Caren Mason, who was elected to implantable lens maker Staar Surgical Co.’s board last June, was named Tuesday as chief executive, replacing Barry Caldwell who retired March 1. The Monrovia company’s shares soared about 14 percent Tuesday following the announcement.

Mason, 61, was most recently the chief executive of Verinata Health in Redwood City, a provider of non-invasive prenatal genetic testing services. She is also a director of HealthTell, a life sciences company in San Ramon, and previously served as the chief executive and president of Quidel Corp. in San Diego from 2004 to 2009. Mason is also on the executive committee for the Board of Visitors and serves as chair of the Advisory and Innovation Council at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center.

Staar announced Mason’s appointment before markets opened Tuesday. Staar shares closed the day at $7.76, up 13.8 percent.