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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;2, 2002  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="RIGHT"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Registration No.&nbsp;333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>Washington, D.C. 20549  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>FORM S-8<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  </B></FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=5><B>VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES,&nbsp;INC.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2><B>33-0100303</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="TOP"><FONT SIZE=2>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite A<BR>
Carlsbad, California 92008<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES,&nbsp;INC.<BR>
1997 STOCK OPTION/STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Full title of the Plan) </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>John R. Lyon<BR>
Chief Executive Officer<BR>
Vista Medical Technologies,&nbsp;Inc.<BR>
5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite A<BR>
Carlsbad, California 92008<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and address of agent for service)<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><B>(760)&nbsp;603-9120<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>With Copies To:  </B></FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B> Michael S. Kagnoff, Esq.<BR>  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE=2>Brobeck, Phleger&nbsp;&amp; Harrison LLP<BR>
12390 El Camino Real<BR>
San Diego, CA 92130<BR>
(858)&nbsp;720-2500 </FONT></P>

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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE  </B></FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="36%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title of Securities to Be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount to be Registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price</B></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Amount of Registration Fee</B></FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="36%"><FONT SIZE=2>Common Stock (under 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>187,500</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$4.13(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$774,375(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>$72.00</FONT></TD>
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<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(1)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>This
registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of the registrant's common stock that become issuable under the 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan by reason of
any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the registrant's receipt of consideration that results in an increase in the number of the registrant's
outstanding shares of common stock.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(2)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Estimated
solely for purposes of this offering under Rule&nbsp;457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low prices
per share of the registrant's common stock on March&nbsp;28, 2002, as reported on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1309_part_i_information_requ__de102250"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1309_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART I<BR>  <BR>    Information Required in the Section&nbsp;10(a) Prospectus    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the Section&nbsp;10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with the
Note to Part&nbsp;I of Form&nbsp;S-8. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1309_where_you_can_find_more_information"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1309_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may read and
copy any document we have on file at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, DC; New York, New York; and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. </FONT></P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="de1309_part_ii_information_req__de102469"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_de1309_3"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>PART II<BR>  <BR>    Information Required in the Registration Statement    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you
to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this registration statement, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until our
offering is complete: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(a)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Our
annual report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2001.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>(b)</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Our
registration statement no.&nbsp;000-22743 on Form&nbsp;8-A filed with the SEC on June&nbsp;24, 1997, in which there is described the terms, rights
and provisions applicable to the Company's Common Stock, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
reports, definitive proxy or information statements and other documents that we file under Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the
date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered under this registration statement have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part of this registration statement from the date of
filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for
purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this registration statement. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A
copy of any of the above documents will be furnished to each participant in the 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, without charge, upon written or oral request to the Corporate
Secretary, Vista Medical Technologies,&nbsp;Inc., 5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite A, Carlsbad, California 92008, or upon telephoning the Company at (760)&nbsp;603-9120. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 4. Description of Securities  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The validity of the shares of common stock offered under this registration statement will be passed upon for us by Brobeck, Phleger&nbsp;&amp; Harrison LLP, San
Diego, California. Attorneys associated with Brobeck, Phleger&nbsp;&amp; Harrison LLP own an aggregate of approximately 999 shares of our common stock. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits us to indemnify our directors and officers under certain conditions and subject to certain
limitations. Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also permits us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers against any liability asserted
against them and incurred by them arising out of their capacity or status as directors and officers, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify our directors and officers against such
liability under the provisions of Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;VII
of the Restated Bylaws of the Company provides that the Company shall indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the
Delaware General Corporation Law. The rights to indemnity thereunder continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of the person. In addition, expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company (or was serving at the Company's request as a director or officer of an other corporation), shall be paid by the
Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized by the relevant section of the Delaware General Corporation Law. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As
permitted by Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Article&nbsp;V, Section&nbsp;A of our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that our
directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that the indemnification does not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for the following: </FONT></P>

