In May 1999, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had decided to divest the ophthalmology business, which accounted for approximately 16% of sales in fiscal 1999. The Company substantially completed the sale of the assets of the Ophthalmology division in three separate transactions throughout fiscal year 2000. Accordingly, results of operations of the ophthalmic business are reported, on a net basis, as a single line on the financials as discontinued operations.

The following table sets forth various items from the Consolidated Statements of Income as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

The Company recognizes product revenue, net of discounts, returns, and rebates in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 48, "Revenue Recognition When the Right of Return Exists", and Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No.101. As required by these standards, revenue is recorded when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the buyer's price is fixed or determinable, contractual obligations have been satisfied, and collectibility is reasonably assured. These requirements are met, and sales and related cost of sales are recognized primarily upon the shipment of products, or in the case of consignment inventories, upon the notification of usage by the customer. The Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and other volume-based incentives. Should the actual level of customer participation in these programs differ from those estimated by the Company, additional adjustments to revenue are recorded. The Company also allows credit for products returned within its policy terms. The Company records at the time of sale an allowance for estimated returns, based on historical experience, recent gross sales levels and any notification of pending returns. Should the actual returns differ from those estimated by the Company, additional adjustments to revenue and cost of sales may be required.

The Company markets its products to a diverse customer base, principally throughout the United States, Canada and Western Europe. The Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business to its customers, primarily hospitals, doctors and distributors. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer's current credit worthiness, as determined through review of their current credit information. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from customers and maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of some of its customers to make required payments. Estimated losses are based on historical experience and any specifically identified customer collection issues.  If the financial condition of the Company's customers, or the economy as whole, were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. These adjustments would be included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost, based on the first-in first-out ("FIFO") cost method, or the current estimated market value of the inventory. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual future demand or market conditions differ from those projected by management, additional inventory valuation adjustments may be required. These adjustments would be included in cost of goods sold.

The Company currently evaluates long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill and other intangibles, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges for these assets. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," effective April 1, 2002 and will be required to analyze its goodwill for impairment issues during the first quarter of fiscal 2003, and then on a periodic basis thereafter. These impairment charges would be included in the results of operations.

Sales for fiscal 2002 increased to $321 million from $269 million in 2001, an increase of 19%. Included in fiscal 2002 sales are twelve months of surgical urology and clinical and consumer healthcare product sales relating to the February 2001 acquisition of Porges S.A., compared to two months of sales included in the fiscal 2001. Porges product sales accounted for fifteen percentage points of the year-to-year growth. Sales also were negatively affected by the continued strength of the U.S. Dollar versus other currencies and the general economic slowdown in the economy. Foreign exchange rate movements had an unfavorable year-to-year impact on international sales of $1.4 million, or less than 1% of consolidated sales.

Sales of aesthetic and general surgery products increased 4% to $163 million from $157 million in the prior year. The Company believes that the modest growth in aesthetic product sales was primarily the result of the general economic slowdown in fiscal 2002, and the events of September 11, 2001. The sales of aesthetic product used in cosmetic surgeries were substantially even with prior year sales, as these product sales are affected more than the Company's other aesthetic products and segments by general economic conditions, as a higher proportion of these cosmetic surgeries are paid directly by the patient. However, the sales of aesthetic products used in reconstructive surgeries increased 21% over prior year sales, as a high proportion of these product sales are reimbursed by third party payers.

Sales for fiscal 2001 increased to $269 million from $249 million in 2000, an increase of 8%. Sales were negatively affected by the continued strength of the U.S. Dollar versus other currencies and the general economic slowdown in the economy. Included in fiscal 2001 are approximately two months of surgical urology and clinical and consumer healthcare product sales from the February 2001 acquisition of Porges S.A. Porges product sales accounted for three percentage points of the year-to-year growth. Foreign exchange rate movements had an unfavorable year-to-year impact on international sales of $2.4 million, or approximately 1% of consolidated sales.

Sales of aesthetic and general surgery products increased 5% to $157 million from $150 million in the prior year. Sales of products for reconstruction increased 6% while products used in cosmetic augmentation increased 1%. Sales of body contouring (liposuction) products declined by 14% compared to the previous year. The aesthetic product segment is affected more than the Company's other segments by general economic conditions, as a higher proportion of these surgeries are paid directly by the patient.

