the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining regions. These metals include tantalum, tin, gold and tungsten. These metals 
are central to the technology industry and are present in some of our products as component parts. In most cases no 
acceptable alternative material exists which has the necessary properties. It is not possible to determine the source of the 
metals by analysis but instead a good faith description of the source of the intermediate components and raw materials must 
be obtained. The components which incorporate those metals may originate from many sources and we purchase fabricated 
products from manufacturers who may have a long and difficult-to-trace supply chain. As the spot price of these materials 
varies, producers of the metal intermediates can be expected to change the mix of sources used, and components and 
assemblies which we buy may have a mix of sources as their origin. We are required to carry out a diligent effort to 
determine and disclose the source of these materials. There can be no assurance we can obtain this information from 
intermediate producers who are not willing or not able to provide this information or further identify their sources of supply 
or to notify us if these sources change. These metals are subject to price fluctuations and shortages which can affect our 
ability to obtain the manufactured materials we rely on at favorable terms or from consistent sources. These changes could 
have an adverse impact on our ability to manufacture and market our devices and products.

25

Changes in U.S. tax laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations or 

financial conditions.

Legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted in December 2017, and 

contains many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws, the consequences of which have not yet been 
determined. Changes in corporate tax rates, the realizability of the net deferred tax assets relating to our U.S. operations, the 
taxation of foreign earnings, and the deductibility of expenses contained in the Act or other tax reform legislation could have 
a material impact on the value of our deferred tax assets, could result in significant one-time charges in the current or future 
taxable years, and could increase our future U.S. tax expense. The foregoing items could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, cash flow, results of operations or financial conditions.

If we fail to comply with environmental requirements, our business, financial condition, operating results and 

reputation could be adversely affected.

Our products and operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, 

including those governing the use, storage, handling, exposure to, and disposal of hazardous materials and a large and 
growing body of international standards which govern the design, manufacture, materials content and sourcing, testing, 
certification, packaging, installation, use and disposal of our products. We must continually keep abreast of these standards 
and requirements and integrate compliance with these with the development and regulatory documentation for our products. 
Failure to meet these standards could limit the ability to market our products in those regions which require compliance to 
such standards or subject us to fines and penalties. Examples of such standards include laws governing the hazardous 
material content of our devices and products, such as the European Union (“EU”) Directive 2011/65/EU relating to 
Restrictions on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances “RoHS Directive, and the EU Directive 2012/19/EU on Waste 
Electrical and Electronic Equipment or “WEEE Directive”. Similar laws and regulations have been passed or are pending in 
several other jurisdictions and may be enacted in other regions, including in the United States, and we are, or may in the 
future be, subject to these laws and regulations.

Our failure to comply with past, present and future similar laws could result in reduced sales of our devices and 
products, inventory write-offs, reputational damage, penalties and other sanctions, any of which could harm our business and 
financial condition. We also expect that our devices and products will be affected by new environmental laws and regulations 
on an ongoing basis. New environmental laws and regulations will likely result in additional costs and may increase penalties 
associated with violations or require us to change the content of our devices and products or how they are manufactured, 
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Our Ownership of Our Common Stock

Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile and an investment in our common stock could suffer a 

decline in value.

The trading price of our common stock has been subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, some of 

which are beyond our control, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, quarterly variations in our operating 
results, announcements by us or our competitors of new products or of significant clinical achievements, changes in market 
valuations of other similar companies in our industry and general market conditions. During the fiscal year ended 
December 30, 2017, the trading price of our common stock fluctuated from a low of $7.62 per share to a high of $15.99 per 
share. During the fourth fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2017, the trading price of our common stock fluctuated from 
$7.62 per share to a high of $9.94 per share. There can be no assurance that our common stock trading price will not suffer 
declines. Our common stock may experience an imbalance between supply and demand resulting from low trading volumes 
and therefore broad market fluctuations could have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock regardless 
of our performance.

Future sales and issuances of securities could negatively affect our stock price and dilute the ownership interest of 

our existing investors.

Future sales or issuances of securities by us could decrease the value of our common stock, dilute stockholders’ voting 

power and reduce future potential earnings per share. To raise capital, we may sell common stock, convertible securities or 
other equity-linked securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from time to time. If we sell 
additional equity securities, the ownership interest of existing investors or the EPS may be materially diluted. Additionally, 
new investors could gain rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common stock. We may 
also issue debt securities, which may impose restrictive covenants on our operations or otherwise adversely affect the 
holdings or the rights of our stockholders.

Sales or issuances of a substantial amount of securities, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely 

affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. As of December 30, 2017, we had 11,596,274 shares of common stock 

26

outstanding, all of which were, and continue to be, eligible for sale in the public market, subject in some cases to compliance 
with the requirements of Rule 144, including the volume limitations and manner of sale requirements. Future resales of our 
common stock by our existing stockholders could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

As of December 30, 2017, holders of an aggregate of 982,742 shares of our common stock have rights, subject to some 

conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include their shares in registration 
statements that we may file for ourselves or our other stockholders. In addition, the shares of common stock subject to 
outstanding options and restricted stock units under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and the shares reserved for future 
issuance under the Incentive Plan may become eligible for sale in the public markets in the future, subject to certain legal and 
control limitations.

We may sell shares or other securities in any offering at a price per share that is less than the price per share paid by 

existing investors, and investors purchasing shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing 
stockholders. The price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock, or securities convertible or 
exchangeable into common stock, in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per share paid by existing 
investors.

Because we do not intend to pay dividends, stockholders will benefit from an investment in our common stock only if 

it appreciates in value.

We expect to retain any earnings for use to further develop our business, and do not expect to declare cash dividends on 

our common stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any such dividends in the future depends upon 
our earnings, financial condition, capital needs and other factors deemed relevant by the board of directors, and may be 
restricted by future agreements with lenders. In addition, our loan facility with Silicon Valley Bank restricts us from paying 
any dividends or making any other distribution or payment on account of our common stock. As a result, the benefit from an 
investment in our common stock will depend entirely upon any future appreciation. There is no guarantee that our common 
stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which stockholders have purchased their shares.

If securities or industry analysts do not continue to publish research or publish incorrect or unfavorable research 

about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry 
analysts publish about us, our market and our competitors. If no or few securities or industry analysts cover our Company, 
the trading price for our stock could be negatively impacted. If one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our 
stock or publishes incorrect or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price could decline. If one or more of these 
analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our stock could decrease, 
which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

Ownership of our common stock is concentrated among a few investors, which may affect the ability of a third party 

to acquire control of us. Substantial sales by such investors could cause our stock price to decline.

Our directors, executive officers, current five percent or greater stockholders and affiliated entities together beneficially 

own a significant portion of our common stock outstanding as of December 30, 2017. Having such a concentration of 
ownership may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from 
seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding common stock or control of our board of directors through a proxy 
solicitation.

Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, and our failure to raise capital when needed could prevent 

us from growing.

Our business and operations may consume resources faster than we anticipate. In the future, we may need to raise 
additional funds to invest in future growth opportunities. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at 
all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to invest in future growth opportunities, which 
could seriously harm our business and operating results.

As a public company, we are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial 
reporting. We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or these 
internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company 
and, as a result, the value of our common stock.

We are required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to furnish a report by management on, among 
other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment must include disclosure of any 
material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. We may experience 
difficulty in meeting these reporting requirements in a timely manner, particularly if material weaknesses or significant 

27

deficiencies were to persist. We are an accelerated filer and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to 
formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 as defined in the 
Exchange Act. If we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, the market price of our 
stock could decline and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the NASDAQ Stock Market, the SEC or other 
regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.

Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls, or any difficulties encountered in their implementation or 
improvement, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Any failure to implement 
and maintain effective internal controls also could adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations regarding 
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures or internal 
control over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other information, 
which could likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific compliance training of our 

directors, officers and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing accounting systems, and take a 
significant period of time to complete. Such changes may not, however, be effective in maintaining the adequacy of our 
internal controls, and any failure to maintain that adequacy, or consequent inability to produce accurate financial statements 
on a timely basis, could increase our operating costs and could materially impair our ability to operate our business. In the 
event that we are not able to demonstrate compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner, that 
our internal controls are perceived as inadequate or that we are unable to produce timely or accurate financial statements, 
investors may lose confidence in our operating results and our stock price could decline.

Our charter documents, anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law, and contractual provisions could delay or prevent 

an acquisition or sale of our company.

Our certificate of incorporation empowers the board of directors to establish and issue a class of preferred stock, and to 
determine the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock. These provisions give the board of directors the ability 
to deter, discourage or make more difficult a change in control of our company, even if such a change in control could be 
deemed in the interest of our stockholders or if such a change in control would provide our stockholders with a substantial 
premium for their shares over the then-prevailing market price for the common stock. Our certificate of incorporation and 
bylaws contain other provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect, including the following:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of our board of directors;

only our board of directors is authorized to fill vacant directorships, including newly created seats;

special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by our board of directors or by a committee of our board 
of directors, thus prohibiting a stockholder from calling a special meeting;

stockholders must give advance notice to nominate directors or propose other business; and

stockholders are not permitted to cumulate votes in the election of directors.

In addition, we are generally subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General 

Corporation Law, which regulates corporate acquisitions. These provisions could discourage potential acquisition proposals 
and could delay or prevent a change in control transaction. They could also have the effect of discouraging others from 
making tender offers for our common stock or prevent changes in our management.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

Item 2. Properties 

We lease a 37,166 square feet facility in Mountain View, California pursuant to a lease that is scheduled to expire in 

February 2022. 

This facility is being substantially utilized for all of our manufacturing, research and development efforts and also 

serves as our corporate headquarters. Management believes that these facilities are adequate for our current needs and that 
suitable additional space or an alternative space would be available as needed in the future on commercially reasonable terms.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings 

In January 2018, we filed a lawsuit against Quantel Medical, S.A., Quantel USA, Inc., and Quantel, S.A. (collectively, 

“Quantel”) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  The lawsuit alleges that Quantel products 
infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,771,417, that Quantel breached an earlier agreement between Quantel and the Company, and that 

28

Quantel has infringed upon the Company’s MicroPulse® trademark, Registration No. 4550188 on the principal register. 
Quantel previously had a limited license to the asserted Company patent and trademark.  Our complaint filed in connection 
with this matter asserts that the license was terminated in early 2017 for material breach, but that Quantel continued to use 
our intellectual property without authorization.

In addition, from time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. 
Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently believe that the final outcome of 
these ordinary course matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or 
cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, 
diversion of management resources and other factors.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable. 

29

PART II 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities 

Market Information for Common Equity 

Our common stock is currently, and since our initial public offering on February 15, 1996, has been quoted on the 
NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “IRIX”. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low 
sales prices for our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market. 

Fiscal 2017
Fourth Quarter
Third Quarter
Second Quarter
First Quarter
Fiscal 2016
Fourth Quarter
Third Quarter
Second Quarter
First Quarter

High

Low

 $
 $
 $
 $

 $
 $
 $
 $

9.94 
10.25 
11.52 
15.99 

16.26 
16.39 
15.51 
10.70 

 $
 $
 $
 $

 $
 $
 $
 $

7.62 
8.19 
8.95 
11.87 

12.58 
13.52 
10.02 
8.80  

On March 1, 2018, the closing price on the NASDAQ Global Market for our common stock was $5.72 per share. As of 

March 1, 2018, there were approximately 40 holders of record (not in street name) of our common stock. Because many of 
our shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of our stockholders, we are unable to 
estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders. 

Dividend Policy 

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain any earnings for use in our 

business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. 

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total return on our Common Stock during the last five fiscal years with 
the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Medical Equipment Index during the same period. The graph shows the 
value, at the end of each of the last five fiscal years, of $100 invested in the Common Stock or the indices on December 29, 
2012. The graph depicts the change in value of our Common Stock relative to the noted indices as of the end of each fiscal 
year and not for any interim period. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price 
performance.

12/29/12   12/28/13  

1/3/15

1/2/16

  12/31/16   12/30/17  

IRIDEX Corporation
NASDAQ Composite
NASDAQ Medical Equipment

  100.00     257.18     228.99     247.07     373.94     202.66  
  100.00     141.63     162.09     173.33     187.19     242.29  
  100.00     118.21     139.19     155.48     164.37     232.47  

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Sales of Unregistered Securities 

None.

Use of Proceeds 

On January 3, 2017, we issued an additional 172,500 new common shares in connection with the underwriters 
exercising their overallotment option at $14.00 per share, before underwriting discount and commissions. The issuance of 
stock pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option generated net proceeds to us of approximately $2.3 million, after 
deducting underwriting commissions of $0.1 million. The offer and sale of all of the shares in the public offering was 
registered under the Securities Act pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333- 213094). Roth Capital 
Partners, LLC acted as the underwriter. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds as described in our 
final prospectus filed with the SEC on December 9, 2016 pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act. We invested the 
funds received in registered money market funds.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 

Not applicable. 

31

Item 6. Selected Financial Data 

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7 “Management’s 

Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the 
related notes appearing in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. 

The consolidated statements of income data for the years ended January 2, 2016, December 31, 2016 and December 30, 

2017 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and December 30, 2017 are derived from our audited 
consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 8 of this report. The consolidated statements of income data for the years 
ended December 28, 2013 and January 3, 2015 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 28, 2013, January 3, 
2015 and January 2, 2016 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this report. 
The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period. 

