Theodore A. Boutacoff Chief Executive Officer (650) 940-4700

Mountain View, California

IRIDEX ANNOUNCES JAMES MACKANESS WILL BE CHIEF

IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today announced that James H. Mackaness, 44, will join the

Company as Chief Financial Officer effective January 2, 2008.

Mr. Mackaness is currently Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for NextHop

Technologies, Inc., a networking wireless technology company. Previously, he served as Vice

President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for InfoGear Technology Corp., a company that

developed and manufactured managed Internet appliances. While at InfoGear, Mr. Mackaness assisted

with the sale of the company to Cisco Systems where he held a senior management position

responsible for Business Development. Prior to his position at InfoGear, he served as Assistant

Controller at Electroglas Inc., a manufacturer of inspection equipment for the semiconductor

industry. Before Electroglas, Mr. Mackaness spent seven years at Ernst Young where he advanced to

the position of Audit Manager.

Mr. Mackaness, a Chartered Accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of

England and Wales, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of

Jim will be a great addition to IRIDEX, commented Theodore A. Boutacoff, President CEO. He

will provide a good balance of solid accounting financial controls expertise with an

understanding of what is required to optimize operational performance. As part of a transition

plan, Jim will spend time at IRIDEX prior to his start date and will continue to provide support to

NextHop during the first quarter of 2008.

IRIDEX Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of therapeutic based laser systems, disposable

laser probes and delivery devices to treat eye diseases in ophthalmology and skin disorders in the

aesthetics market. 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 97

independent distributors into 107 countries. For further information, visit the Company s website

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 the transition of Mr. Mackaness to the Company and the timing and impact of his

contributions. Actual results could differ materially and adversely from those projected in the

forward- looking statements. Please see a detailed description of the Company s risks contained in

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended

December 30, 2006 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.