Mentor Adopts Board Policy on Uses of Preferred Stock

Business Wire, Sept 6, 2007

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Mentor Corporation (NYSE:MNT) today announced that, after consulting with Institutional Shareholder Services and certain of its shareholders, its board of directors has adopted a policy regarding designation of preferred stock. At the upcoming annual meeting of Mentor's shareholders to be held on September 17, 2007, shareholders are being asked to approve an amendment to Mentor's Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of shares of authorized capital stock and to provide for the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series, with rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions to be determined by the board of directors in its discretion. In order to address concerns regarding the use of the preferred stock, the Mentor board has adopted a policy requiring that, unless approved by the vote of the shareholders, any designation of preferred stock in connection with the adoption of a shareholder rights plan include provisions effecting the termination of that plan within one year. The policy also requires that other uses of preferred stock be limited to bona fide capital raising or business acquisition transactions.

As disclosed in the proxy statement distributed in connection with the upcoming annual meeting of shareholders, Mentor has no current plans to issue preferred stock, nor is Mentor aware of any proposed takeover or other transaction that could propel it to consider such issuance. Rather, this proposal to approve the creation of preferred stock is designed to provide Mentor's board of directors with the flexibility to issue such preferred stock, should they, at some time in the future, determine that such measures are necessary or desirable. Shareholders and other investors are urged to read the proxy statement, which contains important information that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to all proposals, including the proposal to approve the creation of the preferred stock.

About Mentor Corporation

Founded in 1969, Mentor Corporation is a leading supplier of medical products for the global aesthetic market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets innovative, science-based products for surgical and non-surgical medical procedures that allow patients to retain a more youthful appearance and improve personal well-being. The Company's website is www.mentorcorp.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements", including statements regarding the annual meeting of shareholders and the use of preferred stock. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based upon the information available to the Company at this time. Such information is subject to change, and the Company will not necessarily inform you of such changes. These statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in Mentor's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K and its Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on September 17, 2007. These filings discuss important risk factors that could contribute to differences in or otherwise affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and should be carefully reviewed and considered. Mentor undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.