Selected income statement data:

(iu thousands)

Total revenues
(Loss) income from 
operations
(Loss) income per share - 
Basic
(Loss) income per share - 
Diluted

Selected balance sheet data:

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

Year Ended  
December 28, 
2013

  Year Ended  
January 3, 
2015

  Year Ended  
January 2, 
2016

  Year Ended  
December 31, 
2016

  Year Ended  
December 30, 
2017

38,273    
2,633    

42,814    
2,587    

41,757    
288    

46,158    
(2,565)   

41,593 
(12,888)

0.24    

1.01    

0.05    

(1.15)   

(1.11)

0.22    

0.97    

0.05    

(1.15)   

(1.11)

(iu thousands)

FY 2013
December 28, 
2013

FY 2014
January 3, 
2015

FY 2015
January 2, 
2016

FY 2016
December 31, 
2016

FY 2017
December 30, 
2017

Total assets

33,677     

41,818     

41,823     

48,144     

41,646 

Total long term 
liabilities

Total shareholders' 
equity

461     

1,043     

704     

816     

732 

25,854     

33,736     

33,688     

39,160     

30,522  

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Overview 

IRIDEX Corporation is an ophthalmic medical technology company focused on the development and 

commercialization of breakthrough products and procedures used to treat sight-threatening eye conditions, including 
glaucoma and retinal diseases. Certain of our laser products are powered by our proprietary MicroPulse technology, which is 
a method of delivering laser energy using a mode which chops the continuous wave laser beam into short, microsecond-long 
laser pulses. Our products consist of laser consoles, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation, including laser probes. 

Our laser consoles consist of the following product lines:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Glaucoma – This product line includes our recently introduced Cyclo G6 laser system used for the treatment of 
glaucoma;

Medical Retina – Our medical retina product line includes our IQ 532 and IQ 577 laser photocoagulation 
systems, which are used for the treatment of diabetic macular edema and other retinal diseases; and

Surgical Retina – Our surgical retina line of products includes our OcuLight TX, OcuLight SL, OcuLight SLx, 
OcuLight GL and OcuLight GLx laser photocoagulation systems. These systems are often used in vitrectomy 

32

 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
      
      
      
      
  
 
 
 
      
      
      
      
  
 
procedures, which are used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, retinal tears and 
detachments.

Our business generates recurring revenues through sales of consumable products, predominantly single-use laser probe 
devices and other instrumentation, as well as repair, servicing and extended service contracts for our laser systems. Our laser 
probes consist of the following product lines:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Glaucoma – Probes used in our glaucoma product line include our recently patented MicroPulse P3 (“MP3”) 
probe and G-Probe; and

Surgical Retina – Our surgical retina probes include our EndoProbe family of products used in vitrectomy 
procedures.

Ophthalmologists typically use our laser systems in hospital ORs and ambulatory surgical centers (“ASCs”), as well as 

their offices and clinics. In the ORs and ASCs, ophthalmologists use our laser systems with either an indirect laser 
ophthalmoscope or a consumable, single use MP3 probe, G-Probe or EndoProbe. 

Our products are sold in the United States, predominantly through a direct sales force, and internationally, through 

independent distributors.  Total revenues in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $41.6 million, $46.2 million and $41.8 million, 
respectively. We generated net (loss) income of $(12.9) million, $(11.7) million and $0.5 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively. 

Sales to international distributors are made on open credit terms or letters of credit and are currently denominated in 
U.S. dollars and accordingly, are not subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations. However, increases in the value of 
the U.S. dollar against any local currencies could cause our products to become relatively more expensive to customers in a 
particular country or region, leading to reduced revenue or profitability in that country or region.

Cost of revenues consists primarily of the cost of components and sub-systems, assembling, packaging, shipping and 

testing components at our facility, direct labor and associated overhead, warranty, royalty and amortization of intangible 
assets and depot service costs.

Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, materials to support new product 

development and research support provided to clinicians at medical institutions developing new applications which utilize 
our products and regulatory expenses. Research and development costs have been expensed as incurred. 

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of costs of personnel, sales commissions, travel expenses, advertising 

and promotional expenses. 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of costs of personnel, legal, accounting and other public 

company costs, insurance and other expenses not allocated to other departments.

Results of Operations - 2017, 2016 and 2015

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal 2017 ended on December 30, 2017, fiscal 2016 

ended on December 31, 2016 and fiscal 2015 ended on January 2, 2016. Fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 each included 52 
weeks of operations.  

33

The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated. 

Percentage of Revenue
Years Ended
  FY 2016

  FY 2017
December 30, 
2017

  FY 2015

December 
31, 2016

January 2, 
2016

Revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross margin
Operating expenses:
Research and development
Sales and marketing
General and administrative
Gain on sale of intellectual property
Impairment of long-lived assets
Total operating expenses
(Loss) income from operations
Other (expense) income, net
(Loss) income from operations before (benefit from) 
provision for income taxes
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
Net (loss) income

100.0%   
62.7%   
37.3%   

100.0%   
54.9%   
45.1%   

100.0%
52.2%
47.8%

13.8%   
35.0%   
19.9%   
(0.4%)  
0.1%   
68.3%   
(31.0%)  
(0.3%)  

(31.2%)  
(0.3%)  
(30.9%)  

11.6%   
22.3%   
16.5%   
0.0%   
0.3%   
50.7%   
(5.6%)  
(0.2%)  

(5.8%)  
19.6%   
(25.4%)  

12.5%
21.3%
13.3%
0.0%
0.0%
47.1%
0.7%
0.0%

0.7%
(0.4%)
1.1%

Comparison of 2017 and 2016 

Revenues. 

Our total revenues decreased $4.6 million or 10.0% from $46.2 million in 2016 to $41.6 million in 2017. The decrease 
was due primarily from a decrease in our domestic systems revenues, international systems revenues, and recurring revenues 
of $2.3 million, $2.0 million and $0.3 million respectively. The decrease in domestic systems revenues was primarily due to a 
decrease in sales of our retina products and an increase in our sales return reserve related to our voluntary recall of 104 
TruFocus LIO Premiere™ laser indirect ophthalmoscopes (“LIO”).  For further information about the LIO recall, see 
footnote 17 “Subsequent Events” of Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. The decrease in 
international systems revenues was primarily due to a decrease in sales of our retina products.  The decrease in recurring 
revenues was due to a decrease in sales of our legacy probes that was partially offset by an increase in our G6 related probes.

In 2017 we implemented the Laser Advantage Program (“LAP”) that some of our domestic customers have utilized.   
Under the LAP, we ship a G6 laser along with an initial purchase of G6 probes and an agreement to purchase additional G6 
probes.  Ownership on the console is transferred to the customer after they purchase the additional required number of probes 
on or before the end of a specified period. As title on the console does not transfer until the earlier of when the additional 
required probes are purchased or at the end of the term, in accordance with the multiple element arrangement guidance under 
ASC 605, the Company has determined that revenue from LAP sales of G6 lasers should be recognized only when that 
uncertainty is resolved and title of the console passes to the customers.

 (in millions)
Systems – domestic
Systems – international
Recurring revenues
Total revenues

FY 2017

FY 2016

Change in $

Change in %  

  $

  $

8.0    $
11.7     
21.9     
41.6    $

10.3    $
13.7     
22.2     
46.2    $

(2.3)   
(2.0)   
(0.3)   
(4.6)   

(22.3%)
(14.6%)
(1.4%)
(10.0%)

Gross Profit. 

Gross profit was $15.5 million in 2017 compared with $20.8 million in 2016, a decrease of $5.3 million or 25.5%. 

Gross margin, which is defined as gross profit as a percentage of revenues, was 37.3% in 2017 compared with 45.1% in 

2016, a decrease of 7.8 percentage points. Gross margin decreased primarily due to additional costs related to our LIO 
product recall, unfavorable product and geographic mix changes, lower selling price for our retina products, and an increase 
in manufacturing variances.

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
Gross margins are expected to continue to fluctuate due to changes in the relative proportions of domestic and 
international sales, the product mix of sales, manufacturing variances, total unit volume changes that lead to greater or lesser 
production efficiencies, sales return and a variety of other factors. 

Research and Development. 

R&D expenses increased $0.4 million or 6.8% from $5.4 million in 2016 to $5.7 million in 2017. The increase was 

attributable primarily to an increase in non-cash stock compensation and an increase in patent expenses.

Sales and Marketing. 

Sales and marketing expenses increased $4.3 million or 41.4%, from $10.3 million in 2016 to $14.5 million in 2017. 

The increase was attributable primarily to an increase in headcount and associated costs, an increase in commission expense, 
an increase in trade shows, as well as an increase in other general selling and marketing expenses. 

General and Administrative. 

General and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million or 8.1%, from $7.6 million in 2016 to $8.3 million in 2017. 

The increase in spending was attributable primarily to an increase in headcount and associated costs, an increase in 
accounting, audit and tax expenses, and an increase in other public company reporting and compliance expenses, partially 
offset by a decrease in severance costs and legal expense. The increase in our accounting, audit and tax, and other public 
company reporting and compliance expenses was due primarily to our change during 2016 in filing status from a smaller 
reporting company to an accelerated filer.

Gain on sale of intellectual property

During 2017, we recognized a $0.2 million gain on sale of intellectual property which was written off in 2016.

Other (Expense) Income. 

Other expense totaled $0.1 million in 2017 and was attributable primarily to an increase in the fair value re-

measurement of the contingent earn-out liabilities of the RetinalLab acquisition, partially offset by interest income.

Income Taxes. 

We recorded a benefit for income taxes of $(0.1) million for the year ended December 30, 2017 compared to a 
provision for income taxes of $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The effective tax rate for the year ended 
December 30, 2017 was 0.96% compared to an effective tax rate of (341)% for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our 
effective tax rate in 2016 is mainly due to the change in valuation allowance. The income tax valuation allowance was $12.3 
million at the end of 2017 compared to $11.1 million at the end of 2016.

Comparison of 2016 and 2015 

Revenues. 

Our total revenues increased $4.4 million or 10.5% from $41.8 million in 2015 to $46.2 million in 2016. The increase 

was due primarily to an increase in our international system sales and to a lesser extent, our domestic system sales. This 
increase in our system sales was due to an increase in sales of G6 lasers, which was partially offset by a decrease in sales of 
our retina products, mainly in the United States. Our recurring revenues also increased, mainly due to the increase in sales of 
our G6 related probes, partially offset by a decrease in sales of our legacy probes. 

 (in millions)
Systems – domestic
Systems – international
Recurring revenues
Total revenues

Gross Profit. 

FY 2016

FY 2015

  $

  $

10.3    $
13.7     
22.2     
46.2    $

    Change in $     Change in %  
0.1     
2.1     
2.2     
4.4     

1.0%
18.1%
11.0%
10.5%

10.2    $
11.6     
20.0     
41.8    $

Gross profit was $20.8 million in 2016 compared with $20.0 million in 2015, an increase of $0.9 million or 4.4%. 
Gross margin, which is defined as gross profit as a percentage of revenues, was 45.1% in 2016 compared with 47.8% in 2015, 
a decrease of 2.7 percentage points. The decrease in gross margin was attributable primarily to an unfavorable shift in 
geographic mix; our international sales, which are lower margin sales, increased more quickly than our domestic sales. We 
also continued to experience price compression on our international sales due to the strength of the US dollar.

35

 
 
   
   
   
Research and Development. 

R&D expenses increased $0.2 million or 2.9% from $5.2 million in 2015 to $5.4 million in 2016. The increase in 

spending was attributable primarily to an increase in investments in headcount and associated costs. The increase in 
headcount reflects our continuing investment in enhancements of existing products as well as development associated with 
bringing new products to market.

Sales and Marketing. 

Sales and marketing expenses increased $1.4 million or 15.5%, from $8.9 million in 2015 to $10.3 million in 2016. The 

increase was attributable primarily to an increase in headcount and associated costs, an increase in commission expense, an 
increase in trade shows, as well as an increase in other general selling and marketing expenses to support growth in revenues. 

General and Administrative.

General and administrative expenses increased $2.1 million or 37.6%, from $5.6 million in 2015 to $7.6 million in 
2016. The increase in spending was attributable primarily to an increase in severance costs, an increase in non-cash stock-
based compensation charges, an increase in bonus and profit sharing, an increase in consulting and temporary employees, an 
increase in legal expenses, an increase in audit and tax expenses, and an increase in public company expenses. We expected 
an increase in our audit and tax expenses, as well as other public company expenses, as a result of the change in our filing 
status from a smaller reporting company to an accelerated filer. 

Impairment of long-lived assets. 

Impairment of intangible assets, which increased $0.1 million in 2016 compared to 2015, was attributable primarily to 

the impairment of Ocunetics assets.

Other (Expense) Income. 

Other expense totaled $0.1 million in 2016 and was attributable to an increase in the fair value re-measurement of the 

contingent earn-out liabilities of the RetinaLabs acquisition.

Income Taxes. 

Based on our fiscal year 2015 performance and our forecast of future losses, it was more likely than not that we would 
not realize our deferred tax assets. Therefore we recorded a full valuation allowance against all of our deferred tax assets. We 
recorded a provision for income taxes of $9.1 million in 2016 compared to a benefit from income taxes of $0.2 million in 
2015, which was attributed primarily to the establishment of a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset.

36

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Liquidity is our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our obligations and 

commitments. In addition, liquidity includes the ability to obtain appropriate financing or to raise capital.

Comparison of 2017 and 2016 

As of December 30, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of $21.7 million, no debt and working capital of $29.1 
million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $23.7 million, no debt and working capital of $37.7 million as of December 
31, 2016. 

During 2017, net cash of $3.6 million was used in operating activities, primarily from our net loss of $12.9 million, 

partially offset by a change in operating assets and liabilities which generated $6.4 million net cash and the add back of non-
cash items of $2.9 million. The $6.4 million generated by the change in operating assets and liabilities was a result primarily 
of a decrease in accounts receivable of $2.2 million, a decrease in inventory of $2.1 million, an increase in accrued warranty 
of $1.1 million and an increase in deferred revenue of $1.1 million. The add back of non-cash items consisted mainly of a 
decrease in stock-based compensation of $1.9 million and depreciation and amortization of $0.9 million. We used $0.8 
million net cash in investing activities, primarily due to $0.6 million on capital expenditures and $0.4 million to pay a 
contingent earn-out liability arising from our past acquisition, partially offset by net proceeds received from the sale of an 
intellectual property of $0.2 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.3 million, which consisted of $2.3 
million net proceeds arising from the issuance of common stock and $0.4 million from exercises of stock options, partially 
offset by $0.3 million to pay for payroll taxes related to net shares settlement of equity awards.  