Sales of clinical and consumer healthcare products increased 7% from the prior year. Strong growth in the sales of intermittent catheters of 12% was partially offset by a slight decline in male external catheter sales. The results include two months of sales from the February 2001 acquisition of Porges S.A.

The Company's export sales to independent distributors accounted for 4%, 5% and 6% of net sales for fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. In addition, 28%, 16%, and 13%, respectively, of sales in each year were from the Company's direct international sales offices.

Over the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, sales increases, including the effects of acquisitions, have been primarily the result of increased unit sales. General selling price changes have not been significant in recent years.

Cost of sales was 40.6% of net sales for fiscal 2002, compared to 38.9% in fiscal 2001. Fiscal 2002 included Porges product sales for the entire year as opposed to two months in fiscal year 2001. Porges products have an average cost of sales of approximately 60% as compared to a historic average of 38% for the rest of the Company's products and, consequently, the additional Porges product sales have diluted the gross margin product mix. This dilution was partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies in the aesthetic and clinical and consumer healthcare products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were 34.7% of net sales in fiscal 2002 compared to 37.3%, exclusive of the restructuring charge, in fiscal 2001. The decrease as a percentage of net sales reflects cost savings from the Company's restructuring of corporate staff during the second and third quarters of fiscal 2001 and the recent acquisition of Porges which has a lower percentage of selling, general and administrative expenses to net sales than the rest of the Company.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of the restructuring charge, were 37.3% of net sales in fiscal 2001 compared to 39.5% in fiscal 2000. The decrease reflects lower spending on the Company's direct-to-consumer advertising campaign partially offset by increases in product liability reserves and information technology costs. In addition, cost savings from the Company's restructuring of corporate staff contributed to the improvement.

During fiscal 2001, the Company announced a reduction in corporate staff at its headquarters in Santa Barbara as part of a restructuring move to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Employees affected by the restructuring were provided with a severance package, outplacement counseling and extended benefits to help with the transition. This program resulted in a restructuring charge included in general and administrative expenses of $2.4 million.

Research and development expenses were 6.8% of net sales in fiscal 2002, a slight decrease from 7.3% in fiscal 2001. Overall spending on research and development increased by 11% from the prior year. Fiscal 2002 development costs relate primarily to the Company's automated brachytherapy workstation, accelerated product enhancement projects for existing products and new product development. Fiscal year 2002 also includes research and development costs related to Porges products, for which research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales have historically been lower than those for the Company's other products. Although the Company has successfully completed several PMAA submissions related to mammary and penile implants in recent years, the amount of spending on research and development is not expected to decrease as the focus of the Company's research and development efforts shifts towards product enhancements and new product development. In addition, the Company is committed to a variety of clinical and laboratory studies in connection with its gel-filled and saline filled mammary implants and other products.

Research and development expenses were 7.3% of net sales in fiscal 2001, an increase from 6.7% in the prior year. The increase was attributable to spending on the Company's ongoing clinical studies related to silicone gel mammary implants. In May 2000, the Company received FDA approval for saline-filled breast implants and, in July 2000 received similar regulatory clearance on our inflatable penile implants.

Interest expense increased to $859 thousand in fiscal 2002, from $276 thousand in fiscal 2001. In January 2001, the Company acquired the assets of South Bay Medical LLC. Approximately $7 million of the purchase price was recorded as a long-term accrued liability at net present value. In December 2001, an additional $1.7 million of long-term accrued liability was recorded at net present value related to the acquisition of certain intangible rights from ProSurg, Inc. Imputed interest on these liabilities is charged to interest expense. This imputed interest and balances outstanding on several lines of credit established to facilitate operating cash flow needs at our foreign subsidiaries accounted for the increase in interest expense over the prior year. In fiscal 2002, $196 thousand of interest incurred on a line of credit to finance the construction of a new foreign manufacturing facility was capitalized.

Interest expense increased to $276 thousand in fiscal 2001, from $34 thousand in fiscal 2000. In the first quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company borrowed and repaid $6 million to temporarily fund its stock repurchase program. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company borrowed $14 million to fund its acquisition of Porges S.A. There were no borrowings in fiscal 2000, and the Company repaid $4 million borrowed in 1999 to temporarily fund the stock repurchase program.

