Bailey’s history with the firm spans nearly a decade, beginning with his tenure as president and chief executive from 2001 to 2008. During those years, he spearheaded the introduction of implantable collamer lenses into the Asian market and championed the development of the central port technology, an innovation that removed the requirement for peripheral iridotomy laser procedures. Under his initial leadership, the company also secured essential FDA approval for its lenses in 2005 and successfully raised over $60 million in capital.

Following his departure from Staar, Bailey held leadership roles at several medical technology firms, including a stint as chief executive of the Swiss glaucoma diagnostics company Sensimed and a position heading the U.S. women’s health division at Medicem. His return marks a strategic reunion for the lens maker as it seeks to leverage his deep familiarity with its core product history and international market expansion.