In December 2016 and January 2017, we completed a registered public offering of 1,332,500 shares of our common 

stock for net proceeds of $17.1 million after deducting related legal and equity expenses underwriting discounts and 
commissions of approximately $1.4 million. The 1,332,500 shares include the exercise in full by the underwriters of their 
option to purchase an additional 172,500 shares of our common stock. 

We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs over the next 12 

months.

Comparison of 2016 and 2015 

As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23.7 million, no debt and working capital of $37.7 
million compared to cash and cash equivalents of $10.0 million, no debt and working capital of $23.3 million as of January 2, 
2016. 

During 2016, net cash of $0.1 million was used in operating activities, primarily from our net loss of $11.7 million, and 

operating assets and liabilities consumed $0.2 million net cash, primarily from an increase in accounts receivable of $0.9 
million, an increase in inventory of $0.5 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $0.2 million, partially offset by an 
increase in accrued compensation of $0.8 million, an increase in accrued expenses of $0.5 million and a net change in other 
operating assets and liabilities of $0.1 million. This was partially offset by the add back of the following non-cash items - 
decrease in deferred income taxes of $9.0 million, stock-based compensation of $1.8 million, depreciation and amortization 
of $0.6 million and other non-cash items of $0.3 million. We used $1.5 million net cash in investing activities, $1.1 million 
on capital expenditures and $0.4 million to pay a contingent earn-out liability arising from our past acquisitions. Net cash 
provided by financing activities was $15.4 million, which consisted of $14.8 million net proceeds arising from the issuance 
of common stock and $0.7 million from exercises of stock options, partially offset by $0.1 million to pay for payroll taxes 
related to net shares settlement of equity awards and $0.1 million to purchase stock under our stock repurchase program.

37

Contractual Payment Obligations 

As of December 30, 2017, our contractual payment obligations that were fixed and determinable to third parties for 
non-cancelable operating leases, contract manufacturers and other purchase commitments were as follows (in thousands): 

Operating leases payments (1)
Commitments to contract manufacturers and 
suppliers
Total contractual cash obligations

Total

<1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

  $

5,687    $

1,098    $

4,285    $

304    $

12,445     
18,132    $

5,736     
6,834    $

6,709     
10,994    $

  $

—     
304    $

More than 5 
years

— 

— 
—  

(1) Operating leases primarily relate to leases of office space with terms expiring through February, 2022.

Critical Accounting Policies 

Revenue Recognition.

Our revenues arise from the sale of laser consoles, delivery devices, consumables and service and support activities. 

Revenue from product sales is recognized upon receipt of a purchase order and product shipment provided that no significant 
obligations remain and collectibility is reasonably assured. Shipments are generally made with Free-On-Board (“FOB”) 
shipping point terms, whereby title passes upon shipment from our dock. Any shipments with FOB receiving point terms are 
recorded as revenue when the shipment arrives at the receiving point. Cost is recognized as product sales revenue is 
recognized. The Company’s sales may include post-sales obligations for training or other deliverables. For revenue 
arrangements such as these, we recognize revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, 
“Revenue Recognition, Multiple-Element Arrangements”. The Company allocates revenue among deliverables in multiple-
element arrangements using the relative selling price method. Revenue allocated to each element is recognized when the 
basic revenue recognition criteria is met for each element. The Company is required to apply a hierarchy to determine the 
selling price to be used for allocating revenue to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price 
(“VSOE”), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“ESP”). In general, 
the Company is unable to establish VSOE or TPE for all of the elements in the arrangement; therefore, revenue is allocated to 
these elements based on the Company’s ESP, which the Company determines after considering multiple factors such as 
management approved pricing guidelines, geographic differences, market conditions, competitor pricing strategies, internal 
costs and gross margin objectives. These factors may vary over time depending upon the unique facts and circumstances 
related to each deliverable. As a result, the Company’s ESP for products and services could change. Revenues for post-sales 
obligations are recognized as the obligations are fulfilled.

In 2017 we implemented LAP that some of our domestic customers have utilized.   Under the LAP, we ship a G6 laser 
along with an initial purchase of G6 probes and an agreement to purchase additional G6 probes.  Ownership on the console is 
transferred to the customer after they purchase the additional required number of probes on or before the end of a specified 
period. As title on the console does not transfer until the earlier of when the additional required probes are purchased or at the 
end of the term, in accordance with the multiple element arrangement guidance under ASC 605, the Company has determined 
that revenue from LAP sales of G6 lasers should be recognized only when that uncertainty is resolved and title of the console 
passes to the customers.

In international regions, we utilize distributors to market and sell our products. We recognize revenue upon shipment 

for sales to these independent, third-party distributors as we have no continuing obligations subsequent to shipment. 
Generally our distributors are responsible for all marketing, sales, installation, training and warranty labor coverage for our 
products. Our standard terms and conditions do not provide price protection or stock retention rights to any of our distributors.

Royalty revenues are typically based on licensees’ net sales of products that utilize our technology and are recognized 
as earned in accordance with the contract terms when royalties from licensees can be reliably measured and collectibility is 
reasonably assured, such as upon the earlier of the receipt of a royalty statement from the licensee or upon payment by the 
licensee.

Inventories. 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include on-hand inventory physically held at our facility, sales 
demo inventory and service loaner inventory. Cost is determined on a standard cost basis which approximates actual cost on a 
first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Lower of cost or market is evaluated by considering obsolescence, excessive levels of 
inventory, deterioration and other factors. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value, if required, 
are made for estimated excess, obsolete or impaired inventory and are charged to cost of revenues. Once the cost of the 
inventory is reduced, a new lower-cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and 

38

 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
   
circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Factors influencing these 
adjustments include changes in demand, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, 
physical deterioration and quality issues. Revisions to these adjustments would be required if these factors differ from our 
estimates. 

Sales Returns Allowance and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.

We estimate future product returns related to current period product revenue. We analyze historical returns, and 
changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns allowance. 
Significant management judgment and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns 
allowance in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if 
management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Our provision for sales returns is recorded net of the 
associated costs. The balance for the provision of sales returns have not historically been material. 

Similarly management must make estimates regarding the uncollectibility of accounts receivable. We are exposed to 
credit risk in the event of non-payment by customers to the extent of amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. 
As sales increase the level of accounts receivable would likely also increase. In addition, in the event that customers were to 
delay their payments to us, the levels of accounts receivable would likely also increase. We maintain allowances for doubtful 
accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The allowance for 
doubtful accounts is based on past payment history with the customer, analysis of the customer’s current financial condition, 
the aging of the accounts receivable balance, customer concentration and other known factors. 

Warranty.

We provide reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized based on historical 
experience of known product failure rates and expected material and labor costs to provide warranty services. We generally 
provide a two-year warranty on our products. Additionally, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if 
unforeseen technical problems arise. Alternatively, if estimates are determined to be greater than the actual amounts 
necessary, we may reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods. Actual warranty costs incurred have not materially 
differed from those accrued. Our warranty policy is applicable to products which are considered defective in their 
performance or fail to meet the product specifications. Warranty costs are reflected in the consolidated statements of 
operations as cost of revenues. 

Income Taxes. 

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred 

tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and 
tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Under ASC 740, the liability method is used in accounting for income taxes. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of 
assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are 
expected to reverse. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely 
than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We annually evaluate the realizability of our deferred 
tax assets by assessing our valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used 
to assess the likelihood of realization include our forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that 
could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. In 2014, we released the valuation allowance against most of our 
deferred tax assets except that we retained a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets associated with our California 
research and development credit (“CA R&D credit”). In 2016, based on the Company's recent history of earnings and its 
forecasted losses, management believes on the more likely than not basis that a full valuation allowance is required. 
Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016, the Company provided a full valuation allowance on its federal and 
states deferred tax assets.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. 

We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice 

associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a 
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax provision 
that an entity takes or expects to take in a tax return. Additionally, ASC 740 provides guidance on de-recognition, 
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. Under ASC 740, an entity may 
only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more-likely-than-not" threshold. In accordance with our 
accounting policy, we recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income 
tax expense. There was no accrued interest and penalties during the year ended December 30, 2017. 

39

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. 

We account for stock-based compensation granted to employees and directors, including employees’ stock option 

awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units at grant date, based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based 
compensation is recognized as expense on a ratable basis over the requisite service period of the award. 

We value options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Restricted stock and time-based restricted stock units 
are valued at the grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. Performance-based restricted stock units are valued 
using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the use of highly subjective and 
complex assumptions which determine the fair value of share-based awards, including the option’s expected term and the 
price volatility of the underlying stock. The Monte Carlo simulation model incorporates assumptions for the holding period, 
risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility and dividend yield. 

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards 

In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of accounting principles generally accepted in 

the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606).” The new guidance sets forth a new five-step revenue recognition model which replaces the prior 
revenue recognition guidance in its entirety and is intended to eliminate numerous industry-specific pieces of revenue 
recognition guidance that have historically existed in U.S. GAAP. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a 
business or other organization will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an 
amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed 
disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in the prior accounting 
guidance. The ASU provides alternative methods of initial adoption and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning 
after December 15, 2017. The FASB has issued several updates to the standard which i) defer the original effective date from 
January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017 (ASU 2015-14); ii) clarify the 
application of the principal versus agent guidance (ASU  2016-08); iii) clarify the guidance on inconsequential and 
perfunctory promises and licensing (ASU 2016-10); and (iv) clarify the guidance on certain sections of the guidance 
providing technical corrections and improvements (ASU 2016-10). In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”, to address certain 
narrow aspects of the guidance including collectibility criterion, collection of sales taxes from customers, noncash 
consideration, contract modifications and completed contracts. This issuance does not change the core principle of the 
guidance in the initial topic issued in May 2014. We will be adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. 
The adoption of this standard in fiscal year 2018 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial 
statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” Under this ASU, inventory 

will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be 
eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less 
reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current 
guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 
2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of this standard in fiscal year 2017 
did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," amending ASC 842. This ASU requires us to recognize 
on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms of more than twelve 
months. This ASU also requires disclosures enabling the users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing and 
uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new standard will become effective for annual periods beginning after 
December 15, 2018 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted as of the 
beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our 
consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” 

as part of its simplification initiative, which involves several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, 
including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the 
statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods 
within those annual periods. Prior to ASU 2016-09, tax benefits in excess of compensation cost (“windfalls”) were recorded 
in equity, and tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”) were recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls, and then to the 
income statement. While the simplification reduces some of the administrative complexities by eliminating the need to track 
a “windfall pool,” it increases the volatility of income tax expense. The ASU also removes the requirement to delay 
recognition of a windfall tax benefit until it reduces current taxes payable. Under the new guidance, the benefit is recorded 

40

when it arises, subject to normal valuation allowance considerations. Under the new guidance, entities are permitted to make 
an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. 
Forfeitures can be estimated or recognized when they occur. Estimates of forfeitures are still required in certain 
circumstances, such as at the time of modification of an award or issuance of a replacement award in a business combination. 
As of January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on a modified retrospective basis for the income statement 
impact of forfeitures and income taxes. Accordingly, the Company did not change forfeiture method as of January 1, 2017, 
therefore, there was no retained earnings impact.  As of January 1, 2017, the Company also recognized an excess windfall, 
net of operating loss carryforwards that were converted into deferred tax net operating losses, of $1.39 million, with a 
corresponding increase in valuation allowance of $1.39 million.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash 
Receipts and Cash Payments". The amendment gives guidance and reduces diversity in practice with respect to certain types 
of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those 
fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in 
an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. 
An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are currently evaluating the 
impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, to ASC 740 "Income Taxes," which simplifies the recording of an 

inter-entity transfer of assets other than inventory. The new guidance requires that a company recognize the income tax 
consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The new guidance becomes 
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and must be applied using a modified retrospective 
basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the adoption period. The 
Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements and the timing of adoption.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of 

Modification Accounting”. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 include guidance on determining which changes to the terms 
and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. These 
amendments require the entity to account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following conditions are met: the 
fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is 
the same as the fair value (or value using an alternative measurement method) of the original award immediately before the 
original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses 
to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification; the vesting 
conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original 
award is modified; and the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as 
the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. This guidance is effective for 
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with 
early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial 
statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements. 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to 

adverse changes in financial and commodity market prices and rates. None of our international revenues and costs for the 
fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 have been denominated in foreign currencies and therefore changes in foreign currency 
rates will not have an impact on our income statement or cash flows. However, increases in the value of the U.S. dollar 
against any local currencies could cause our products to become relatively more expensive to customers in a particular 
country or region, leading to reduced revenue or profitability in that country or region. As we continue to expand our 
international sales, our non-U.S. dollar denominated revenue and our exposure to gains and losses on international currency 
transactions may increase. We currently do not engage in transactions to hedge against the risk of the currency fluctuation, 
but we may do so in the future.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 

Our consolidated balance sheets as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and the consolidated statements of 

operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of our fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 
together with the related notes and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm, are on the following 
pages. Additional required financial information is described in Item 15. 

41

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of IRIDEX Corporation

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IRIDEX Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and 
its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements 
of  operations,  comprehensive  income  (loss),  stockholders’  equity,  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period 
ended December 30, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our 
opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as 
of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended December 30, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States)  (PCAOB),  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  30,  2017,  based  on  criteria 
established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 14, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm 
registered  with  the  PCAOB  and  are  required  to  be  independent  with  respect  to  the  Company  in  accordance  with  the  U.S. 
federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and 
perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  consolidated  financial  statements  are  free  of  material 
misstatement,  whether  due  to  error  or  fraud.  Our  audits  included  performing  procedures  to  assess  the  risks  of  material 
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond 
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the 
consolidated  financial  statements.  Our  audits  also  included  evaluating  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant 
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We 
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ BPM LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.