Interest income decreased from $4.2 million in 2001 to $2.2 million in fiscal 2002. The decrease is due to lower cash and marketable security balances, lower prevailing interest rates on short term investments, and a shift in the Company's investment strategy from taxable commercial paper which has a higher pretax yield to tax free municipal bonds and similar tax advantaged investment vehicles which currently have a higher after-tax yield.

Interest income increased to $4.2 million in 2001 from $3.0 million in fiscal year 2000. The increase is a result of higher cash balances from operations and $59 million in proceeds from the sale of the assets of the ophthalmic business reported as discontinued operations which was only available for investment part of fiscal 2000. Further, the Company increased its use of fully taxable investments, which have a higher coupon rate and also benefited from higher prevailing interest rates.

Other income, net primarily includes gains or losses on sales of marketable securities, disposal of assets, and foreign currency gains or losses related to the Company's foreign operations. In fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $3 million permanent impairment of its equity investment in Intracel Corporation. This impairment charge was offset by realized gains on the disposition of marketable securities recorded as long-term marketable securities available for sale. During fiscal 2002, the Company recorded an additional $3 million write-down of the Company's investment in Intracel Corporation upon its bankruptcy filing. At March 31, 2002 the investment in Intracel Corporation is carried at no value. Other income, net for fiscal 2002, also includes a one-time gain of $700 thousand related to the settlement of a dispute with Paradigm Medical Industries, a one-time foreign exchange gain of $720 thousand on the repayment of the 15 million euro loan to partially fund the acquisition of Porges S.A., the realized gains on the disposition of long-term marketable securities available-for-sale of $1.3 million.

In fiscal year 2001, the Company recorded a $1 million realized gain on the disposition of marketable securities recorded as long-term marketable securities available for sale.

The effective rate of corporate income taxes was 29.4% for fiscal 2002 and 31.6% for fiscal 2001. The decrease in the effective tax rate from fiscal 2001 to fiscal 2002 is a result of a higher proportion of income from foreign operations with lower tax rates, increased tax-exempt interest income, tax credits related to research and development, and a refund received in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002 related to the amendment of prior year tax returns for the Company's foreign sales corporation.

The effective rate of corporate income taxes was approximately 31.6% for fiscal 2001, a slight decrease from the fiscal 2000 rate of 32.0%.

In December 1998, the Company announced a restructuring plan as part of a strategic initiative to improve the profitability and competitiveness of the ophthalmic segment of its business by reducing manufacturing costs and concentrating on those products and markets capable of sustained, long-term profitable growth. During the implementation of this plan, the Board of Directors authorized management to divest of the assets and product lines of the ophthalmic business segment. The divestiture was substantially completed in fiscal 2000 resulting in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $7.7 million. In fiscal 2001, the Company recorded $260 thousand of income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $140 thousand, from the resolution of certain liabilities for amounts less than recorded at the time of the sale of discontinued assets.

Income from continuing operations for fiscal 2002 was $42 million, compared to $32 million for the previous year, an increase of $10 million or 30%. Increased sales, primarily from the Porges S.A. acquisition in February 2001, lower cost of goods sold and lower operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, and a tax refund increased net income, while the write-down of the Company's investment in Intracel Corporation and lower investment income reduced net income.

Income from continuing operations for fiscal 2001 was $32 million, compared to $29 million for the previous year. Increased sales, lower operating expenses, and increased interest income contributed to the increase. Fiscal 2001 income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, was $260 thousand related to the resolution of certain liabilities for amounts less than recorded at the time of disposal.

The Company does not believe inflation has had a material impact on the Company's operations over the three-year period ended March 31, 2002.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities of $75 million and $64 million at March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. During the three years ended March 31, 2002, liquidity needs have been satisfied principally by cash flow from operations and, to a lesser extent from borrowings under the Company's line of credit. Despite significant acquisition and stock repurchase activities, the Company maintained its strong cash and financial position throughout fiscal 2002.

At March 31, 2002, working capital was $127 million compared to $112 million the previous year. The Company generated $58 million of cash from continuing operations during fiscal 2002, compared to $42 million the previous year. Increased income from continuing operations, and increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities contributed to the increased cash flow. These amounts were partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and inventory.

During fiscal 2002, the Company invested $15 million in manufacturing equipment, information technology systems, and in a new manufacturing facility in Leiden, the Netherlands. The Company anticipates investing approximately $15 million in fiscal 2003 to complete the new facility in Leiden, invest in an existing facility, purchase production equipment and upgrade and replace information technology systems.

The Company receives cash from the exercise of employee stock options. Employee stock option exercises provided $6.9 and $2.5 million of cash in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001, respectively. Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options will vary from period to period based upon, among other factors, fluctuations in the market value of the Company's common stock relative to the exercise price of such options.

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized an ongoing stock repurchase program. The objectives of the program, among other items, are to offset the dilutive effect of the Company's employee stock option program, provide liquidity to the market and to reduce the overall number of shares outstanding. Repurchases are subject to market conditions and cash availability. During fiscal 2002, the Company repurchased 732 thousand shares for consideration of $18.7 million. The Company intends to continue the share repurchase program in fiscal 2003 and 1.6 million shares remain authorized for repurchase.

Certain technologies related to the manufacture of mammary prostheses were developed under a 1983 agreement with a limited partnership whereby the limited partners contributed funds towards the development of the technology in exchange for payments based upon a percentage of future sales of the products utilizing the technology. The Company paid approximately $2 million in such payments in fiscal 2000 to the partnership. The Company was the general partner for this partnership. The agreement included an option to purchase the technology and thereby terminate the partnership. In fiscal 2001, the Company exercised its option to make a lump sum payment to the limited partners in lieu of all future payments and rights according to the Agreement of Purchase and Sale between Mentor Corporation and the partnership, as amended. The limited partners could elect to be paid in cash, the Company's common stock, or a combination. This transaction was completed in the second quarter ended September 30, 2000. The limited partners elected to be paid $1.0 million in cash and 434 thousand shares of the Company's common stock. The stock, transfer of which is restricted by Rule 144, was valued at its fair market value on the date of issuance, of approximately $9 million. The decrease in payments to the partners will be offset by the increased amortization of the new intangible asset and the additional common shares outstanding, thus having a neutral effect on earnings per share.

In January 2001, the Company completed the acquisition of South Bay Medical, a development stage company focused on the development of a new technology for a computer-based workstation and automated cartridge-based needle loading system for use in Brachytherapy procedures. The total consideration included $2 million in cash, 235,293 restricted shares of the Company's Common Stock having a fair market value of $4 million, and $13.6 million to be paid in cash or the Company's Common Stock over the next several years. These future payments have been recorded as an acquisition obligation liability at net present value ($11.2 million at March 31, 2002), and will continue to increase as imputed interest is recorded. Approximately $5.9 million of the acquisition obligation liability is to be paid in shares of the Company's Common Stock valued at fair market value on the date of issuance.

In February 2001, the Company acquired Porges S.A., subsidiary of Sanofi-Synthelabo headquartered in Paris, and with manufacturing facilities in Sarlat, France. Porges holds a leading market share for urological products in France and has strong market position throughout Europe. The cash consideration paid for Porges S.A. was $32 million.

In December 2001, Company entered into several agreements with ProSurg, Inc. to purchase certain patent rights and a supply of a bio-absorbable co-polymer product to be used the surgical treatment of incontinence. The total consideration included $2.0 million in cash and $2.7 million in short and long-term payments due over the next several years. The future payments have been recorded as an acquisition obligation liability at net present value and will increase with imputed interest to $3.0 million due over the next several years.

The Company has a secured line of credit, the "$25M Credit Agreement", for borrowings up to $25 million, which accrue interest at the prevailing prime rate or at a mark-up over LIBOR at the Company's discretion. The $25M Credit Agreement includes certain covenants that, among other things, limit the dividends the Company may pay and requires maintenance of certain levels of tangible net worth and debt service ratios. During fiscal 2002, the Company used the $25M Credit Agreement to guarantee the secured loan of a vendor, in the amount of $5.3 million, to facilitate the ramp up of production capacity related to a new product. Accordingly, although there were no borrowings outstanding under the $25M Credit Agreement at March 31, 2002, only $19.7 million was available for additional borrowings.

In addition, in February 2001, several lines of credit were established with local foreign lenders to facilitate operating cash flow needs at our foreign subsidiaries. These lines are at market rates of interest, unsecured, guaranteed by Mentor Corporation, and total $5.0 million, of which $4.4 million was outstanding, and $.6 million was available at March 31, 2002.

