1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 14, 2001 REGISTRATION NO. 333- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------ FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------------ IRIDEX CORPORATION (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

DELAWARE 77-0210467 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
1212 TERRA BELLA AVENUE MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043 (650) 940-4700 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) ------------------------ 1998 STOCK PLAN 1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (FULL TITLE OF THE PLANS) ------------------------ THEODORE A. BOUTACOFF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 1212 TERRA BELLA AVENUE MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043 (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ (650) 940-4700 (TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ COPIES TO: MARK REINSTRA, ESQ. WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION 650 PAGE MILL ROAD PALO ALTO, CA 94304-1050 (650) 493-9300 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMOUNT PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM TITLE OF SECURITIES TO TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF BE REGISTERED REGISTERED(1) PER SHARE PRICE REGISTRATION FEE(4) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock to be issued upon exercise of options granted under the 1998 Stock Plan....... 290,000 $3.70 $1,073,000.00(2) $268.25 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan................... 40,000 $3.145 $ 125,800.00(3) $ 31.45 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL.................... 330,000 $1,198,800.00 $299.70 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Amount of securities to be registered computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as the maximum number of the Registrant's Common Stock issuable under the 1998 Stock Plan and 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as applicable. (2) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of registration fee, based on the average high and low price as reported in the Nasdaq National Market on August 9, 2001. (3) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of registration fee, based on 85% of the average between the high and low prices as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on August 9, 2001 (4) Amount of registration fee was calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of Securities Act of 1933 which provides that the fee shall be $250 per $1,000,000 of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the securities proposed to be registered. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 IRIDEX CORPORATION REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement the following documents and information heretofore filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission: 1. The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2000. 2. The Company's definitive proxy statement dated May 4, 2001 filed in connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 6, 2001. 3. The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2001 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act; and. 4. The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on February 15, 1996, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and any further amendment or report filed hereafter for the purpose of updating such description. All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. Not applicable. ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. The validity of the issuance of shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the Registrant by Wilson Sonsini & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto, California. Mark Reinstra, a member of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, is Assistant Secretary of the Registrant. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") provides in relevant part that "[a] corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful." With respect to derivative actions, Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides in relevant part that "[a] corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor . . . [by reason of the person's service in one of the capacities specified in the preceding sentence] against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and 1

3 reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper." The Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director of the Registrant shall be personally liable to the Registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that no amendment or repeal of such provision shall apply to or have any effect on the right to indemnification permitted thereunder with respect to claims arising from acts or omissions occurring in whole or in part before the effective date of such amendment or repeal whether asserted before or after such amendment or repeal. The Registrant's bylaws provide for the indemnification of officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of the Registrant if such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future. The Registrant carries officer and director liability insurance with respect to certain matters, including matters arising under the Securities Act. ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. Not Applicable. ITEM 8. EXHIBITS. EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation 10.1* 1998 Stock Plan and forms of option agreement and stock purchase agreement thereunder 10.2** 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and form of subscription agreement thereunder 23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Accountants 23.2 Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1) 24.1 Power of Attorney (see page 6)
- ------------------------- * The forms of option agreement and stock purchase agreement are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated June 24, 1998 (Commission File No. 333-57573). ** The form of subscription agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on form S-8 dated June 24, 1998 (Commission File No. 333-57573). 2

4 ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS. A) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: 1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. 2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering. B) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. C) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. 3

5 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto, duly authorized, in the City of Mountain View, State of California, on August 14, 2001. IRIDEX CORPORATION By: /s/ THEODORE A. BOUTACOFF ------------------------------------ Theodore A. Boutacoff President and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Theodore A. Boutacoff and Robert Kamenski, and each of them, their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf of the undersigned any amendment or amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to perform any acts necessary in order to file such amendments, and each of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or their or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed on August 14, 2001 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