San Jose, California

March 14, 2018

42

IRIDEX Corporation 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(in thousands, except share and per share data) 

FY 2017
December 30, 2017

FY 2016
December 31, 2016

Current assets:

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$226 as of December 30, 2017 and $230 as of December 31, 2016
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other long-term assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued expenses
Accrued warranty
Deferred revenue
Total current liabilities
Long-term liabilities:
      Accrued warranty

Other long-term liabilities

Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, no shares 
issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value:

Authorized: 30,000,000 shares;
Issued and outstanding 11,596,274 and 11,304,736 shares
as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $

21,707    $

7,863   
9,381   
500   
39,451   
1,403   
116   
533   
143   
41,646    $

1,724    $
2,459   
2,153   
1,536   
2,520   
10,392   

199   
533   
11,124   

-   

126   
59,385   
(28,989)  
30,522   
41,646    $

  $

  $

  $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

23,747 

10,025 
11,643 
450 
45,865 
1,534 
132 
533 
80 
48,144 

1,994 
2,346 
2,135 
310 
1,383 
8,168 

293 
523 
8,984 

- 

124 
55,158 
(16,122)
39,160 
48,144  

43

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IRIDEX Corporation 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(in thousands, except per share data) 

Total revenues
Cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses:

Research and development
Sales and marketing
General and administrative
Gain on sale of intellectual property
Impairment of long-lived assets

Total operating expenses
(Loss) income from operations
Other (expense) income, net
(Loss) income from operations before (benefit from) provision 
for income taxes
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
Net (loss) income
Net (loss) income per share:

Basic
Diluted

  $

  $
  $

Weighted average shares used in computing net (loss) income 
per common share:

Basic
Diluted

FY 2017
Year Ended
  December 30, 2017  
  $

FY 2016
Year Ended
  December 31, 2016  

FY 2015
Year Ended
January 2, 2016

41,593    $
26,090     
15,503     

5,730     
14,541     
8,260     
(175)    
35     
28,391     
(12,888)    
(107)    

(12,995)    
(128)    
(12,867)   $

(1.11)   $
(1.11)   $

46,158    $
25,319     
20,839     

5,365     
10,281     
7,638     
—     
120     
23,404     
(2,565)    
(91)    

(2,656)    
9,057     
(11,713)   $

(1.15)   $
(1.15)   $

41,757 
21,804 
19,953 

5,214 
8,901 
5,550 
— 
— 
19,665 
288 
3 

291 
(183)
474 

0.05 
0.05 

11,555     
11,555     

10,173     
10,173     

9,962 
10,128  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
   
 
IRIDEX Corporation 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands) 

Net (loss) income
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Comprehensive (loss) income

FY 2017
Year Ended
December 30, 2017

FY 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 2016

FY 2015
Year Ended
January 2, 2016

  $

  $

(12,867)   $
—   
(12,867)   $

(11,713)   $
—   
(11,713)   $

474 
— 
474  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

45

 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
IRIDEX Corporation 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
(in thousands, except share data) 

FY 2014: Balances, January 3, 2015
Issuance of common stock under stock option 
plan
Employee stock-based compensation expense
Release of restricted stock
Repurchase of employee share awards
Stock repurchase
Net income
FY 2015: Balances, January 2, 2016
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of 
issuance costs
Issuance of common stock under stock option 
plan
Employee stock-based compensation expense
Release of restricted stock
Stock repurchase
Net loss
FY 2016: Balances, December 31, 2016
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of 
issuance costs
Issuance of common stock under stock option 
plan
Employee stock-based compensation expense
Release of restricted stock
Net loss
FY 2017: Balances, December 30, 2017

Common Stock

Shares
9,786,695     

Amount

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

    Accumulated    
Deficit

Total

108     

38,511     

(4,883)    

33,736 

277,733     

3     

144,756     

(199,776)    

1,024     
895     
(606)    
(275)    
(1,563)    

10,009,408     

111     

37,986     

1,150,000     

12 

14,801     

126,077     

1     

25,795     
(6,544)    

708     
1,821     
(99)    
(59)    

11,304,736     

124     

55,158     

172,500     

2 

2,261     

64,380     

54,658     

377     
1,922     
(333)    

474     
(4,409)    

(11,713)    
(16,122)    

11,596,274    $

126    $

59,385    $

(12,867)    
(28,989)   $

1,027 
895 
(606)
(275)
(1,563)
474 
33,688 

14,813 

709 
1,821 
(99)
(59)
(11,713)
39,160 

2,263 

377 
1,922 
(333)
(12,867)
30,522  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

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IRIDEX Corporation 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in thousands) 

FY 2017
Year Ended
December 30, 
2017

FY 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 
2016

FY 2015

    Year Ended  

January 2, 
2016

  $

(12,867)   $

(11,713)   $

474 

Operating activities:
Net (loss) income
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided 
by operating
   activities:
Gain on sale of intellectual property
Impairment of long-lived assets
Depreciation and amortization
Change in fair value of earn-out liability
Stock-based compensation
Deferred income taxes
Provision for doubtful accounts
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Other long-term assets
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation
Accrued expenses
Accrued warranty
Deferred revenue
Other long-term liabilities

Net cash used in operating activities
Investing activities:

Acquisition of property and equipment
Proceeds from sale of intellectual property
Payment on earn-out liability
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
Proceeds from stock option exercises
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of equity awards
Repurchase of employee share awards
Repurchase of common stock

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the year for:

Income taxes

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:

Transfer of inventory to property and equipment

  $

  $

  $

(175)  
35   
858   
260   
1,922   
—   
—   

2,162   
2,091   
(50)  
(63)  
(270)  
113   
25   
1,132   
1,137   
125   
(3,565)  

(575)  
175   
(382)  
(782)  

—   
120   
648   
95   
1,821   
8,985   
122   

(865)  
(537)  
(64)  
84   
(229)  
774   
478   
—   
72   
65   
(144)  

(1,062)  
—   
(406)  
(1,468)  

2,263   
377   
(333)  
—   
—   
2,307   
(2,040)  
23,747   
21,707    $

14,813   
709   
(99)  
—   
(59)  
15,364   
13,752   
9,995   
23,747    $

— 
— 
522 
5 
895 
(209)
62 

(1,007)
(1,987)
124 
57 
465 
(291)
(36)
134 
132 
67 
(593)

(875)
— 
(423)
(1,298)

— 
1,027 
(606)
(275)
(1,563)
(1,417)
(3,308)
13,303 
9,995 

7    $

171    $

22    $

—    $

27 

—  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

47

 
  
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
IRIDEX Corporation 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

1. Organization 

Description of Business. 

IRIDEX Corporation (“IRIDEX”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a leading worldwide provider of therapeutic 

based laser systems, delivery devices and consumable instrumentation used to treat sight-threatening eye diseases in 
ophthalmology. Our ophthalmology products are sold in the United States predominantly through a direct and independent 
sales force and internationally through independent distributors. 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

Financial Statement Presentation. 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IRIDEX and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All 

significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Our fiscal year always ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal 2017 ended on December 30, 2017 (“FY 

2017”), Fiscal 2016 ended on December 31, 2016 (“FY 2016”) and Fiscal 2015 ended on January 2, 2016 (“FY 2015”). 
Fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 each included 52 weeks of operations.  

Use of Estimates. 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the 

United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of 
assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates 
on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the 
results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily 
apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In addition, any change in these estimates or 
their related assumptions could have an adverse effect on our operating results. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents. 

We consider all highly liquid debt instruments with insignificant interest rate risk and an original maturity of three 

months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of cash deposits in money market 
funds that are available for withdrawal without restriction. 

Sales Returns Allowance and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. 

We estimate future product returns related to current period product revenue. We analyze historical returns, and 
changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns allowance. 
Significant management judgment and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns 
allowance in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if 
management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Our provision for sales returns is recorded net of the 
associated costs. The balance for the provision for sales returns was $570 thousand and $44 thousand as of December 30, 
2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and is recorded within the deferred revenue accounts in the consolidated balance 
sheets. 

Similarly management must make estimates regarding the uncollectibility of accounts receivable. We are exposed to 
credit risk in the event of non-payment by customers to the extent of amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. 
As sales levels change, the level of accounts receivable would likely also change. In addition, in the event that customers 
were to delay their payments to us, the levels of accounts receivable would likely increase. We maintain allowances for 
doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The 
allowance for doubtful accounts is based on past payment history with the customer, analysis of the customer’s current 
financial condition, the aging of the accounts receivable balance, customer concentration and other known factors. 

48

A reconciliation of the changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts balances for the years ended December 30, 

2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

Balance at
Beginning of      
The period  

  Additions

Balance

at End of
  The period  

(Deductions)  

Description
Allowance for doubtful accounts 
Years ended

December 30, 2017

December 31, 2016

January 2, 2016

223     

62     

(145)    

230     

24     

(28)    

140     

128     

(38)    

226 

230 

140  

Inventories. 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include on-hand inventory physically held at our 
facility, sales demo inventory and service loaner inventory. Cost is determined on a standard cost basis which approximates 
actual cost on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Lower of cost or net realizable value is evaluated by considering 
obsolescence, excessive levels of inventory, deterioration and other factors. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its 
net realizable value, if required, are made for estimated excess, obsolescence or impaired inventory and are charged to cost of 
revenues. Once the cost of the inventory is reduced, a new lower-cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent 
changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. Factors 
influencing these adjustments include changes in demand, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, 
product pricing, physical deterioration and quality issues. Revisions to these adjustments would be required if these factors 
differ from our estimates. 

As part of our normal business, we generally utilize various finished goods inventory as either sales demos to facilitate 

the sale of our products to prospective customers, or as loaners that we allow our existing customers to use while we repair 
their products. We are amortizing these demos and loaners over an estimated useful life of four years. The amortization of the 
demos is charged to sales and marketing expense while the amortization on the loaners is charged to cost of revenues. The 
gross value of demos and loaners was $2.4 million and $1.6 million and the accumulated amortization was $850 thousand 
and $490 thousand as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The net book value of demos and loaners 
is charged to cost of revenues when such demos or loaners are sold. 

Property and Equipment. 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and 
amortization are calculated on a straight–line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally three 
years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the lease term. Repairs and 
maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. 

Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets. 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible 
assets acquired in a business combination. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or whenever 
events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company performs an annual 
impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be 
recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceed the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized 
should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects from any tax 
deductible goodwill carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment 
loss, if applicable. The Company has determined that it has a single reporting unit for purposes of performing its goodwill 
impairment test. As the Company uses the market approach to assess impairment, its common stock price is an important 
component of the fair value calculation. If the Company’s stock price continues to experience significant price and volume 
fluctuations, this will impact the fair value of the reporting unit and can lead to potential impairment in future periods. The 
Company performed its annual impairment test during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 and determined that its goodwill was 
not impaired. As of December 30, 2017, we had not identified any factors that indicated there was an impairment of our 
goodwill and determined that no additional impairment analysis was then required. 

49

 
 
     
 
     
 
   
 
 
 
 
     
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
      
      
  
 
 
 
      
      
      
  
 
 
 
 
 
      
      
      
  
 
 
 
 
   
       
       
       
 
 
 
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the useful life of the asset. We review our amortizing intangible 
assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. 
An asset is considered impaired if its carrying amount exceeds the future non-discounted net cash flow the asset is expected 
to generate. If an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the 
carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. In such circumstances, we conduct an impairment analysis in accordance 
with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”).

Revenue Recognition. 

Our revenues arise from the sale of laser consoles, delivery devices, consumables and service and support activities. 

Revenue from product sales is recognized upon receipt of a purchase order and product shipment provided that no significant 
obligations remain and collectibility is reasonably assured. Shipments are generally made with Free-On-Board (“FOB”) 
shipping point terms, whereby title passes upon shipment from our dock. Any shipments with FOB receiving point terms are 
recorded as revenue when the shipment arrives at the receiving point. Cost is recognized as product sales revenue is 
recognized. The Company’s sales may include post-sales obligations for training or other deliverables. For revenue 
arrangements such as these, we recognize revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, 
“Revenue Recognition, Multiple-Element Arrangements”. The Company allocates revenue among deliverables in multiple-
element arrangements using the relative selling price method. Revenue allocated to each element is recognized when the 
basic revenue recognition criteria is met for each element. The Company is required to apply a hierarchy to determine the 
selling price to be used for allocating revenue to deliverables: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price 
(“VSOE”), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”) and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“ESP”). In general, 
the Company is unable to establish VSOE or TPE for all of the elements in the arrangement; therefore, revenue is allocated to 
these elements based on the Company’s ESP, which the Company determines after considering multiple factors such as 
management approved pricing guidelines, geographic differences, market conditions, competitor pricing strategies, internal 
costs and gross margin objectives. These factors may vary over time depending upon the unique facts and circumstances 
related to each deliverable. As a result, the Company’s ESP for products and services could change. Revenues for post-sales 
obligations are recognized as the obligations are fulfilled.

In 2017 we implemented LAP that some of our domestic customers have utilized.   Under the LAP, we ship a G6 laser 
along with an initial purchase of G6 probes and an agreement to purchase additional G6 probes.  Ownership on the console is 
transferred to the customer after they purchase the additional required number of probes on or before the end of a specified 
period. As title on the console does not transfer until the earlier of when the additional required probes are purchased or at the 
end of the term, in accordance with the multiple element arrangement guidance under ASC 605, the Company has determined 
that revenue should be recognized when that uncertainty is resolved.

In international regions, we utilize distributors to market and sell our products. We recognize revenue upon shipment 

for sales to these independent, third-party distributors as we have no continuing obligations subsequent to shipment. 
Generally our distributors are responsible for all marketing, sales, installation, training and warranty labor coverage for our 
products. Our standard terms and conditions do not provide price protection or stock retention rights to any of our distributors.

Royalty revenues are typically based on licensees’ net sales of products that utilize our technology and are recognized 
as earned in accordance with the contract terms when royalties from licensees can be reliably measured and collectibility is 
reasonably assured, such as upon the earlier of the receipt of a royalty statement from the licensee or upon payment by the 
licensee.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities. 

Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are recognized on a net basis in the 

accompanying consolidated statements of operations as well as accrued expenses to the degree which is appropriate. 

50

Deferred Revenue. 

Revenue related to service contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight line basis over the period of the applicable 

service period. Costs associated with these service arrangements are recognized as incurred. Deferred revenue also includes 
the provision for sales returns. A reconciliation of the changes in our deferred revenue balances for the years ended 
December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands): 

FY 2015: Balance as of January 2, 2016
Additions to deferral
Revenue recognized
FY 2016: Balance as of December 31, 2016
Additions to deferral
Revenue recognized
FY 2017: Balance as of December 30, 2017

$

$

1,311 
1,430 
(1,358)
1,383 
2,451 
(1,314)
2,520 

Warranty. 

We provide reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized based on historical 
experience of known product failure rates and expected material and labor costs to provide warranty services. We generally 
provide a two-year warranty on our products. In March 2017, the Company began offering a 5 year warranty on the laser 
heads for its IQ 532/577 laser consoles. Actual warranty costs incurred have not materially differed from those accrued. The 
Company’s warranty policy is applicable to products which are considered defective in their performance or fail to meet the 
product specifications. Warranty costs are reflected in the statement of operations as cost of revenues. Additionally, from 
time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if unforeseen technical problems arise. If estimates are determined to be 
greater than the actual amounts necessary, we may reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods. Warranty costs are 
reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as costs of revenues. A reconciliation of the changes in our warranty 
liability for the years ended December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands): 

FY 2015: Balance as of January 2, 2016
Accruals for product warranties
Cost of warranty claims
FY 2016: Balance as of December 31, 2016
Accruals for product warranties
Cost of warranty claims
FY 2017: Balance as of December 30, 2017

Shipping and Handling Costs. 

$

$

603 
469 
(469)
603 
1,476 
(344)
1,735  

Our shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in revenues and the associated expense is recorded in 

cost of revenues for all periods presented. Shipping and handling costs amounted to $0.3 million for each of the fiscal years 
2017, 2016 and 2015. 

Research and Development. 

Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. 

Advertising. 

Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as they are incurred; such costs were approximately $0.2 million in 
2017, $0.1 million in 2016 and 2015 and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated 
statements of operations. 

Income Taxes. 

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred 

tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and 
tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Under ASC 740, the liability method is used in accounting for income taxes. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of 
assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are 

51

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
expected to reverse. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely 
than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We annually evaluate the realizability of our deferred 
tax assets by assessing our valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used 
to assess the likelihood of realization include our forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that 
could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. In 2014, we released valuation allowance against most of our 
deferred tax assets except that we retained a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets associated with our California 
research and development credit (“CA R&D credit”). In 2016, based on the Company's recent history of earnings and its 
forecasted losses, management believes on the more likely than not basis that a full valuation allowance is required. 
Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, the Company provided a full valuation allowance on its federal and 
states deferred tax assets.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. 

We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice 

associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a 
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax provision 
that an entity takes or expects to take in a tax return. Additionally, ASC 740 provides guidance on de-recognition, 
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. Under ASC 740, an entity may 
only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more-likely-than-not" threshold. In accordance with our 
accounting policy, we recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income 
tax expense. There were no accrued interest and penalties during the years ended December 30, 2017 and December 31, 
2016.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation granted to employees and directors, including employees stock 

option awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation” 
(“ASC 718”). Accordingly, stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, 
and is recognized as expense over the employee’s service period. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a 
ratable basis over the requisite service period of the award.

The Company values options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Restricted stock and time-based restricted 
stock units are valued at the grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. Performance-based restricted stock units 
with market conditions are valued using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires 
the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions which determine the fair value of stock-based awards, including the 
option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The Monte Carlo simulation model incorporates 
assumptions for the holding period, risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility and dividend yield.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties. 

Our cash and cash equivalents are deposited in demand and money market accounts. Deposits held with banks may 
exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and 
therefore, bear minimal risk. 

We market our products to distributors and end-users throughout the world. Sales to international distributors are 
generally made on open credit terms and letters of credit. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of our customers 
and maintains an allowance for potential credit losses. Historically, we have not experienced any significant losses related to 
individual customers or a group of customers in any particular geographic area. For the years ended December 30, 2017, 
December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, no single customer accounted for greater than 10% of total revenues. As of 
December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable balance.

Our products require approvals from the Food and Drug Administration and international regulatory agencies prior to 
commercialized sales. Our future products may not receive required approvals. If we were denied such approvals, or if such 
approvals were delayed, it would have a materially adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial 
condition. 

Reliance on Certain Suppliers. 

Certain components and services used to manufacture and develop our products are presently available from only one 

or a limited number of suppliers or vendors. The loss of any of these suppliers or vendors would potentially require a 
significant level of hardware and/or software development efforts to incorporate the products or services into our products. 

52

Net Income per Share. 

Basic net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the 
period. Diluted net income per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive 
common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents consist of incremental common shares 
issuable upon the exercise of stock options, release (vesting) of restricted stock units and awards, and the conversion of 
Series A Preferred Stock into common stock and are calculated under the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent 
shares from unexercised stock options and unvested restricted stock units are excluded from the computation for periods in 
which we incur a net loss or if the exercise price of such options is greater than the average market price of our common 
stock for the period as their effect would be anti-dilutive. See Note 15 - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per 
Common Share. 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year statements included in these consolidated financial 

statements to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net loss or 
accumulated deficit.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards.

In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of accounting principles generally accepted in 

the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), the Financial Accounting 
Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers (Topic 606).” The new guidance sets forth a new five-step revenue recognition model which replaces the prior 
revenue recognition guidance in its entirety and is intended to eliminate numerous industry-specific pieces of revenue 
recognition guidance that have historically existed in U.S. GAAP. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a 
business or other organization will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an 
amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed 
disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in the prior accounting 
guidance. The ASU provides alternative methods of initial adoption and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning 
after December 15, 2017. The FASB has issued several updates to the standard which i) defer the original effective date from 
January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017 (ASU 2015-14); ii) clarify the 
application of the principal versus agent guidance (ASU  2016-08); iii) clarify the guidance on inconsequential and 
perfunctory promises and licensing (ASU 2016-10); and (iv) clarify the guidance on certain sections of the guidance 
providing technical corrections and improvements (ASU 2016-10). In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”, to address certain 
narrow aspects of the guidance including collectibility criterion, collection of sales taxes from customers, noncash 
consideration, contract modifications and completed contracts. This issuance does not change the core principle of the 
guidance in the initial topic issued in May 2014. We will be adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. 
The adoption of this standard in fiscal year 2018 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial 
statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” Under this ASU, inventory 

will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be 
eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less 
reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current 
guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 
2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of this standard in fiscal year 2017 
did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," amending ASC 842. This ASU requires us to recognize 
on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms of more than twelve 
months. This ASU also requires disclosures enabling the users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing and 
uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new standard will become effective for annual periods beginning after 
December 15, 2018 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted as of the 
beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our 
consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” 

as part of its simplification initiative, which involves several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, 
including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the 
statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods 

53

within those annual periods. Prior to ASU 2016-09, tax benefits in excess of compensation cost (“windfalls”) were recorded 
in equity, and tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”) were recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls, and then to the 
income statement. While the simplification reduces some of the administrative complexities by eliminating the need to track 
a “windfall pool,” it increases the volatility of income tax expense. The ASU also removes the requirement to delay 
recognition of a windfall tax benefit until it reduces current taxes payable. Under the new guidance, the benefit is recorded 
when it arises, subject to normal valuation allowance considerations. Under the new guidance, entities are permitted to make 
an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. 
Forfeitures can be estimated or recognized when they occur. Estimates of forfeitures are still required in certain 
circumstances, such as at the time of modification of an award or issuance of a replacement award in a business combination. 
As of January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on a modified retrospective basis for the income statement 
impact of forfeitures and income taxes. Accordingly, the Company did not change forfeiture method as of January 1, 2017, 
therefore, there was no retained earnings impact.  As of January 1, 2017, the Company also recognized an excess windfall, 
net of operating loss carry-forwards that were converted into deferred tax net operating losses, of $1.39 million, with a 
corresponding increase in valuation allowance of $1.39 million. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash 
Receipts and Cash Payments." The amendment gives guidance and reduces diversity in practice with respect to certain types 
of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those 
fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in 
an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. 
An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are currently evaluating the 
impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, to ASC 740 "Income Taxes," which simplifies the recording of an 

inter-entity transfer of assets other than inventory. The new guidance requires that a company recognize the income tax 
consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The new guidance becomes 
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and must be applied using a modified retrospective 
basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the adoption period. The 
Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements and the timing of adoption.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of 

Modification Accounting.” The amendments in ASU 2017-09 include guidance on determining which changes to the terms 
and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. These 
amendments require the entity to account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following conditions are met: the 
fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is 
the same as the fair value (or value using an alternative measurement method) of the original award immediately before the 
original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses 
to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification; the vesting 
conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original 
award is modified; and the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as 
the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. This guidance is effective for 
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with 
early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial 
statements.

3. Fair Value Measurement 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly 
transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market 
participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an 
entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the 
circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority 
to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to 
unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or 
liabilities. 

Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable inputs as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, 
including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are 
not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies 

54

that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and 
volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the 
full term of the financial instrument. 

(cid:129)

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant 
management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions 
utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions. 

In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the 
use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as considers counterparty credit risk in our assessment of fair value. 

The carrying amounts of our financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, 

accounts payable, and accrued expenses as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, approximate fair value because of 
the short maturity of these instruments. 

As of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, financial assets and liabilities measured and recognized at fair value 

on a recurring basis and classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as described above was as follows 
(in thousands): 

As of December 30, 2017

Fair Value Measurements

As of December 31, 2016

Fair Value Measurements

(in thousands)

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Assets:

Money market 
funds

Liabilities:

  $ 20,950    $

—    $

—    $ 20,950    $

8,270    $

—    $

—    $

8,270 

Earn-out liability   $

—    $

—    $

572    $

572    $

—    $

—    $

694    $

694  

The Company’s Level 1 financial assets are money market funds whose fair values are based on quoted market prices. 
The Company does not have any Level 2 financial assets or liabilities. The fair value of the earn-out liability arising from the 
acquisition of RetinaLabs, Inc. is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy since it is based on significant 
unobservable inputs. The significant unobservable inputs include projected royalties and discount rates to present value the 
payments. A significant increase (decrease) in the projected royalty payments in isolation could result in a significantly 
higher (lower) fair value measurement and a significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate in isolation could result in a 
significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. The fair value of the earn-out liability is calculated on a quarterly basis 
by the Company based on a collaborative effort of the Company’s operations, finance and accounting groups as additional 
information becomes available. Any change in the fair value adjustment is recorded in the statement of operations of that 
period. The decrease in re-measurement of the contingent earn-out was due to a decrease in expected future revenues to be 
generated from these acquisitions. The deal was structured with an earn-out component. The earn-out liability is included in 
accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.   

Charges related to fair value adjustments were $260 thousand, $95 thousand and $5 thousand for the fiscal years 2017, 

2016 and 2015, respectively

55

 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
The following table presents quantitative information about the inputs and valuation methodologies used for our fair 

value measurements classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. 

As of December 30, 2017

Fair Value
(in thousands)   

Valuation
Technique

Earn-out liability

 $

572  Discounted cash flow 

As of December 31, 2016

Fair Value
(in thousands)   

Valuation
Technique

Earn-out liability

 $

694  Discounted cash flow 

Significant
Unobservable
Input
Projected royalties
(in thousands)
Discount rate

Significant
Unobservable
Input
Projected royalties
(in thousands)
Discount rate

Weighted
Average
(range)

$1,622
10.90%
(10.90% - 27.00%)

Weighted
Average
(range)

$2,154
11.22%
(11.22% - 27.00%)

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the contingent consideration – 

cash (Level 3 liabilities) (in thousands): 

Balance as of January 2, 2016
Payments against earn-out
Change in fair value of earn-out liability
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Payments against earn-out
Change in fair value of earn-out liability
Balance as of December 30, 2017

  $

  $

1,005 
(406)
95 
694 
(382)
260 
572  

4. Inventories 

The components of our inventories are as follows (in thousands): 

Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods
Total inventories

FY 2017
December 30, 2017

FY 2016
December 31, 2016

  $

  $

4,147   $
1,567  
3,667  
9,381   $

5,331 
2,337 
3,975 
11,643  

5. Property and Equipment 

The components of our property and equipment are as follows (in thousands): 

Equipment
Leasehold improvements
Less: accumulated depreciation and 
amortization
Property and equipment, net

FY 2017

FY 2016

  December 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
9,560 
  $
2,309 

10,088    $
2,364     

  $

(11,049)   
1,403    $

(10,335)
1,534  

Depreciation expense related to property and equipment was $842 thousand, $632 thousand and $506 thousand for the 

fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

56

 
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
    
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
 
6. Goodwill 

The carrying value of goodwill was $533 thousand as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever there is a change in circumstances that indicates the 

carrying value of these assets may be impaired. The determination of whether any potential impairment of goodwill exists is 
based upon an impairment test performed in accordance with ASC 350. There was no impairment of goodwill recognized 
during fiscal years 2017, 2016 or 2015. 

7. Intangible Assets 

The components of our purchased intangible assets as of December 30, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): 

Customer relations
Patents

Useful
Lives
15 Years
Varies

  $

   $

FY 2017
Annual

Amortization    

Gross
Carrying
Value

Accumulated
Amortization    

Net
Carrying
Value

16    $
-     
16    $

240    $
600     
840    $

124    $
600     
724    $

116   
-   
116   

Useful Lives
Remaining
7.25 Years
Varies

The components of our purchased intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands): 

Customer relations
Patents

Useful
Lives
15 Years
Varies

  $

   $

FY 2016
Annual

Amortization    

Gross
Carrying
Value

Accumulated
Amortization    

Net
Carrying
Value

16    $
-     
16    $

240    $
720     
960    $

108    $
720     
828    $

132   
-   
132   

Useful Lives
Remaining
8.25 Years
Varies

Aggregate amortization expense for each of the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $16 thousand. The amortization 

of customer relations was charged to sales and marketing expense and the amortization of patents was charged to cost of 
revenues. 