In fiscal 2002, a line of credit of $5.6 million was established to finance the construction of a new facility in Leiden, the Netherlands. The borrowings accrue interest at EURIBOR plus 0.75% and are secured by the new facility and other assets in the Netherlands. $4.8 million was outstanding and $.8 million was available under this line at March 31, 2002. The line of credit provides for conversion to a term loan at prevailing interest rates when construction of the new facility is completed.

At March 31, 2002, the total of short-term borrowings under all lines of credit was $9.5 million and the weighted-average interest rate was 4.10%. The total amount of additional borrowings available to the Company under all lines of credit was $21.1 million and $12.1 million at March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. At March 31, 2001, $16.6 million was outstanding under these lines of credit at a weighted average borrowing rate of 5.96%.

Since 1995, the Company has paid a quarterly cash dividend of $.025 per share. On February 13, 2001, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $.03 per share, an increase of 20%. At the current rate of $.12 per year, the aggregate annual dividend would equal approximately $2.8 million. It is the Company's intent to continue to pay dividends for the foreseeable future subject to among other things, Board approval, cash availability and alternative cash needs. The $25M Credit Agreement limits the aggregate amount of dividends payable in any year to one-half of the net income of the preceding year.

On May 6, 2002, the Company announced that it had completed the acquisition of the urology business of Portex Ltd., a subsidiary of Smiths Group plc. The acquired business manufactures and markets incontinence and ostomy products primarily for the home healthcare market. The cash consideration paid for Portex Ltd. was $10.5 million from available cash balances.

The following table summarizes contractual cash and other commercial commitments at March 31, 2002:

In addition the Company, in the ordinary course of business, has at any one time, purchase orders for raw materials and other supplies, which may in aggregate be significant but for which usage does not exceed one year.

The Company's principal source of liquidity at March 31, 2002 consisted of $75 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities, plus $21 million available under the existing lines of credit. The Company believes that funds generated from operations, its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and funds available under its line of credit agreements will be adequate to meet its working capital needs and capital expenditure investment requirements and commitments for at least the next 12 months. However, it is possible that the Company may need to raise additional funds to finance its activities beyond the next 12 months or to consummate acquisitions of other business, products or technologies. Additional funds could be raised by selling equity or debt securities to the public or to selected investors, or by borrowing money from financial institutions. In addition, even though the Company may not need additional funds, it may still elect to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain credit facilities for other reasons. The Company may not be able to obtain additional funds on terms tha t would be favorable to our shareholders and the Company, or at all. If additional funds are raised by issuing additional equity securities or convertible debt securities, the ownership percentage of existing shareholders would be reduced.  In addition, the equity or debt securities issued by the Company may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of the Company's common stock.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this Management's Discussion are forward-looking statements, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ significantly from the discussion of such matters in the forward-looking statements.

Due to the nature of the Company's products and business, the Company has been and will be involved in various legal actions arising in the course of business, some of which involve product liability and intellectual property claims. With respect to product liability issues, the litigation and regulatory risks will continue to exist even with respect to those products that have received or in the future may receive regulatory approval for commercial sale. It is possible that adverse results arising from product liability or intellectual property actions, as well as adverse results arising from regulatory or administrative proceedings, could negatively affect the Company's future results of operations.

The Company has been and may be in the future the subject of negative publicity, which can arise from various sources, ranging from the news media to legislative and regulatory investigations. There can be no assurance that such negative publicity will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's future financial position, its results of operations or the market price of its stock. In addition, significant negative publicity could result in an increase in product liability claims.

The Company's products, development activities and manufacturing processes are subject to extensive and rigorous regulation by the FDA. The FDA regulates the introduction, manufacturing, labeling and record-keeping procedures for medical devices. The process of obtaining marketing clearance and approval from the FDA for new products and existing products can be time-consuming and expensive, and there is no assurance that such clearances or approvals will be granted or that FDA review will not involve delays that would adversely affect the Company's ability to commercialize additional products or additional applications for existing products. In addition, certain of the Company's products that are in the research and development stage may be subject to a lengthy and expensive pre-market approval process with the FDA. Product approvals by the FDA can also be withdrawn due to failure to comply with regulatory standards or the occurrence of unforeseen problems following initial approval. The FDA could also limit or prevent the manufacture or distribution of the Company's products and has the power to require the recall of such products. The FDA regulations depend heavily on administrative interpretation, and there can be no assurance that future interpretations made by the FDA or other regulatory bodies will not adversely affect the Company. The FDA, various state agencies and foreign regulatory agencies inspect the Company and its facilities from time to time to determine whether the Company is in compliance with various regulations including manufacturing practices, validation, testing, quality control, product labeling, and reporting. The FDA also reviews promotional materials for compliance with requirements. A determination that the Company is in violation of such regulations could lead to imposition of penalties, product recalls, consent decrees, product seizures, civil penalties, or prosecution.