<UL>
<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>acts
or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>unlawful
payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions under Section&nbsp;174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; and
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>&#149;</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. </FONT></DD></DL>
</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Delaware
law further provides that the permitted indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and officers may be entitled under our bylaws,
any agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its officers and directors. Generally, the indemnification agreements attempt to provide the maximum protection
permitted by Delaware law as it may be amended from time to time. Under such additional indemnification provisions, however, an individual will not receive indemnification for judgments, settlements
or expenses if he or she is found liable to the Company (except to the extent the court determines he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses), for settlements not approved
by the Company or for settlements and expenses if the settlement is not approved by the court. The indemnification agreements provide for the Company to advance to the individual any and all
reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in investigating or defending any such action, suit or proceeding. In order to receive an advance of expenses, the individual must
submit to the Company copies of invoices presented to him or her for such expenses. Also, the individual must repay such advances upon a final judicial decision that he or she is not entitled to
indemnification. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable. </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 8. Exhibits  </B></FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TH WIDTH="85%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders. Reference is made to our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with
the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2001, and
incorporated herein by reference); our Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Form 8-A registration statement no.
000-22743 (filed with the SEC on June 24, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); and our form of certificate for common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on June 25, 1997, and
incorporated herein by reference).</FONT></TD>
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5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger &amp; Harrison LLP.</FONT></TD>
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23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Auditors.</FONT></TD>
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23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Brobeck, Phleger &amp; Harrison LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page of this registration statement on Form S-8.</FONT></TD>
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99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as amended on June 7, 2001.</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Notice of Grant (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to our Form S-1/A registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
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<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Issuance Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2><B>Item 9. Undertakings  </B></FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>A.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: </FONT></DD></DL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;to
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: </FONT></P>

<UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;to
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or </FONT></P>

</UL>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement; and </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such
information in this registration statement; </FONT></P>

</UL>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>provided,
however, that clauses (1)(i)&nbsp;and (1)(ii)&nbsp;shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those clauses is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this registration statement; </FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;that
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;to
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the Vista
Medical Technologies,&nbsp;Inc. 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan. </FONT></P>

<DL compact>
<DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>B.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this registration statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
<BR><BR></FONT></DD><DT style='margin-bottom:-11pt;'><FONT SIZE=2>C.</FONT></DT><DD><FONT SIZE=2>Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. </FONT></DD></DL>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1309_signatures"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1309_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>SIGNATURES    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Carlsbad, State of California on this 1st day of April, 2002. </FONT></P>

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<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD COLSPAN=3><FONT SIZE=2>VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES,&nbsp;INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="47%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
By:</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN R. LYON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John R. Lyon<BR></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2><I>Chief Executive Officer</I></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="jc1309_power_of_attorney"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_jc1309_2"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Each director and/or officer of Vista Medical Technologies,&nbsp;Inc. whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John R. Lyon, Chief Executive
Officer, and Stephen Gorgol, Chief Financial Officer, and each of them, as such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as
such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney. </FONT></P>


<P><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated: </FONT></P>

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<TH WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Signature</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="33%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Title</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Date</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JOHN R. LYON</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> John R. Lyon</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><I>Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2>April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>STEPHEN GORGOL</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Stephen Gorgol</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><I>Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>JAMES C. BLAIR</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> James C. Blair</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><I>Chairman of the Board and Director</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>NICHOLAS B. BINKLEY</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Nicholas B. Binkley</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><I>Director</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>DANIEL J. HOLLAND</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Daniel J. Holland</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><I>Director</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>LARRY M. OSTERINK</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> Larry M. Osterink</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><I>Director</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="45%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>GEORGE B. DEHUFF</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><HR NOSHADE><FONT SIZE=2> George B. DeHuff</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="33%" VALIGN="CENTER"><BR><FONT SIZE=2><I>Director</I></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
April&nbsp;1, 2002</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<HR NOSHADE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=2><A
NAME="ka1309_exhibit_index"> </A>
<A NAME="toc_ka1309_1"> </A>
<BR></FONT><FONT SIZE=2><B>EXHIBIT INDEX    <BR>  </B></FONT></P>