Estimated future amortization expense for purchased intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): 

Fiscal Year:
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total

  $

  $

16 
16 
16 
16 
16 
36 
116  

8. Accrued Expenses 

The components of our accrued expenses are as follows (in thousands): 

Customer deposits
Earn-out – short term
Distributor commission
Sales and use tax payable
Royalties payable
Other accrued expenses
Total accrued expenses

FY 2017

FY 2016

  December 30, 2017     December 31, 2016  
496 
509   $
  $
305 
337  
171 
293  
94 
57  
66 
82  
1,003 
875  
2,135  
2,153   $

  $

57

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Commitments and Contingencies 

Lease Agreements. 

We lease our operating facilities in Mountain View, California, under a non-cancelable operating lease that was 
initially scheduled to expire in February 28, 2022. In April 2017, we executed an agreement to extend the term of the lease 
through February 28, 2022. There are no remaining options to extend or renew the terms of this lease.  Rent expense for 
fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively.  

Future minimum lease payments under current operating leases as of December 30, 2017 are summarized as follows (in 

thousands):

Fiscal Year
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Total future minimum lease payments

Operating
Lease Payments

1,098 
1,358 
1,443 
1,484 
304 
5,687  

  $

  $

Manufacture and Supply Agreement.

Future minimum payments for manufacture and supply commitments as of December 30, 2017 are summarized as 

follows (in thousands): 

Fiscal Year
2018
2019
Total contract manufacturing and supply 
commitments

Contract
Manufacturing
and Supply
Commitments

  $

  $

5,736 
6,709 

12,445  

License Agreements. 

We are obligated to pay royalties equivalent to 5% of sales on certain products under certain license agreements with 

termination dates as early as the end of 2018 and as late as the end of 2021. Royalty expense, charged to cost of revenues, 
was approximately $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million for the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Indemnification Arrangements. 

We enter into standard indemnification arrangements in our ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these 

arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by 
the indemnified party, generally our business partners or customers, in connection with any trade secret, copyright, patent or 
other intellectual property infringement claim by any third-party with respect to our products. The term of these 
indemnification agreements is generally perpetual any time after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential 
amount of future payments we could be required to make under these agreements is not determinable. We have never 
incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the 
estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that may require us to indemnify our 

directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than 
liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature; to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any 
proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified; and to make good faith determination whether or not it is 
practicable for us to obtain directors and officers insurance. We currently have directors and officers liability insurance. 

In general, management believes that claims which are pending or known to be threatened, will not have a material 

adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations and are adequately covered by our liability insurance. 
However, it is possible that cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected in any particular period by the 
unfavorable resolution of one of more of these contingencies or because of the diversion of management’s attention and the 
incurrence of significant expenses.

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
10. Stockholders’ Equity 

1998 Stock Plan. 

The 1998 Stock Plan (the “1998 Plan”), as amended, provides for the granting to employees (including officers and 

non-employee directors) of incentive stock options and for the granting to employees (including officers and non-employee 
directors) and consultants of nonstatutory stock options, stock purchase rights (“SPRs”), restricted stock, restricted stock 
units (“RSUs”), performance shares, performance units and stock appreciation rights. The exercise price of incentive stock 
options and stock appreciation rights granted under the 1998 Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of the shares 
at the time of grant. With respect to any recipient who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the voting power of our 
outstanding capital stock, the exercise price of any option or SPR granted must be at least equal to 110% of the fair market 
value at the time of grant. Options granted under the 1998 Plan are exercisable at such times and under such conditions as 
determined by the administrator; generally over a four year period. The maximum term of incentive stock options granted to 
any recipient must not exceed ten years; provided, however, that the maximum term of an incentive stock option granted to 
any recipient possessing more than 10% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock must not exceed five years. In 
the case of SPRs, unless the administrator determines otherwise, we have a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary 
or involuntary termination of the purchaser’s employment with us for any reason (including death or disability). Such 
repurchase option lapses at a rate determined by the administrator. The purchase price for shares repurchased is the original 
price paid by the purchaser. As of December 30, 2017 and January 2, 2016, no shares were subject to repurchase. The form of 
consideration for exercising an option or stock purchase right, including the method of payment, is determined by the 
administrator. The 1998 Plan expired in February 2008. 

2008 Equity Incentive Plan. 

On June 11, 2008, the shareholders approved the adoption of the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, (the “Incentive Plan”). 

There are no material changes in the Incentive Plan from the 1998 Plan. In 2014, the stockholders approved an amendment to 
the Incentive Plan for purposes of complying with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to 
increase the share reserve under the Incentive Plan, and to make certain other amendments to the terms of the Incentive Plan. 
The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be awarded and sold under the Incentive Plan is 300,000 shares plus any 
shares subject to stock options or similar awards granted under the 1998 Plan that expire or otherwise terminate without 
having been exercised in full and shares issued pursuant to awards granted under the 1998 Plan that are forfeited to us on or 
after February 23, 2008, which was the date the 1998 Plan expired. 

59

The following table summarizes information regarding activity in our stock option plans during the fiscal years ended 

2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands except share and per share data): 

Balances as of January 3, 2015
Additional shares reserved
Options granted
Restricted stock granted
Options exercised
Options cancelled
Awards cancelled
Options expired
Balances as of January 2, 2016
Additional shares reserved
Options granted
Restricted stock granted
Options exercised
Options cancelled
Awards cancelled
Options expired
Balances as of December 31, 2016
Additional shares reserved
Options granted
Restricted stock granted
Options exercised
Options cancelled
Awards cancelled
Options expired
Balances as of December 30, 2017

Outstanding Options

Shares
Available
for Grant

Number
of Shares

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

854,117 
1,000 
(170,300)
(227,905)
— 
174,870 
146,000 
(7,000)
770,782 
— 
(112,277)
(286,294)
— 
66,707 
66,000 
- 
504,918 
650,000 
(524,400)
(141,692)
— 
73,694 
32,039 
— 
594,559 

833,795    $
—     
170,300     
—     
(277,733)   
(174,870)   
—     
—     
551,492     
—     
112,277     
—     
(126,077)   
(66,707)   
—     
—     
470,985     
—     
524,400     
—     
(64,380)   
(73,694)   
—     
—     
857,311    $

4.88 
— 
9.38 
— 
3.70 
4.71 
— 
— 
6.92 
— 
13.71 
— 
5.62 
7.37 
— 
— 
8.69 
— 
9.90 
— 
5.86 
10.47 
— 
— 
9.49  

There were 1,451,870 shares reserved for future issuance under the stock option plans as of December 30, 2017. 

The following table summarizes information with respect to stock options outstanding and exercisable as of 

December30, 2017

Range of Exercise Prices
$3.46 - $6.30
$6.83 - $8.58
$8.60 - $9.40
$9.54 - $9.54
$10.14 - $10.73
$11.04 - $11.04
$11.16 - $11.16
$12.85 - $12.85
$14.61 - $14.61
$16.29 - $16.29
$3.46 - $16.29

Options Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Options Vested and Exercisable

Number of
Shares
Exercisable

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Number of
Shares
Outstanding

97,542   
96,655   
84,000   
385,000   
69,374   
5,300   
24,900   
27,500   
38,000   
29,040   
857,311   

2.11    $
4.13    $
5.82    $
6.56    $
4.25    $
5.32    $
6.32    $
3.66    $
5.41    $
5.52    $
5.33    $

60

4.94   
7.93   
9.06   
9.54   
10.62   
11.04   
11.16   
12.85   
14.61   
16.29   
9.49   

97,542    $
61,551    $
25,202    $
32,709    $
45,774    $
2,209    $
—    $
8,235    $
5,940    $
10,674    $
289,836    $

4.94 
8.06 
8.87 
9.54 
10.63 
11.04 
- 
12.85 
14.61 
16.29 
8.25  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The determination of the fair value of options granted is computed using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with 

the following weighted average assumptions: 

Average risk free interest rate
Expected life (in years)
Dividend yield
Average volatility

FY 2017

Employee Stock Option Plan
FY 2016

FY 2015

1.83%   

4.55 years 
— 
41.8%   

1.33%   

4.55 years 
— 
44.5%   

1.38%

4.55 years 
— 
49.3%

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted as calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing was 

$3.68, $5.06, and $3.95 per share for the fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Option pricing models require the input of various subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the 
price volatility of the underlying stock. The expected stock price volatility is based on analysis of our stock price history over 
a period commensurate with the expected term of the options, trading volume of our stock, look-back volatilities and 
Company specific events that affected volatility in a prior period. The expected term of employee stock options represents the 
weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is based on the history of exercises and 
cancellations on all past option grants made, the contractual term, the vesting period and the expected remaining term of the 
outstanding options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury interest rates whose term is consistent with the 
expected life of the stock options. No dividend yield is included as we have not issued any dividends and does not anticipate 
issuing any dividends in the future. 

The following table shows stock-based compensation expense by functional line item in the consolidated statements of 

operations for 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Cost of revenues
Research and development
Sales and marketing
General and administrative
Total stock-based compensation 
expense

FY 2017
Year Ended

FY 2016
Year Ended

  December 30, 2017     December 31, 2016    
152    $
  $
354     
307     
1,109     

119    $
134     
164     
1,404     

  $

1,922    $

1,821    $

FY 2015
Year Ended
January 2, 2016

223 
176 
185 
311 

895  

Stock-based compensation expense capitalized to inventory was immaterial for 2017, 2016, and 2015. 

Information regarding stock options outstanding, exercisable and expected to vest as of December 30, 2017 is 

summarized below: 

Options outstanding
Options vested and expected to vest
Options exercisable

Number of
Shares

857,311 
773,545 
289,836 

  Weighted Average    
  Exercise Price
 $
 $
 $

9.49     
9.43     
8.25     

Weighted 
Average
Remaining 
Contractual
Life (years)

Aggregate 
Intrinsic
Value
(thousands)

5.33    $
5.22    $
3.65    $

278 
278 
272  

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our 

closing stock price on the last trading day of fiscal 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money 
options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 30, 
2017. This amount is subject to change due to changes to the fair market value of our common stock. The total intrinsic value 
of options exercised for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $0.3 million, $0.8 million, and $1.5 million, 
respectively. 

As of December 30, 2017, there was $4.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-

based compensation arrangements under both of the plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average 
period of 3.31 years. 

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
   
   
 
Cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits are classified as a part of cash flows from financing activities.  Excess tax 
benefits are realized tax benefits from tax deductions for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and awards 
in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to stock-based compensation expense for such stock-based awards.  Excess tax 
benefits are considered realized when the tax deductions reduce taxes that otherwise would be payable.  Excess tax benefits 
classified as a financing cash inflow for each of the fiscal year 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $0.   

Restricted Stock Awards/Restricted Stock Units 

Effective for the 2011 fiscal year and thereafter, each non-employee member of the Board of Directors received an 

annual equity award of either restricted stock or RSU, at the election of such Board member, in each case equal to $20 
thousand worth of our common stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such award is granted) 
under our Incentive Plan. Each equity award or RSU vests in full on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant provided 
that the non-employee member continues to serve on the Board through such date. 

Summary of Restricted Stock Units and Awards 

We recognize the estimated compensation expense of restricted stock units and awards, net of estimated forfeitures, 
over the vesting term. The estimated compensation expense is based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of 
grant. 

Information regarding the restricted stock units outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of December 30, 2017 is 

summarized below: 

Restricted stock units outstanding
Restricted stock units vested and expected to 
vest

Weighted 
Average
Remaining 
Contractual
Life (years)

Aggregate 
Intrinsic
Value (thousands)  
2,752 

1.42    $

Number of
Shares

361,148     

314,234     

1.11    $

2,394  

The intrinsic value of the restricted stock units is calculated based on the closing price of our shares as quoted on the 

NASDAQ Global Market on the last trading day of the year, December 29, 2017, of $7.62. 

The majority of the restricted stock units that were released in fiscal year 2017 were net-share settled such that we 

withheld shares with value equivalent to the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other 
employment taxes, and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. The total shares withheld were based on the 
value of the restricted stock units on their release date as determined by our closing stock price. These net-share settlements 
had the effect of share repurchases as they reduced and retired the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued as 
a result of the release and did not represent an expense to us. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017, 80,009 shares of 
restricted stock units were released with an intrinsic value of approximately $1.0 million. We withheld 26,640 shares to 
satisfy approximately $333 thousand of employees’ minimum tax obligation on the released restricted stock units. 

62

 
 
   
   
   
   
 
Information regarding the RSU activity during the years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 

2016 is summarized below: 

Outstanding as of January 3, 2015
Restricted stock units granted
Restricted stock units released
Restricted stock units forfeited
Outstanding as of January 2, 2016
Restricted stock units granted
Restricted stock units released
Restricted stock units forfeited
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
Restricted stock units granted
Restricted stock units released
Restricted stock units forfeited
Outstanding as of December 30, 2017

Number of
Shares

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

277,390    $
225,392    $
(209,193)  $
(146,000)  $
147,589    $
285,005    $
(30,789)  $
(66,000)  $
335,805    $
137,391    $
(80,009)  $
(32,039)  $
361,148    $

5.52 
8.66 
4.82 
8.28 
8.59 
11.89 
8.30 
9.67 
11.20 
9.88 
12.37 
11.44 
10.42  

During the year ended December 30, 2017, the Company awarded 137,391 restricted stock units at a weighted average 

grant date fair value of $9.88 per share. Of this amount, 123,500 stock units represent performance based shares that are 
subject to service, performance and market vesting conditions with a weighted average grant date fair value of $9.92 per 
share.

