• June 28, 2007

Robin Hughes, previously with Bausch & Lomb and Merck, joins STAAR Surgical Co. as VP/marketing, replacing Darcy Wendel, who is becoming an independent marketing consultant.

Monrovia, Calf.-based STAAR develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive ophthalmic products. STAAR's products are used by ophthalmic surgeons and include the Visian ICL, a tiny, flexible lens implanted to correct refractive errors, as well as innovative products designed to improve patient outcomes for cataracts and glaucoma. STAAR's ICL is approved by the FDA for use in treating myopia, has received CE Marking and is sold in more than 40 countries.

Hughes joins STAAR from H Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in marketing and strategy. Prior to founding the firm, Hughes spent 13 years at Bausch & Lomb and eight years in sales and marketing at Merck, Inc. At Bausch & Lomb, Hughes most recently was Vice President of Global Strategy and Commercialization for refractive surgery from 2002 until 2006, and was Vice President of Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from 2001 until 2002. Prior to these roles he held EMEA Director of Marketing positions at B&L in both the Surgical and Visioncare divisions.

--Tanya Irwin