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<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
<TH WIDTH="12%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit Number</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
<TH WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TH>
<TH WIDTH="85%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT SIZE=1><B>Exhibit</B></FONT><HR NOSHADE></TH>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2>4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2>Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders. Reference is made to our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with
the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2001, and
incorporated herein by reference); our Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Form 8-A registration statement no.
000-22743 (filed with the SEC on June 24, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); and our form of certificate for common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on June 25, 1997, and
incorporated herein by reference).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger &amp; Harrison LLP.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Ernst &amp; Young LLP, Independent Auditors.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
23.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Consent of Brobeck, Phleger &amp; Harrison LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
24</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page of this registration statement on Form S-8.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as amended on June 7, 2001.</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.2</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Notice of Grant (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.3</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.4</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to our Form S-1/A registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
<TD WIDTH="12%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
99.5</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="3%"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="85%" VALIGN="BOTTOM"><FONT SIZE=2><BR>
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Issuance Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
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<BR>
<P><br><A NAME="02SAN1309_1">QuickLinks</A><br></P><!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1309_1">PART I Information Required in the Section 10(a) Prospectus</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1309_2">WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_de1309_3">PART II Information Required in the Registration Statement</A></FONT><BR>

<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1309_1">SIGNATURES</A></FONT><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_jc1309_2">POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></FONT><BR>
<!-- TOC_BEGIN -->
<FONT SIZE=2><A HREF="#toc_ka1309_1">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></FONT><BR>
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QuickLinks
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2002
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
33-0100303
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite A
Carlsbad, California 92008
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
1997 STOCK OPTION/STOCK ISSUANCE PLAN
(Full title of the Plan)
John R. Lyon
Chief Executive Officer
Vista Medical Technologies, Inc.
5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite A
Carlsbad, California 92008
(Name and address of agent for service)
(760) 603-9120
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With Copies To:
Michael S. Kagnoff, Esq.
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP
12390 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 720-2500
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to Be Registered
Amount to be Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price
Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock (under 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan)
187,500
$4.13(2)
$774,375(2)
$72.00
(1)
This
registration statement shall also cover any additional shares of the registrant's common stock that become issuable under the 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan by reason of
any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the registrant's receipt of consideration that results in an increase in the number of the registrant's
outstanding shares of common stock.
(2)
Estimated
solely for purposes of this offering under Rule 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low prices
per share of the registrant's common stock on March 28, 2002, as reported on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market.
PART I
Information Required in the Section 10(a) Prospectus
Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with the
Note to Part I of Form S-8.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may read and
copy any document we have on file at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, DC; New York, New York; and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
PART II
Information Required in the Registration Statement
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you
to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this registration statement, and later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act until our
offering is complete:
(a)
Our
annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
(b)
Our
registration statement no. 000-22743 on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on June 24, 1997, in which there is described the terms, rights
and provisions applicable to the Company's Common Stock, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.
All
reports, definitive proxy or information statements and other documents that we file under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the
date of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered under this registration statement have been sold or
which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part of this registration statement from the date of
filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for
purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a
part of this registration statement.
A
copy of any of the above documents will be furnished to each participant in the 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, without charge, upon written or oral request to the Corporate
Secretary, Vista Medical Technologies, Inc., 5451 Avenida Encinas, Suite A, Carlsbad, California 92008, or upon telephoning the Company at (760) 603-9120.
Item 4. Description of Securities
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
The validity of the shares of common stock offered under this registration statement will be passed upon for us by Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP, San
Diego, California. Attorneys associated with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP own an aggregate of approximately 999 shares of our common stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits us to indemnify our directors and officers under certain conditions and subject to certain
limitations. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also permits us to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of our directors and officers against any liability asserted
against them and incurred by them arising out of their capacity or status as directors and officers, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify our directors and officers against such
liability under the provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Article VII
of the Restated Bylaws of the Company provides that the Company shall indemnify its directors and executive officers to the fullest extent not prohibited by the
