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<title>Mentor Corporation</title>

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<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
</b>Washington, D.C. 20549</font></p>

<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>FORM 8-K<br>
<br>
</b>CURRENT REPORT<br>
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)<br>
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934</font></p>

<p align=center>&nbsp;</p>

<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Date of Report (Date of earliest
event reported):<br>
December 16, 2003</font></p>

<p align=center>&nbsp;</p>

<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>MENTOR CORPORATION<br>
</b>(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)</font></p>

<p align=center>&nbsp;</p>

  <p align="left"><font face="Tahoma" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  Minnesota&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  41-0950791<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (State or other jurisdiction of&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)<br>
  &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; incorporation or organization)</font></p>



<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2">201 Mentor Drive, Santa
Barbara, California 93111<br>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)<br>
&nbsp;</font></p>



<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Registrant's telephone number,
including area code:<br>
(805) 879-6000</font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>ITEM 5.&nbsp; Other Events and Required FD
Disclosure</b></font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">On December 16, 2003, Mentor Corporation issued a
press release announcing its proposed private placement of $125 million
convertible subordinated notes.&nbsp; On
December 17, 2003, Mentor Corporation issued a press release announcing the
pricing of its private placement of $125 million convertible subordinated
notes.&nbsp; Copies of these press releases
are attached as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively. </font> </p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>ITEM &nbsp;7.&nbsp; Exhibits.</b></font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
following exhibits are being filed herewith:</font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <u>Exhibit
No.</u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <u>Exhibit Description</u></font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Press release dated December 16, 2003 - &quot;<b>Mentor
Corporation Announces Proposed Private Placement of $125 million Convertible<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Subordinated Notes&quot; </b></font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 99.2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Press release dated December 17,
2003 - &quot;<b>Mentor Corporation Prices $125 million Private Placement of
Convertible Subordinated Notes&quot;</b></font></p>



<hr style="border-style: solid; border-color: #0000FF">



<p align=center><font face="Tahoma" size="2">SIGNATURES</font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>



<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MENTOR
CORPORATION</font></p>





<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Date:&nbsp; December 17,
2003&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>/s/CHRISTOPHER J.
CONWAY<br>
</u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Christopher
J. Conway, Chairman<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chief
Executive Officer</font></p>





<p><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Date:&nbsp; December 17,
2003&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>/s/ADEL MICHAEL<br>
</u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Adel
Michael, Vice Chairman<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chief
Financial Officer</font></p>



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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MENTOR CORP /MN/", "cik": "0000064892", "assigned-sic": "3842", "irs-number": "410950791", "state-of-incorporation": "MN", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-31744", "film-number": "031060979"}, "business-address": {"street1": "201 MENTOR DR", "city": "SANTA BARBARA", "state": "CA", "zip": "93111", "phone": "8058796000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "201 MENTOR DR", "city": "SANTA BARBARA", "state": "CA", "zip": "93111"}}
Mentor Corporation
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest
event reported):
December 16, 2003
MENTOR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
Minnesota                                                                      
  41-0950791
(State or other jurisdiction of                                            
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
201 Mentor Drive, Santa
Barbara, California 93111
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number,
including area code:
(805) 879-6000
ITEM 5.  Other Events and Required FD
Disclosure
On December 16, 2003, Mentor Corporation issued a
press release announcing its proposed private placement of $125 million
convertible subordinated notes.  On
December 17, 2003, Mentor Corporation issued a press release announcing the
pricing of its private placement of $125 million convertible subordinated
notes.  Copies of these press releases
are attached as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively.
ITEM  7.  Exhibits.
(c)      The
following exhibits are being filed herewith:
Exhibit
No.
Exhibit Description
99.1              Press release dated December 16, 2003 - "
Mentor
Corporation Announces Proposed Private Placement of $125 million Convertible
Subordinated Notes"
99.2              Press release dated December 17,
2003 - "
Mentor Corporation Prices $125 million Private Placement of
Convertible Subordinated Notes"
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MENTOR
CORPORATION
Date:  December 17,
2003
/s/CHRISTOPHER J.
CONWAY
Christopher
J. Conway, Chairman
Chief
Executive Officer
Date:  December 17,
2003
/s/ADEL MICHAEL
Adel
Michael, Vice Chairman
Chief
Financial Officer