As a manufacturer of medical devices, the Company's manufacturing processes and facilities are subject to regulation and review by international regulatory agencies for products sold internationally. The Company has obtained a CE mark (CE marking indicates conformity to the Medical Device Directives) for its products sold in Europe by demonstrating compliance with the ISO 9001, EN46001 and ISO13485 international quality system standards. Medical device laws and regulations are also in effect in some of the other countries to which the Company exports its products. These range from comprehensive device approval requirements for some or all of the Company's medical device products to requests for product data or certifications. Failure to comply with these international regulatory standards and requirements could affect the Company's ability to market and sell its products in these markets and have a significant negative impact on sales and results of operations.

A significant portion of the Company's products sales are sold to health care providers whose costs are reimbursed by third-party payers including the Medicare and Medicaid programs and private payers, such as group health insurance programs and managed care plans. The Company's products are sold principally to hospitals, physicians, home health care suppliers, and others that receive reimbursement for the products and services they provide from these third-party payers. As a result, demand for the Company's products is dependent in part on the coverage and reimbursement policies of these Third-party payers. The Company's product revenue and results of operations could be affected negatively if Third-party payers discontinue or limit reimbursement for use of the Company's products, or if other treatment options are perceived to be more profitable.

Each of the Company's major business segments operates its manufacturing, warehousing and research and development activities in a single facility. While the Company has some limited protection in the form of basic insurance coverage, the Company's operating results and financial condition would be materially adversely affected in the event of a fire or similar catastrophe.

The following discussion about the Company's market risk disclosures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The Company generally does not use derivative instruments.

The Company maintains a portfolio of highly liquid cash equivalents, with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. The Company also has current marketable securities, consisting primarily of municipal bonds and commercial paper that are of limited credit risk and have contractual maturities of less than two years. Given the short-term nature of these investments, the Company is not subject to significant interest rate risk.

A portion of the Company's operations consists of sales activities in foreign markets. The Company manufactures its products primarily in the United States and Europe and sells them outside the U.S. through a combination of international distributors and wholly owned sales offices. Sales to third-party distributors and to the wholly owned sales offices are transacted in U.S. dollars or in Euros. The sales offices invoice their customers in their local currency.

As a result, the Company's financial results could be significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in those foreign markets. The principal exposure on sales to third-party distributors stems from the potential for weak economic conditions in the foreign market, thus weakening the foreign currency, decreasing the customer's buying power and potentially decreasing the Company's sales. The Company's exposure on sales to its subsidiaries consists of (1) the exposure related to a weakening local currency when payment of the related payables are made resulting in more local currency to pay off the U.S. denominated payable than when it was originally recorded, thus lowering the subsidiaries' earnings, and (2) the exposure that upon translation of the subsidiaries' monthly financial statements, a weakening local currency would cause sales made in local currency to be recorded in a lower amount of U.S. dollars than if the currency had been stable as compared to the U.S. dollar. However, in the latter instance, operating expenses would also be translated at lower amounts and, accordingly, the effect on net income would be mitigated. The Company does not currently hedge any of these exposures.

The response to this item is submitted pursuant to Item 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

None.

The information required by this item, other than the information regarding Executive Officers set forth in Item 1, Business, is herein incorporated by reference to portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.

The information required by this item is herein incorporated by reference to portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.

The information required by this item is herein incorporated by reference to portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.

The information required by this item is herein incorporated by reference to portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.

Report of ERNST & YOUNG LLP, Independent Auditors

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Mentor Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mentor Corporation as of March 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2002. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Mentor Corporation at March 31, 2002 and 2001, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Los Angeles, California

May 13, 2002

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained. For those subsidiaries where the Company owns less than 100%, the outside shareholders' interests are treated as minority interests. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Financial information presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements excludes discontinued operations, except where noted.