Delaware General Corporation Law. The rights to indemnity thereunder continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of the person. In addition, expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Company (or was serving at the Company's request as a director or officer of an other corporation), shall be paid by the
Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized by the relevant section of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
As
permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Article V, Section A of our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that our
directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that the indemnification does not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for the following:
•
any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
•
acts
or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
•
unlawful
payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; and
•
any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Delaware
law further provides that the permitted indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the directors and officers may be entitled under our bylaws,
any agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The
Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its officers and directors. Generally, the indemnification agreements attempt to provide the maximum protection
permitted by Delaware law as it may be amended from time to time. Under such additional indemnification provisions, however, an individual will not receive indemnification for judgments, settlements
or expenses if he or she is found liable to the Company (except to the extent the court determines he or she is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses), for settlements not approved
by the Company or for settlements and expenses if the settlement is not approved by the court. The indemnification agreements provide for the Company to advance to the individual any and all
reasonable expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in investigating or defending any such action, suit or proceeding. In order to receive an advance of expenses, the individual must
submit to the Company copies of invoices presented to him or her for such expenses. Also, the individual must repay such advances upon a final judicial decision that he or she is not entitled to
indemnification.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
4
Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders. Reference is made to our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with
the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2001, and
incorporated herein by reference); our Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Form 8-A registration statement no.
000-22743 (filed with the SEC on June 24, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); and our form of certificate for common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on June 25, 1997, and
incorporated herein by reference).
5
Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2
Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.
24
Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page of this registration statement on Form S-8.
99.1
1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as amended on June 7, 2001.
99.2
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Notice of Grant (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
99.3
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
99.4
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to our Form S-1/A registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
99.5
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Issuance Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
Item 9. Undertakings
A.
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)  to
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)  to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
(ii)  to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement; and
(iii)  to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such
information in this registration statement;
provided,
however, that clauses (1)(i) and (1)(ii) shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those clauses is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into this registration statement;
(2)  that
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3)  to
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the Vista
Medical Technologies, Inc. 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan.
B.
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into this registration statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
indemnification provisions summarized in Item 6 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Carlsbad, State of California on this 1st day of April, 2002.
VISTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:
/s/
JOHN R. LYON
John R. Lyon
Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each director and/or officer of Vista Medical Technologies, Inc. whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John R. Lyon, Chief Executive
Officer, and Stephen Gorgol, Chief Financial Officer, and each of them, as such person's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as
such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
JOHN R. LYON
John R. Lyon
Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)
April 1, 2002
/s/
STEPHEN GORGOL
Stephen Gorgol
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)
April 1, 2002
/s/
JAMES C. BLAIR
James C. Blair
Chairman of the Board and Director
April 1, 2002
/s/
NICHOLAS B. BINKLEY
Nicholas B. Binkley
Director
April 1, 2002
/s/
DANIEL J. HOLLAND
Daniel J. Holland
Director
April 1, 2002
/s/
LARRY M. OSTERINK
Larry M. Osterink
Director
April 1, 2002
/s/
GEORGE B. DEHUFF
George B. DeHuff
Director
April 1, 2002
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
4
Instruments Defining the Rights of Stockholders. Reference is made to our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with
the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Certificate of Amendment of Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2001, and
incorporated herein by reference); our Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); our Form 8-A registration statement no.
000-22743 (filed with the SEC on June 24, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference); and our form of certificate for common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on June 25, 1997, and
incorporated herein by reference).
5
Opinion and Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.
23.2
Consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP is contained in Exhibit 5.
24
Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page of this registration statement on Form S-8.
99.1
1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as amended on June 7, 2001.
99.2
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Notice of Grant (filed as Exhibit 10.39 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
99.3
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.40 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on March 7, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
99.4
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Purchase Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.41 to our Form S-1/A registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
99.5
Reference is made to our 1997 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan Form of Stock Issuance Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.46 to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 333-22985 filed with the SEC on May 6, 1997, and incorporated herein by
reference).
QuickLinks
PART I Information Required in the Section 10(a) Prospectus
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
PART II Information Required in the Registration Statement
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX