** Shares of implantable eye lens maker STAAR Surgical STAA.O fell 33.7% to $14.50 premarket
** Co posts Q4 sales of $48.95 million, missing analyst's estimates of $77.29 million - LSEG data
** Sees sales of its lenses, excluding China, of about $165 million to $175 million for 2025
** Expects China sales of less than $5 million in H1 2025 for its lenses, as distributors work through existing inventory amid weak demand for eye surgeries
** Sees China sales of about $75 million to $125 million in H2
** Co plans to implement cost cuts this year in light of a lower revenue forecast, does not expect to meet its previously set sales target for 2026
** Brokerage Stifel says STAA shares have faced pressure in recent quarters due to a deteriorating China market, but investor fears likely to grow due to increased inventory levels
** In the last 12 months, STAA has fallen about 30%
(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)
((Siddhiprabhanjan.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))
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