SIGNATURE TITLE --------- ----- /s/ THEODORE A. BOUTACOFF President and Chief Executive Officer - ----------------------------------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer) Theodore A. Boutacoff /s/ ROBERT KAMENSKI Chief Financial Officer - ----------------------------------------------------- (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Robert Kamenski /s/ JOHN M. NEHRA Chairman of the Board - ----------------------------------------------------- John M. Nehra /s/ ROBERT K. ANDERSON Director - ----------------------------------------------------- Robert K. Anderson /s/ WILLIAM BOEGER, III Director - ----------------------------------------------------- William Boeger, III /s/ JAMES L. DONOVAN Director - ----------------------------------------------------- James L. Donovan /s/ DONALD L. HAMMOND Director - ----------------------------------------------------- Donald L. Hammond /s/ JOSHUA MAKOWER Director - ----------------------------------------------------- Joshua Makower
4

6 INDEX TO EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 5.1 Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation 10.1* 1998 Stock Plan and forms of option agreement and stock purchase agreement thereunder 10.2** 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and form of subscription agreement thereunder 23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Accountants 23.2 Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1) 24.1 Power of Attorney (see page 4)
- --------------- * The forms of option agreement and stock purchase agreement are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated June 24, 1998 (Commission File No. 333-57573). ** The form of subscription agreement is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on form S-8 dated June 24, 1998 (Commission file No. 333-57573).

1 Exhibit 5.1 August 14, 2001 IRIDEX Corporation 1212 Terra Bella Avenue Mountain View, CA 94043 RE: REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 14, 2001 (the "Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") of 290,000 additional shares of Common Stock available for issuance under your 1998 Stock Plan and 40,000 additional shares of Common Stock available for issuance under your 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Such shares of Common Stock are referred to herein as the "Shares," and such plans are referred to herein as the "Plans." As your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the Plans. It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner described in the Plans and pursuant to the agreements which accompany each grant or purchase under the Plans, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and non-assessable. We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto. Very truly yours, WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI Professional Corporation /s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

1 EXHIBIT 10.1 IRIDEX CORPORATION 1998 STOCK PLAN (As amended April 24, 2001) 1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Plan are: o to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, o to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and o to promote the success of the Company's business. Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan. 2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply: (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan. (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the administration of stock option plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are, or will be, granted under the Plan. (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan. (f) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company. (g) "Company" means IRIDEX Corporation, a Delaware corporation. (h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity and any person designated as a key medical advisor by the Company. (i) "Director" means a member of the Board. (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

2 (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company. (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows: (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator. (n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option. (p) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock Purchase Right grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement. (q) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. (r) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan. (s) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

3 (t) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price. (u) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right. (v) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right granted under the Plan. (w) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code. (x) "Plan" means this 1998 Stock Plan. (y) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan. (z) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant. (aa) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan. (bb) "Section 16(b) " means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. (cc) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or Consultant. (dd) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan. (ee) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant. (ff) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code. 3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold under the Plan is 930,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan, except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan. 4. Administration of the Plan. (a) Procedure.

4 (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers. (ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. (iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3. (iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws. (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion: (i) to determine the Fair Market Value; (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder; (iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder; (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan; (v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine; (vi) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock Purchase Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall have declined since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted; (vii) to institute an Option Exchange Program; (viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards granted pursuant to the Plan; (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;

5 (x) to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase Right (subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan; (xi) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by an Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; (xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator; and (xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights. 5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. 6. Limitations. (a) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. (b) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause. (c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options: (i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal year of the Company, Options to purchase more than 150,000 Shares. (ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a Service Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 100,000 Shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i) above. (iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in Section 13.

6 (iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted against the limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option. 7. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan. 8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that (i) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement and (ii) in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement. 9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration. (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following: (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. (B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator. In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction. (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. (c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

7 (i) cash; (ii) check; (iii) promissory note; (iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised; (v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement; (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or (viii) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. 10. Exercise of Option. (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan. Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised. (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the

8 term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for thirty (30) days following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan. (c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan. (d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan. (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made. 11. Stock Purchase Rights. (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such offer. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator. (b) Issuance of Shares. After payment, the Shares purchased shall be duly issued; provided, however, that the Administrator may require that the purchaser make adequate provision for any federal and state withholding obligations of the Company as a condition to the purchaser purchasing such Shares.

9 (c) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator. (d) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. (e) Rights as a Stockholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a stockholder, and shall be a stockholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13 of the Plan. 12. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Purchase Right may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable, such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate. 13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale. (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right. (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any

10 Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action. (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets. 14. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant. 15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan. (b) Stockholder Approval. The Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws. (c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to

11 exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination. 16. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required. 17. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. 18. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan. 19. Stockholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.

