Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2019	Jul. 26, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 28, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	STAAR SURGICAL CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000718937
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Trading Symbol	STAA
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,542,965
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	0-11634
Entity Tax Identification Number	953797439
Entity Address, Address Line One	25651 Atlantic Ocean Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Lake Forest
Entity Address, State or Province	California
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92630
City Area Code	626
Local Phone Number	303-7902