RSUs granted with market conditions are valued using the Monte Carlo simulation model and compensation expense is 

recognized ratably during the service period even if the market condition is not satisfied. To the extent that the market 
condition is not met, the RSUs will not vest and will be cancelled.

RSUs granted with performance conditions are valued at the grant date fair value of the underlying common shares. 

The Company make a determination regarding the probability of the performance criteria being achieved and compensation 
expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period, if it is expected that the performance criteria will be met.

Information regarding the restricted stock awards activity during the year ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 

2016 and January 2, 2016 is summarized below:

Outstanding as of January 3, 2015
Restricted stock awards granted
Restricted stock awards released
Outstanding as of January 2, 2016
Restricted stock awards granted
Restricted stock awards released
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
Restricted stock awards granted
Restricted stock awards released
Outstanding as of December 30, 2017

Number of
Shares

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

2,445    $
2,513    $
(2,445)  $
2,513    $
1,289    $
(2,513)  $
1,289    $
4,301    $
(1,289)  $
4,301    $

8.18 
7.96 
7.96 
7.96 
15.51 
7.96 
15.51 
9.30 
15.51 
9.30  

Stock Repurchase Program. 

In February 2013, the Board of Directors approved a one year $3.0 million stock repurchase program that replaced the 

prior two year $4.0 million stock repurchase program. In February 2014, the Board of Directors approved the extension of the 
plan for an additional year. In July 2014, the Board of Directors approved an extension of the plan for an additional year and 
authorized an additional $3.0 million of stock repurchases. In August 2015, the Board of Directors approved a further 
extension of the plan for another year and authorized an additional $2.0 million of stock repurchases. On September 9, 2015, 
the Company made a payment to James H. Mackaness, our former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, of 
approximately $275 thousand in cash in exchange for Mr. Mackaness’ agreement to cancel vested stock options exercisable 

63

 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
for an aggregate of 92,656 shares of our common stock. This payment to Mr. Mackaness was made using funds authorized 
and available under the stock repurchase program discussed above, and resulted in a reduction of the approximate dollar 
value of shares that may yet be purchased under this program. During the year ended December 30, 2017, the Company did 
not repurchased any shares while for the years ended December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, the Company repurchased 
6,544 and 199,776 shares at an average price of $9.00 and $7.92 per share, respectively. As of December 30, 2017, we have 
repurchased 843,785 shares for approximately $6.7 million under this program. The remaining balance of approximately $1.0 
million approved under the plan was not used when the plan lapsed in August 2016.       

11. Employee Benefit Plan 

We have a plan known as the Iridex Corporation Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan Trust to provide retirement benefits 

through the deferred salary deductions for substantially all U.S. employees. Employees may contribute up to 15% of their 
annual compensation to the plan, limited to a maximum amount set by the Internal Revenue Service. The plan also provides 
for Company contributions at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Prior to the start of fiscal 2009, we suspended the 
matching contributions. Subsequent to December 28, 2013, we reinstated a Company match in the amount of 50% of 
employee contributions up to a maximum of $3 thousand. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, total matching contributions made by the 
Company were $248 thousand, $226 thousand, and $218 thousand, respectively.

12. Income Taxes 

Loss (income) from operations before (benefit from) provision for income taxes was comprised of the following: 

United States
Foreign
Total

FY 2017
Year Ended

FY 2016
Year Ended

  December 30, 2017     December 31, 2016    
  $

(12,800)  $
(195)   
(12,995)  $

(2,656)  $
—     
(2,656)  $

  $

FY 2015
Year Ended

January 2, 2016  
291 
— 
291  

The (benefit from) provision for income taxes includes: 

FY 2017
Year Ended

FY 2016
Year Ended

FY 2015
Year Ended

  December 30, 2017     December 31, 2016    

January 2, 2016  

Current:

Federal
State

Deferred:

Federal
State

  $

(90)  $
16     
(74)   

(55)   
1     
(54)   

-    $
4     
4     

9,271     
(218)   
9,053     

(Benefit from) provision for income 
taxes

  $

(128)  $

9,057    $

(4)
30 
26 

(12)
(197)
(209)

(183)

Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as shown in the following schedule: 

Income tax provision at statutory rate
State income taxes, net of federal 
benefit
Permanent differences
Research and development credits
Change in valuation allowance
Foreign rate differential
Other
Effective tax rate

FY 2017
Year Ended
  December 30, 2017  

FY 2016
Year Ended
  December 31, 2016  

FY 2015
Year Ended
January 2, 2016  

34.0%   

34.0%   

34.0%

9.6%   
(1.5)%   
3.0%   
(387.4)%   
— 
1.3%   
(341.0)%   

(70.8)%
12.0%
(34.8)%
— 
— 
(3.3)%
(62.9)%

2.4%   
(0.0)%   
0.6%   
(34.9)%   
(0.5)%   
(3.0)%   
1.0%   

64

 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
      
      
  
   
 
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax 

assets are presented below (in thousands): 

FY 2017
Year Ended

December 30, 2017    

Net operating losses
Research and development credits
Accruals and reserves
Deferred revenue
Property and equipment
Intangible assets
Stock compensation
Other tax credits
Net deferred tax asset
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax liabilities

  $

  $

5,757    $
2,839     
2,031     
341     
314     
495     
528     
1     
12,306     
(12,320)   
(14)  $

FY 2016
Year Ended

December 31, 2016  
4,411 
2,113 
2,158 
104 
396 
783 
972 
90 
11,027 
(11,095)
(68)

Our accounting for deferred taxes involves the evaluation of a number of factors concerning the realizability of our 

deferred tax assets. Assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets is dependent upon several factors, including the 
likelihood and amount, if any, of future taxable income in relevant jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary 
differences become deductible. Our management forecasts taxable income by considering all available positive and negative 
evidence including our history of operating income or losses and our financial plans and estimates which are used to manage 
the business. These assumptions require significant judgment about future taxable income. The amount of deferred tax assets 
considered realizable is subject to adjustment in future periods if estimates of future taxable income are reduced.

As of December 30, 2017, based on the Company's recent history of earnings and its forecasted losses, management 
believes on the more likely than not basis that a full valuation allowance is required. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 
fiscal year 2017, the Company provided a full valuation allowance on its federal and states deferred tax assets. As of 
December 30, 2017, the Company had federal and State net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards of $21.5 million and 
$16.7 million respectively. The federal NOL will begin to expire in 2032 and the state NOL will begin to expire in 2020. 

In December 2015, Congress passed a tax extenders package, Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 

2015, and permanently extended the federal R&D credit.  The Company has federal and state research credit carry forwards 
of approximately $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, available to and development credits are subject to IRC sections 
382 and 383. In the event of a change in ownership as defined by these code sections, the usage of the above mentioned 
NOL’s and credits may be limited.

On December 22, 2017, the current U.S. presidential administration signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Reform") 

into legislation.  Under ASC 740, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which the new 
legislation is enacted.  In the case of US federal income taxes, the enactment date is the date the bill becomes law.    With 
respect to this legislation, we expect a financial statement impact of approximately $90 thousand related to a refundable AMT 
and an adjustment to the indefinite-lived deferred tax liability.  The Company performed a re-measurement of deferred tax 
assets and liabilities as a result of the decrease in the corporate Federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% which was offset by 
the valuation allowance.

The Act “To provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal 
year 2018” (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted December 22, 2017. The Tax Reform Act reduced certain federal corporate 
income tax rates effective January 1, 2018 and changed certain other provisions. Various provisions within the new 
legislation were considered but due to the Company’s valuation allowance on domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities 
there is no material impact to the financial statements of the federal tax rate reductions for the year ended December 31, 
2017.

As a result of the Tax Reform Act, the Company has also considered the impact of the transition tax for which it has 

estimated that the Company would not need to accrue any amounts.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes.  ASC 740 seeks to 
reduce the diversity in practice associated with certain aspects of measurement and recognition in accounting for income 
taxes. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and 
measurement of a tax provision that an entity takes or expects to take in a tax return. Additionally, ASC 740 provides 

65

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures, and transition. 
Under ASC 740, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a "more likely than not" 
threshold. In accordance with our accounting policy, we recognize accrued interests and penalties related to unrecognized tax 
benefits as a component of income tax expense. There is no accrued interest and penalty during the year ended December 30, 
2017.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands): 

Balance at the beginning of the year
Additions based upon tax positions related to the 
current year
Additions based upon tax positions related to the 
prior year
Reductions based upon tax positions related to 
the prior year
Balance at the end of the year

FY 2017
Year Ended
December 30, 
2017

FY 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 
2016

FY 2015
    Year Ended  

January 2, 
2016

  $

1,029    $

937    $

861 

73     

3     

75     

17     

  $

-     
1,105    $

-     
1,029    $

73 

- 

3 
937  

If the ending balance of $1.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 30, 2017, were recognized, $0 of the 

recognition would affect the income tax rate. The Company does not anticipate any material change in our unrecognized tax 
benefits over the next twelve months. The unrecognized tax benefits may change during the next year for items that arise in 
the ordinary course of business. 

The Company files U.S. federal and state returns. The tax years 2010 to 2016 remain open in several jurisdictions, none 

of which have individual significance.

13. Loan and Security Agreement

In November 2016, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with Silicon 
Valley Bank providing for a $15.0 million secured revolving loan facility (“Revolving Loan Facility”), with availability 
subject to an accounts receivable borrowing base formula. Borrowings under the Revolving Loan Facility accrue interest at a 
per annum rate equal to the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate as in effect from time to time, plus 1.5%.  The Loan Agreement 
does not include any financial covenants. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow funds under the Revolving Loan 
Facility until November 2, 2019, at which time the Revolving Loan Facility matures and all outstanding amounts must be 
repaid. As of December 30, 2017, there was no amount outstanding.

14. Business Segments and Geographical Information

We operate in one segment, ophthalmology. We develop, manufacture and market medical devices. Our revenues arise 

from the sale of consoles, delivery devices, consumables, service and support activities. 

Revenue information shown by geographic region is as follows (in thousands): 

United States
Europe
Rest of Americas
Asia/Pacific Rim

FY 2017
Year Ended
  December 30, 2017  
  $

FY 2016
Year Ended
  December 31, 2016  

FY 2015
Year Ended
January 2, 2016

23,017    $
8,097 
2,319 
8,160 
41,593    $

25,171    $
9,567 
2,800 
8,620 
46,158    $

23,952 
7,968 
2,676 
7,161 
41,757  

  $

Revenues are attributed to countries based on location of end customers. For fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 no 
individual country accounted for more than 10% of our sales, except for the United States, which accounted for 55.3%, 
54.5%, and 57.4% of revenues in 2017, 2016, and 2015 respectively. 

As of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had no long-lived assets in any country other than in the United 

States.

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15. Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share 

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted net income per common share is provided as 

follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): 

Numerator:

Net (loss) income

  $

(12,867)  $

(11,713)  $

474  

FY 2017
Year Ended
December 30, 
2017

FY 2016
Year Ended
December 31, 
2016

FY 2015
    Year Ended    
January 2, 
2016

Denominator:

Weighted average shares of common stock 
(basic)

Effect of dilutive preferred shares
Effect of dilutive stock options
Effect of dilutive contingent shares
Weighted average shares of 
common stock (diluted)

Per share data:

11,555 

10,173 

—     
—     
—     

—     
—     
—     

9,962 
—  
154  
12  

11,555 

10,173 

10,128 

Basic net (loss) income per share
Diluted net (loss) income per share

  $
  $

(1.11)  $
(1.11)  $

(1.15)  $
(1.15)  $

0.05  
0.05  

As of December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016 stock options, restricted stock units and restricted 

stock awards of 1,222,760, 808,079 and 399,166 shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted 
weighted average shares outstanding because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.

16. Quarterly Results (unaudited)

 Total revenues
 Cost of revenues
 Gross profit
 Operating expenses:
      Research and development
      Sales and marketing
      General and administrative
      Gain on sale of intellectual property
      Impairment of long-lived assets
 Total operating expenses
 Loss from operations
 Other expense, net
 Loss from operations before (benefit from) 
provision for income taxes
 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 Net loss
Net loss per share:
      Basic
      Diluted

Q1

Q2

Fiscal Year 2017
Q3
$ 10,483   $ 10,002   $ 10,865   $ 10,243   $ 41,593 
8,073     26,090 
2,170     15,503 

6,492    
4,373    

5,507    
4,495    

6,018    
4,465    

    Year

Q4

1,496    
2,923    
1,904    
— 
— 
6,323    
(1,858)   
(2)   

1,528    
3,654    
2,054    
— 
— 
7,236    
(2,741)   
(1)   

1,428    
3,769    
2,422    
(175)   
—    
7,444    
(3,071)   
(16)   

1,278    
5,730 
4,195     14,541 
8,260 
1,880    
(175)
—    
35 
35    
7,388     28,391 
(5,218)    (12,888)
(107)

(88)   

(1,860)   
6    

(5,306)    (12,995)
(128)
$ (1,866)  $ (2,750)  $ (3,096)  $ (5,155)  $ (12,867)

(2,742)   
8    

(3,087)   
9    

(151)   

$
$

(0.16)  $
(0.16)  $

(0.24)  $
(0.24)  $

(0.27)  $
(0.27)  $

(0.44)  $
(0.44)  $

(1.11)
(1.11)

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 Total revenues
 Cost of revenues
 Gross profit
 Operating expenses:
      Research and development
      Sales and marketing
      General and administrative
      Impairment of long-lived assets
 Total operating expenses
 Income (loss) from operations
 Other expense, net
 Income (loss) from operations before 
provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
 Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share:
      Basic
      Diluted

Q1

Q2

Fiscal Year 2016
Q3
$ 11,931   $ 11,908   $ 9,789   $ 12,530   $ 46,158 
6,967     25,319 
5,563     20,839 

5,544    
4,245    

6,174    
5,734    

6,634    
5,297    

    Year

Q4

1,359    
2,429    
1,357    
— 
5,145    
152    
(11)   

1,392    
2,405    
2,331    
— 
6,128    
(394)   
(21)   

1,256    
2,378    
1,858    
—    
5,492    
(1,247)   
(51)   

1,358    
5,365 
3,069     10,281 
7,638 
2,092    
120 
120    
6,639     23,404 
(2,565)
(1,076)   
(91)
(8)   

141    
40    
101   $

(415)   
(87)   
(328)  $

(2,656)
(1,084)   
(1,298)   
(627)   
9,057 
9,731    
(671)  $ (10,815)  $ (11,713)

0.01   $
0.01   $

(0.03)  $
(0.03)  $

(0.07)  $
(0.07)  $

(1.04)  $
(1.04)  $

(1.15)
(1.15)

$

$
$

17. Subsequent Events 

On February 23, 2018, we initiated a voluntary recall of a specific laser accessory called the TruFocus LIO Premiere™ 

(“LIO”). The LIO is a headmounted indirect ophthalmoscopes that connects to our laser console and is used to view and 
perform retina laser treatment on a patient’s eye. There are 104 TruFocus LIO Premiere units at customer sites worldwide. 
We have received reports of three adverse events occurring during procedures in which the TruFocus LIO Premiere was used. 
Iridex has notified the FDA of this action. 

