<PAGE>



                                                                      EXHIBIT 21


                        LIST OF SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation
                                                  or Organization of each such Significant
                                                 Subsidiary, and Names (if any) under which
Name of Significant Subsidiary                 Each such Significant Subsidiary does Business
-----------------------------------         ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>
STAAR Surgical AG                                               Switzerland
</TABLE>



