EX-10.19 12 a2041391zex-10_19.htm EX-10.19 Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION www.edgaradvantage.com
QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


SECOND MODIFICATION TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

    This Second Modification to Employment Agreement ("Modification") is dated as of the 6th day of October 2000 and is made by and between STAAR Surgical Company, a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") and Steven L. Ziemba (the "Executive") based on the following:


RECITALS

    A.  On January 1, 1994 the Executive agreed to render services to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in that certain "Employment Agreement" signed by the Executive and by the Company.

    B.  Pursuant to paragraph 12(c)(i) of the Employment Agreement, the Company and the Executive wish to modify its terms and conditions.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises contained in this Modification and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:


AGREEMENT

    1.  Modification to Paragraph 6(d).  Paragraph 6(d) shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall appear in its place:

      Election by Company due to a Change of Control. If Executive's employment is terminated by Company due to the sale or disposition by Company of substantially all of its business or assets or the sale of the capital stock of Company in connection with the sale or transfer of a controlling interest in Company to a third party or the merger or consolidation of Company with another corporation as part of a sale or transfer of a controlling interest in Company to a third party, Executive shall receive, in lieu of any other rights or benefits under this Agreement, one (1) year's salary, and any option held by Executive which is unvested on the date of termination shall immediately vest. "A controlling interest" shall be defined as 50% or more of the common stock of the Company. "One (1) year's salary" shall be defined as only the cash compensation paid to Executive pursuant to subparagraph 4(a), as it may be modified from time to time, and shall not include employee benefits, stock options, automobile allowance or debt forgiveness, if any.

    2.  All Other Terms and Conditions to Remain the Same.  The Company and the Executive agree that all other terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement, as amended, shall remain the same.


    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Modification as of the date first written above.

    "Company"
STAAR Surgical Company

 

 

By:

 

/s/ 
ANDREW F. POLLET   
Andrew F. Pollet, Chairman of the Board

 

 

"Executive"

 

 

 

 

/s/ 
STEVEN L. ZIEMBA   
Steven L. Ziemba



QuickLinks

SECOND MODIFICATION TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
RECITALS
AGREEMENT