Recalled products were manufactured from May 26, 2017 to November 6, 2017 and distributed from June 5, 2017 to 

January 29, 2018.

As a consequence of the recall program, the Company has estimated a decrease of $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 

fiscal year 2017 revenues due to an increase in sales return allowance.  Cost of sales increased by $1.3 million related to 
inventory write-down, replacement and other associated warranty costs. All of these financial impact has been reflected 
within the December 30, 2017 financial statements.

68

 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
     
     
  
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Not applicable. 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. 

Our management, with the participation of our Principal Executive and Financial Officer and Principal Accounting 

Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange 
Act. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that disclosure controls and 
procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the 
objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, 
our management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls 
and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the 
likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all 
potential future conditions. 

Based on management’s evaluation, our Principal Executive and Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer 

concluded that, as of December 30, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level 
and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit 
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and 
forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive and 
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the company’s financial 

reporting. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error 
and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even any effective internal control can provide only reasonable 
assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of any 
internal control may vary over time. Our management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over 
financial reporting as of December 30, 2017. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based 
on our assessment using those criteria, our management concluded that, as of December 30, 2017, our internal control over 
financial reporting is effective.

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

BPM LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our 

internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017, which report is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 

year 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial 
reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes that our disclosure 

controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of 
achieving their objectives and are effective at the reasonable assurance level. However, our management does not expect that 
our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A 
control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the 
objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource 
constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all 
control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, 
have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that 
breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts 
of some persons, by collusion of two or more persons or by management override of the controls. The design of any system 
of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance 
that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may 
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. 
Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not 
be detected.

69

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON 

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of IRIDEX Corporation

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of IRIDEX Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and 
is  subsidiaries  (the  “Company”)  as  of  December  30,  2017,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated 
Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (2013  Framework)  (the 
“COSO” criteria). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 30, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States)  (PCAOB),  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  December  30,  2017  and  December  31,  2016  and  the  related 
consolidated  statements  of  operations,  comprehensive  income  (loss),  stockholders’  equity,  and  cash  flows  for  each  of  the 
three  years  in  the  period  ended  December  30,  2017  and  the  related  notes  (collectively  referred  to  as  the  “consolidated 
financial  statements”)  of  the  Company,  and  our  report  dated  March  14,  2018,  expressed  an  unqualified  opinion  on  these 
consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and 
for  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in  the  accompanying 
Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 
PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws 
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and 
perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was 
maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding 
of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the 
design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  internal  control  based  on  the  assessed  risk.  Our  audit  also  included  performing  such 
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for 
our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies 
and  procedures  that  (1)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as 
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that 
receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  company  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and 
directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized 
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also,  projections  of  any  evaluation  of  effectiveness  to  future  periods  are  subject  to  the  risk  that  controls  may  become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ BPM LLP

San Jose, California

March 14, 2018

70

Item 9B. Other Information 

Not applicable. 

71

PART III 

Certain information required by Part III has been omitted from this Form 10-K. This information is instead 

incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement, which we will file within 120 days after the end of our 
fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A in time for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2018.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

Information regarding our directors is incorporated herein by reference to “Proposal One - Election of Directors - 
Nominees” in our Proxy Statement. The information concerning our current executive officers is incorporated herein by 
reference to “Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement. Information regarding delinquent filers is incorporated by 
reference to “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our Proxy Statement. Information regarding our 
code of business conduct and ethics is incorporated herein by reference to “Corporate Governance Matters - Code of 
Business Conduct and Ethics” in our Proxy Statement. 

Item 11. Executive Compensation 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to “Executive Compensation” in our Proxy 

Statement. 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 

Owners and Management” in our Proxy Statement. 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to “Certain Relationships and Related 

Transactions” in our Proxy Statement. 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to “Proposal Two - Ratification of the 

Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our Proxy Statement. 

72

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)

The following documents are filed in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K: 

PART IV

Page in
Form 10-K
Report

1. Index to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm..........................................................................................  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.........................................................  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016, and January 
2, 2016............................................................................................................................................................................  
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 
2016, and January 2, 2016 .............................................................................................................................................  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders(cid:3)Equity for the years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016, 
and January 2, 2016 .......................................................................................................................................................  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016, and January 
2, 2016............................................................................................................................................................................  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................................................................................................  

42
43

44

45

46

47
48

2. Financial Statement Schedule 

Schedules have been omitted because they are either not required, not applicable, or the required information is 

included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibits 

Exhibits
2.1(13)

Exhibit Index 

  Exhibit Title

Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Cutera, Inc., Registrant, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as 
Escrow Agent, dated December 30, 2011.

3.1(1) (P)

  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.

3.2(2) (P)

  Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant.

4.1(3)

  Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock.

4.2(3)

Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2007, by and among the Registrant, BlueLine Capital 
Partners, LP; BlueLine Capital Partners III, LP and BlueLine Capital Partners II, LP.

4.3(4)

Amendment No. 1 to Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2009.

4.4(21)

Form of senior indenture, to be entered into between the Registrant and the trustee designated therein.

4.5(21)

Form of senior note with respect to each particular series of senior notes.

4.6(21)

Form of subordinated indenture to be entered into between the Registrant and the trustee designated therein.

4.7(21)

Form of subordinated note with respect to each particular series of subordinated notes.

4.8(21)

Form of warrant with respect to each warrant.

4.9(21)

Certificate of designation, preferences and rights with respect to any preferred stock.

4.10(21)

Form of Depositary Agreement with respect to the depositary shares.

4.11(21)

Form of Subscription Agreement.

4.12(21)

Form of Unit with respect to any contractual units.

10.1(18)

Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement dated February 9, 2016 by and between Zappettini Investment Co. 
and the Registrant.

73

 
  
  
 
 
 
Exhibits

  Exhibit Title

10.2(20)

  Form of Indemnification Agreement with directors and officers.

10.3(5)

Lease Agreement dated December 6, 1996 by and between Zappettini Investment Co. and the Registrant, as 
amended pursuant to Amendment No. 1 dated September 15, 2003 and Amendment No. 2 dated 
December 22, 2008.

10.3.1(14)

Third Amendment to Lease Agreement dated August 4, 2014 by and between Zappettini Investment Co. and 
the Registrant.

10.3.2(23)

Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement dated January 31, 2016 by and between ZIC 12112 Terra Bella LLC 
and the Registrant.

10.3.3(24)

Triple Net Lease dated April 26, 2017 by and between ZIC 12112 Terra Bella LLC and the Registrant.

10.6(8)*

  2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

10.7(9)*

  2008 Equity Incentive Plan.

10.8(10)*   Form of 2008 Equity Incentive Plan Option Agreement.

10.9(11)*   Form of Stand-alone stock option agreement.

10.10(3)

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 31, 2007, by and among BlueLine Capital Partners, LP, 
BlueLine Capital Partners III, LP, BlueLine Capital Partners II, LP and the Registrant.

10.11(12)*   Form of 2008 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

10.12(12)*   Form of 2008 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

10.13(13)*

Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement granted to William M. Moore under the Company’s 2008 Equity 
Incentive Plan, as amended.

10.14(16)*

Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement granted to William M. Moore under the Company’s 2008 Equity 
Incentive Plan, as amended.

10.15(17)*

Change in Control Severance Agreement dated March 30, 2015, between the Registrant and William M. 
Moore. 

10.16(19)*

Change in Control Severance Agreement dated as of December 6, 2017 by and between the Company and 
George Marcellino

10.17(20)* Offer Letter between the Company and Mr. Mokari effective as of May 13, 2016.

10.18(20)*

Change in Control Severance Agreement, between the Company and Mr. Mokari

10.19(22)

Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2016, between IRIDEX Corporation and Silicon 
Valley Bank.

21.1 (1) (P)   Subsidiaries of Registrant

23.1

24.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

Consent of BPM LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

  Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

  XBRL Instance Document.

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibits

  Exhibit Title

101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

*
(1)

(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)
(12)

(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
(17)
(18)
(19)
(20)
(21)

(22)
(23)
(24)
(P)

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (No. 333-00320-LA) 
which was declared effective on February 15, 1996. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits in Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 3, 1998. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on September 7, 2007. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on April 6, 2009. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 
2009. 
Incorporated by reference to the appendix filed with the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s 2004 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders which was filed on April 30, 2004. 
Incorporated by reference to the appendix filed with the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s 2008 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders which was filed on April 24, 2008. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 filed with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 on November 21, 
2008. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.(d)(5) filed with the Registration Statement on Form SC TO-I July 30, 2009. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 
2011. 
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on March 27, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 2.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on January 4, 2012.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q on November 3, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on January 9, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-Q on May 12, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K on March 31, 2016.
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on December 6, 2017.
Incorporated by reference to the Exhibits filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on July 11, 2016,
If applicable, to be filed by amendment to the S-3 (No. 333-213094) which was declared effective on August 26, 2016, 
or as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 
incorporated by reference therein.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on November 3, 2016.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 10-K on March 31, 2016.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K on May 1, 2017.
Print filing.

Trademark Acknowledgments 

IRIDEX, the IRIDEX logo, IRIS Medical, MicroPulse, OcuLight, SmartKey, and EndoProbe, are our registered 
trademarks. G-Probe, DioPexy, DioVet, TruFocus, TrueCW, IQ 577, IQ 532, Cyclo G6, TxCell, OtoProbe, Symphony, 
EasyFit, Endoview, MoistAir and GreenTip product names are our trademarks. All other trademarks or trade names 
appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the property of their respective owners.

75

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly 
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mountain View, 
State of California, on the 14th day of March 2018. 

SIGNATURES 

IRIDEX CORPORATION

By: /s/ William M. Moore
William M. Moore
President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Atabak Mokari
Atabak Mokari
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of 
Corporate Development

/s/ Romeo R. Dizon
Romeo R. Dizon
Vice President and Controller

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and 
appoints William M. Moore, Atabak Mokari and Romeo Dizon, jointly and severally, their attorney-in-fact, each with full 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign on behalf of the undersigned any amendments to this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said 
attorneys-in-fact, or his substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the 

capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature

Title

/s/ William M. Moore  

(William M. Moore)

/s/ Atabak Mokari  
(Atabak Mokari)

/s/ Romeo R. Dizon  
(Romeo R. Dizon)

/s/ Sanford Fitch  
(Sanford Fitch)

/s/ George R. Marcellino  
(George R. Marcellino)

/s/ Ruediger Naumann-Etienne
(Ruediger Naumann-Etienne)

/s/ (Ann Rhoads)
(Ann Rhoads)

President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the 
Board 
(Principal Executive Officer)

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate 
Development
(Principal Financial Officer)

  Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

  Director

  Director

  Director

Director

76

Date

March 14, 2018

  March 14, 2018

  March 14, 2018

  March 14, 2018

  March 14, 2018

  March 14, 2018

March 14, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (333-213094) and Form S-8 
(333-197934, 333-183513, 333-161630, 333-155598, 333-147866, 333-135822, 333-127716, 333-117885, 333-107700, 333-97541, 
333-67480, 333-45736, 333-86091, 333-57573, 333-32161) of our reports dated March 14, 2018 relating to the consolidated financial 
statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017, which appear in this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K.

Exhibit 23.1

/s/ BPM LLP

San Jose, California
March 14, 2018

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, William M. Moore, certify that:  

EXHIBIT 31.1

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of IRIDEX Corporation; 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in 
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report 
is being prepared;

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 
designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and 
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by 
this report based on such evaluation; and

Disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that 
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial 
reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions):

a)

b)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and 
report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  March 14, 2018

By:  /s/ WILLIAM M. MOORE
Name: William M. Moore
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Atabak Mokari, certify that: 

EXHIBIT 31.2

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of IRIDEX Corporation; 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in 
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)

b)

c)

d)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed 
under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated 
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report 
is being prepared; 

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 
designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and 
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by 
this report based on such evaluation; and 

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during 
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that 
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial 
reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions):

a)

b)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and 
report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  March 14, 2018

By:  /s/ ATABAK MOKARI
Name: Atabak Mokari
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate 
Development
(Principal Financial Officer)

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

EXHIBIT 32.1

I, William M. Moore, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 
2002, certify that the Annual Report of IRIDEX Corporation on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 (i) fully 
complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) that information contained in 
such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of IRIDEX 
Corporation.

Date: March 14, 2018

By:  /s/ WILLIAM M. MOORE
Name: William M. Moore
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

EXHIBIT 32.2

I, Atabak Mokari, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 
certify that the Annual Report of IRIDEX Corporation on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 (i) fully complies 
with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) that information contained in such 
Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of IRIDEX 
Corporation.

Date: March 14, 2018

By:  /s/ ATABAK MOKARI
Name: Atabak Mokari
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate 
Development
(Principal Financial Officer)