1 EXHIBIT 10.2 IRIDEX CORPORATION 1995 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (As amended April 24, 2001) The following constitute the provisions of the 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Iridex Corporation (the "Company") 1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section of the Code. 2. Definitions. (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the company. (b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (c) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company. (d) "Company" shall mean Iridex Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and any Designated Subsidiary of the Company. (e) "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross earnings and sales commissions, payments for overtime, shift premium, incentive compensation, incentive payments, bonuses, but exclusive of other compensation. (f) "Designated Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries which have been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan. (g) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an Employee of the Company for tax purposes whose customary employment with the Company is at least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar year. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship will be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave.

2 h. "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering Period. (i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each Offering Period. (j) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows: (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation ("Nasdaq") Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sale price for the Common Stock (or the mean of the closing bid and asked prices, if no sales were reported), as quoted on such exchange (or the exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) or system on the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or; (ii) If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but not on the Nasdaq National Market thereof) or is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or; (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Board. (iv) For purposes of the Enrollment Date of the first Offering Period under the Plan, the Fair Market Value shall be the initial price to the public as set forth in the final Prospectus included within the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock. (k) "Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately six (6) months, commencing on an Enrollment Date and terminating on an Exercise Date. The first Offering Period shall commence on the effective date of the Company's initial public offering of its Common Stock that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Effective Date") and shall terminate on the last Trading Day of the month which is six months from the Effective Date. Thereafter, Offering Periods shall commence on the first Trading Day following termination of the prior Offering Period and shall terminate on the last Trading Day of the sixth month following commencement of such Offering Period. (l) "Plan" shall mean this 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (m) "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the Exercise Date, whichever is lower. -2-

3 (n) "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under option. (o) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary. (p) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges and the NASDAQ System are open for trading. 3. Eligibility. (a) Any Employee (as defined in Section 2(g)), who shall be employed by the Company on a given Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. (b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent, immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent his or her rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries to accrue at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time. 4. Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive Offering Periods. The first Offering Period shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on the last Trading Day of the month that is six months from the Effective Date. Thereafter, Offering Periods shall commence on the first Trading Day following Exercise Date of the prior Offering Period and shall terminate on the last Trading Day of the sixth month following commencement of such Offering Period. The Board shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods (including the commencement dates thereof) with respect to future offerings without shareholder approval if such change is announced at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter. 5. Participation. (a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's Personnel Department office not later than one day prior to the applicable Enrollment Date. -3-

4 (b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof. -4-

5 6. Payroll Deductions. (a) At the time a participant files his or her subscription agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day during an Offering Period in an amount not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering Period. (b) All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited to his or her account under the Plan and will be withheld in whole percentages only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such account. (c) A participant may discontinue his or her participation in the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, but may not otherwise increase or decrease the rate of his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period. A participant's subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof. (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a participant's payroll deductions may be decreased to 0% at such time during any Offering Period which is scheduled to end during the current calendar year (the "Current Offering Period") that the aggregate of all payroll deductions which were previously used to purchase stock under the Plan in a prior Offering Period which ended during that calendar year plus all payroll deductions accumulated with respect to the Current Offering Period equal $21,250. Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate provided in such participant's subscription agreement at the beginning of the first Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof. (e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time, the Company may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by the Employee. 7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted an option to purchase on the Exercise Date of such Offering Period (at the applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the participant's account as of the Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price. In no event shall an Employee be permitted to purchase on the Exercise Date of any Offering Period a number of shares greater than, as of the first day of the Offering Period, two times the Employee's initial payroll deduction amount times the number of payroll periods in the Offering Period divided by the per share Fair Market Value. Moreover, no -5-

