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IRIDEX Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results

- Fourth Consecutive Profitable Quarter
- Record Operating Income for the Year
- Generated $6.8 Million of Cash for the Year

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 4, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended January 2, 2010.

For the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a net profit of $0.5 million or $0.06 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $6.5 million or $(0.74) per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2008. Gross margins improved to 45.6% from 37.5%, although revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $11.6 million, a 4.8% decrease from the $12.1 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2008. For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010, the Company recorded a net profit of $2.6 million or $0.29 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $7.4 million or $(0.84) per diluted share reported for 2008. Gross margins improved to 46.9% from 40.6%, although revenue for the full year 2009 was $43.2 million, an 11.0% decrease from the $48.5 million reported for 2008.

In 2008, the fourth quarter and full year results included an impairment charge of $5.4 million for write down of goodwill and intangible assets which represented $0.61 per diluted share.

"Our cash generation remains excellent. We have generated $6.8 million in cash from operations for the year. Our cash balance now stands at $9.4 million and we have reduced our bank debt from $6.0 million to $3.5 million" stated Mr. Theodore A. Boutacoff, President and CEO. "We continue to see the benefits of creating a very efficient and scalable business."

"We have recorded our fourth consecutive quarter of profitability. Our operating income for the year was $2.5 million an all time high for the Company, compared to 2008 where the Company had an operating loss of $2.2 million (excluding impairment charges). This is an outstanding achievement especially given the current economy. We are particularly pleased with the improvement in gross margins and the fact that we have sustained these improvements throughout the year, and we continue to control our operating expenses. In summary, we met our 2009 objectives of being cash flow positive, driving to profitability and positioning ourselves for future growth."

"During the fourth quarter we saw a very steady order rate for Ophthalmology Equipment which adds to our confidence for 2010. We see broadening interest in our recently introduced IQ 577 yellow laser. These facts, together with other initiatives we are undertaking, provide new growth opportunities for 2010. Looking forward, based on our performance for 2009, our financial model has our gross margins in the range of 45% to 50% with operating expenses between 40% and 42% for the year; and we are making progress towards our long term goals of 55% gross margins and 40% operating expenses."

Conference Call

IRIDEX management will conduct a conference call later today, Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties may access the live conference call via telephone by dialing (877) 941-8609 (U.S.) or (480) 629-9818 (International) and quoting Conference ID 4244509, or by visiting the Company's website at http://www.iridex.com/. A telephone replay will be available beginning on Thursday, March 4, 2010 through Thursday, March 11, 2010 by dialing (800) 406-7325 (U.S.) or (303) 590-3030 (International) and entering Access Code 4244509. In addition, later today an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Company's website at http://www.iridex.com/.

About IRIDEX

IRIDEX Corporation was founded in 1989 and is a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems and delivery devices. We provide solutions for multiple specialties, including ophthalmology, dermatology and otolaryngology. We maintain a deep commitment to the success of our customers, with comprehensive technical, clinical, and service support programs. IRIDEX is dedicated to a standard of excellence, offering superior technology for superior results. IRIDEX products are sold in the United States through a direct sales force and internationally through a combination of a direct sales force and a network of approximately 100 independent distributors into 107 countries. For further information, visit the Company's website at http://www.iridex.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, relating to the Company's scalable business model, operating expense controls, product demand, growth strategy and prospects, and expected gross margin and operating expense levels for 2010 and in the longer term. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Please see a detailed description of these and other risks contained in our Quarterly Report on From 10-Q for the quarter ended October 3, 2009 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2009, each of which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and will not be updated.

                                IRIDEX Corporation
                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                         (In thousands, except per share data)
                                    (unaudited)

                              Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                             January 2,  January 3,  January 2,  January 3,
                                2010        2009        2010        2009
                                ----        ----        ----        ----

    Revenues                  $11,563     $12,145     $43,212     $48,528
    Cost of revenues            6,289       7,592      22,939      28,849
                                -----       -----      ------      ------
        Gross profit            5,274       4,553      20,273      19,679
                                -----       -----      ------      ------

    Operating expenses:
      Research and
       development                974       1,015       3,609       4,009
      Sales and marketing       2,507       2,987       9,273      10,998
      General and
       administrative           1,006       1,498       4,873       6,844
      Impairment of
       goodwill and
       intangible assets            -       5,364           -       5,364
                                  ---       -----         ---       -----
        Total operating
         expenses               4,487      10,864      17,755      27,215
                                -----      ------      ------      ------

    Income (loss) from
     operations                   787      (6,311)      2,518      (7,536)
       Legal settlement             -           -         800         800
      Interest and other
       expense, net               (40)        (81)       (237)       (507)
                                  ---         ---        ----        ----
    Income (loss) before
     income taxes                 747      (6,392)      3,081      (7,243)
      Provision for income
       taxes                      230         111         496         127
                                  ---         ---         ---         ---
    Net income (loss)            $517     $(6,503)     $2,585     $(7,370)
                                 ====     =======      ======     =======


    Net income (loss)
     per share - basic          $0.06      $(0.74)      $0.29      $(0.84)
                                =====      ======       =====      ======
    Net income (loss)
     per share - diluted        $0.06      $(0.74)      $0.29      $(0.84)
                                =====      ======       =====      ======

    Shares used in
     computing net
     income (loss) per
     share - basic              8,847       8,824       8,840       8,824
                                =====       =====       =====       =====
    Shares used in
     computing net
     income (loss) per
     share - diluted            8,928       8,824       8,940       8,824
                                =====       =====       =====       =====



                                IRIDEX Corporation
                       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                  (In thousands)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                      January 2,  January 3,
                                                         2010        2009
                                                         ----        ----
                        Assets                       (unaudited)
                        ------
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                         $9,378      $5,307
      Accounts receivable, net                           7,482       8,199
      Inventories, net                                   8,999      11,644
      Prepaids and other current assets                    470         540
                                                           ---         ---
        Total current assets                            26,329      25,690
       Property and equipment, net                         486         832
       Other intangible assets, net                      1,153       1,474
      Other long term assets                               323         229
                                                           ---         ---
        Total assets                                   $28,291     $28,225
                                                       =======     =======


         Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
         ------------------------------------
    Current Liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                  $1,872      $2,415
      Bank line of credit                                3,520       6,000
      Accrued compensation                               2,171       1,729
      Accrued expenses                                   1,983       2,249
      Accrued warranty                                   1,165       1,345
      Deferred revenue                                   2,405       2,741
                                                         -----       -----
        Total current liabilities                       13,116      16,479

    Long Term Liabilties:
      Deferred rent                                        149           -
                                                           ---         ---
    Total liabilities                                   13,265      16,479

    Stockholders' Equity:
       Convertible preferred stock                           5           5
      Common Stock                                          89          89
      Additional paid-in capital                        39,820      39,105
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss                (212)       (192)
      Treasury stock, at cost                             (430)       (430)
      Accumulated deficit                              (24,246)    (26,831)
                                                       -------     -------
        Total stockholders' equity                      15,026      11,746
                                                        ------      ------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity     $28,291     $28,225
                                                       =======     =======





SOURCE IRIDEX Corporation