All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.

The Company considers its marketable securities available-for-sale as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115. Realized gains and losses and declines in value considered to be other than temporary are included in income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. For short-term marketable securities, there were no material realized or unrealized gains or losses nor any material differences between estimated fair values, based on quoted market prices, and the costs of securities in the investment portfolio as of March 31, 2002 and 2001. Short-term investments, except auction rate securities, mature between three months and one year from the purchase date. The Company's short-term marketable securities consist primarily of U.S., state and municipal government obligations auction rate securities, and investment grade corporate obligations including commercial paper. Auction rate securities carry interest or dividend rates that reset every 28 days but have contractual maturities of greater than one year.

The Company's long-term marketable securities and investments include investments in Federal Home Loan Bank and Mortgage Association bonds (FHLA bonds) with maturities of two to four years. During fiscal 1998, the Company made a $6 million equity investment in Intracel Corporation as part of an agreement to develop a bladder cancer treatment. The investment was valued at cost as quoted market prices were not available. During fiscal 2000, the Company recorded a $3 million charge to other income related to the investment. In September 2001, Intracel filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. After evaluation of the filing, the Company recorded an additional $3 million write-down as a charge to other income in the quarter ending December 31, 2001. As a result of these two write-downs, the investment in Intracel is now recorded at no value. The Company recorded a one-time gain in other income for the quarter ending December 31, 2001 upon the receipt of 350,000 shares of Paradigm in settlement of a stock registration dispute. The shares were valued at $700,000 based upon the quoted price on the date received.

During the year ended March 31, 2002, the Company sold a portion of its NASI and Paradigm securities and realized a pre-tax gain of $1.3 million, which is reflected in other income, net.

Available-for-sale investments at March 31, 2002 were as follows:

Available-for-sale investments at March 31, 2001 were as follows:

The Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business to its customers, primarily hospitals, doctors and distributors. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer's current credit worthiness, as determined through review of their current credit information. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from customers and maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Estimated losses are based on historical experience and any specific customer collection issues identified. Bad debts have been minimal. The Company does not normally require collateral or other security to support credit sales. No customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues or accounts receivable balance for any periods presented.

In the United States and in those countries where the Company has sales offices, the Company employs specialized direct sales employees. The Company also markets its products through distributors in those countries where it does not have a sales office or for certain products, particularly its disposable incontinence products, through a domestic network of independent hospital supply dealers and healthcare distributors and through retail pharmacies.

The Company recognizes product revenue, net of discounts, returns, and rebates in accordance with SFAS 48, "Revenue Recognition When the Right of Return Exists", and Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No.101. As required by these standards, revenue can be recorded when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the buyer's price is fixed or determinable, contractual obligations have been satisfied, and collectibility is reasonably assured. These requirements are met, and sales and related cost of sales are recognized primarily upon the shipment of products, or in the case of consignment inventories, upon the notification of usage by the customer. The Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and other volume-based incentives. Should customer participation in these programs exceed that estimated by the Company, additional reductions to revenue may be required. The Company also allows credit for products returned within its policy terms. The Company records an allowance for estimated returns, based on historical experience, recent gross sales levels and any notification of pending returns, at the time of sale. Should the actual returns exceed those estimated by the Company, additional reductions to revenue and cost of sales may be required.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, cost determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is based on the useful lives of the properties and computed using the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over 30 years, furniture and equipment over 3 to 10 years and leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated remaining lives or lease term. Significant improvements and betterments are capitalized while maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

Intangible assets consist of values assigned to patents, licenses and trademarks. These are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized over their economic useful life ranging from 3 to 20 years using the straight-line method. Accumulated amortization of intangibles was $ 9,090,000 at March 31, 2002 and $5,564,000 at March 31, 2001. The excess purchase cost over fair value of net identifiable assets acquired, goodwill, has been amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 to 40 years. Accumulated amortization of goodwill was $2,127,000 at March 31, 2002 and $1,882,000 at March 31, 2001. The Company assesses on an ongoing basis the recoverability of goodwill and intangibles based on estimates of future undiscounted cash flows for the applicable business compared to net book value. If the future undiscounted cash flow estimates were less than net book value, then the net book value would then be reduced to fair value based on an estimate of discounted cash flow.