6 Employee shall be permitted to purchase more than 1,000 shares in any twelve-month period. All such purchases shall also be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 12 hereof. Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof, and shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period. 8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of full shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a full share shall be carried over in the participant's account into the next Offering Period. During a participant's lifetime, a participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her. 9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on which a purchase of shares occurs, the shares shall be credited to an account in the participant's name with a brokerage firm selected by the Plan Committee to hold the shares in it's street name. 10. Withdrawal; Termination of Employment. (a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the payroll deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or her option under the Plan at any time up to two weeks prior to any Exercise Date by giving written notice to the Company in the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll deductions credited to his or her account will be paid to such participant promptly after receipt of notice of withdrawal, such participant's option for the Offering Period will be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions for the purchase of shares will be made during the Offering Period. If a participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions will not resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant delivers to the Company a new subscription agreement. (b) Upon a participant's ceasing to be an Employee (as defined in Section 2(g) hereof) for any reason, he or she will be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan and the payroll deductions credited to such participant's account during the Offering Period but not yet used to exercise the option will be returned to such participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 14 hereof, and such participant's option will be automatically terminated. The preceding sentence notwithstanding, a participant who receives payment in lieu of notice of termination of employment shall be treated as continuing to be an Employee for the participant's customary number of hours per week of employment during the period in which the participant is subject to such payment in lieu of notice. (c) A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period will not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the participant withdraws. -6-

7 11. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a participant in the Plan. 12. Stock. (a) The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be three hundred and forty thousand (340,000) shares, subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 18 hereof. If on a given Exercise Date the number of shares with respect to which options are to be exercised exceeds the number of shares then available under the Plan, the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for purchase in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be equitable. (b) The participant will have no interest or voting right in shares covered by his option until such option has been exercised. (c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan will be registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant and his or her spouse. 13. Administration. (a) Administrative Body. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties. (b) Rule 16b-3 Limitations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (a) of this Section 13, in the event that Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or any successor provision ("Rule 16b-3") provides specific requirements for the administrators of plans of this type, the Plan shall be administered only by such a body and in such a manner as shall comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3. 14. Designation of Beneficiary. (a) A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to an Exercise Date on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such participant of such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death prior to exercise of the option. If a participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such designation to be effective. -7-

8 (b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such participant's death, the Company shall deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate. 15. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as provided in Section 14 hereof) by the participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof. 16. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions. 17. Reports. Individual accounts will be maintained for each participant in the Plan. Statements of account will be given to participating Employees at least annually, which statements will set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any. 18. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization. (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the Reserves as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option. (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action, unless otherwise provided by the Board. -8-

9 (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each option under the Plan shall be assumed or an equivalent option shall be substituted by such successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such successor corporation, unless the Board determines, in the exercise of its sole discretion and in lieu of such assumption or substitution, to shorten the Offering Period then in progress by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date") or to cancel each outstanding right to purchase and refund all sums collected from participants during the Offering Period then in progress. If the Board shortens the Offering Period then in progress in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for his option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that his option will be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date he has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof. For purposes of this paragraph, an option granted under the Plan shall be deemed to be assumed if, following the sale of assets or merger, the option confers the right to purchase or receive, for each share of option stock subject to the option immediately prior to the sale of assets or merger, the consideration (whether stock, cash or other securities or property) received in the sale of assets or merger by holders of Common Stock for each share of Common Stock held on the effective date of the transaction (and if such holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the sale of assets or merger was not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code), the Board may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon exercise of the option to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock and the sale of assets or merger. The Board may, if it so determines in the exercise of its sole discretion, also make provision for adjusting the Reserves, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each outstanding option, in the event the Company effects one or more reorganizations, recapitalizations, rights offerings or other increases or reductions of shares of its outstanding Common Stock, and in the event of the Company being consolidated with or merged into any other corporation. 19. Amendment or Termination. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and for any reason amend or terminate the Plan. Except as provided in Section 18 hereof, no such termination can affect options previously granted. Except as provided in Section 18 hereof, no amendment may make any change in any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Rule 16b-3 or under Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision or any other applicable law or regulation), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as required. (b) Without shareholder consent, the Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld -9-

10 during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars (with respect to participants who are not United States residents), permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections (provided, however, that the Company may not withhold more than the aggregate amount of payroll deductions designated to be withheld by a participant in any Offering Period), establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the participant's Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Board (or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent with the Plan. 20. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof. 21. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law. 22. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the shareholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 19 hereof. -10-

1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 29, 2001, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of IRIDEX Corporation, which appears in IRIDEX Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2000. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP San Jose, California August 14, 2001