Deferred income taxes are provided on the temporary differences between income for financial statement and tax purposes. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets as management believes that it is more likely than not that all deferred tax assets will be realized.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," encourages but does not require companies to record compensation expense for stock options at fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account for stock options using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB Opinion 25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. Accordingly, the Company has provided pro forma disclosures of the earnings per share as determined under the provision of SFAS 123.

The Company expenses media advertising costs as incurred or where applicable, upon first showing. Advertising expenses for $1.4 million, $3.3 million and $7.2 million in 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively. There were no significant capitalized advertising costs as of March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

Export sales to independent distributors, principally to Canada and Western Europe, were $12,227,000, $14,175,000 and $16,121,000 in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. In addition, $88,572,000, $44,182,000 and $33,241,000 of sales in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, were from the Company's direct international sales offices primarily in Canada and Western Europe. Income before income taxes for foreign operations was $8,099,000, $6,384,000 and $6,416,000 for fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

The financial statements of the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation." The assets and liabilities of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries whose "functional" currencies are other than the U.S. Dollar are translated at current rates of exchange. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rate for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains and losses, other than intercompany debt deemed to be of a long-term nature, are included in net income in the period they occur. Transaction exchange gains and losses were immaterial in 2002, 2001 and 2000. The Company's use of derivatives is not significant and is only on a limited basis.

The Company accounts for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133 (SFAS 133) "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS 133 requires all derivatives to be recorded as assets or liabilities at fair value. Changes in derivative fair values will either be recognized in earnings, offset against changes in the fair value of the related hedged assets, liabilities and firm commitments or, for forecasted transactions, recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders' equity until the hedge transactions occur and are recognized in earnings. The Company's use of derivatives is not significant and is only on a limited basis.

In June 2001, the FASB issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations," and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" (SFAS 142). Under SFAS 142, goodwill will no longer be amortized but will be subject to annual impairment tests. Other intangible assets, except those with indefinite lives, will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. These standards were effective for acquisitions made after June 30, 2001 and will be effective for the Company on April 1, 2002 for acquisitions made prior to June 30, 2001.

The absence of goodwill amortization is expected to result in an increase in pretax income of approximately $730,000 ($0.02 per diluted share) in fiscal 2003. The Company will perform the first of the impairment tests of goodwill as of April 1, 2002 and has not yet determined what effect the outcome of these tests will have on the Company's financial statements. Impairment tests of goodwill will be performed annually thereafter.

In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144 (SFAS 144), "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets."  SFAS 144 supersedes Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 121 (SFAS 121), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of." SFAS 144 retained substantially all of the requirements of SFAS 121 while resolving certain implementation issues. SFAS 144 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001, with early application encouraged. The Company will adopt SFAS 144 beginning in the quarter ending June 30, 2002 and is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS 144.

Financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventories at March 31 consisted of:

Accumulated other comprehensive income which is included in the Company's shareholders' equity at March 31 consisted of:

Long-term accrued liabilities at March 31 consisted of:

In addition, in February 2001, several lines of credit were established at a local level to facilitate operating cash flow needs at our foreign subsidiaries. These lines are at market rates of interest, unsecured, guaranteed by Mentor Corporation and total $5.0 million and $3.7 million at March 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively. Total borrowed and outstanding under these lines were $4.4 million and $2.5 million at March 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively. The amount available for additional borrowing was $.6 million and $1.2 million at March 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively.

In fiscal year 2002, a line of credit of $5.6 million to finance the construction of a new facility in the Netherlands was established. The borrowings accrue interest at EURIBOR plus 0.75% and are secured by the new facility and other assets in the Netherlands. $4.8 million was borrowed and outstanding under this line at March 31, 2002 and $0.8 million was available for additional borrowings.

Outstanding borrowings under all credit arrangements had a weighted-average interest rate of 4.10% and 5.96% at March 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively. A total of $21.1 million and $12.1 million was available under the $25M Credit Agreement and the foreign lines of credit at March 31, 2002 and 2001 respectively.

The Company has granted options to key employees and non-employee directors under its 2000 Plan and 1991 Plan. Options granted under both plans are exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, and expire ten years from the date of grant. Options are granted at the fair market value on the date of grant. Activity in the stock option plans during fiscal 2002, 2001 and 2000 was as follows: