about Alcon

as far as the eye can see

For nearly 60 years, Alcon has been committed to just one thing: helping people in all corners of the world attain better vision.

Today, Alcon holds steadfast to its commitment. Recognized by the global medical profession for its leadership in discovering and manufacturing ophthalmic pharmaceutical, surgical, and vision care products, Alcon's nearly 12,000 employees devote their energies and insights to preserving, restoring and enhancing vision. Alcon's sales totaled $3.9 billion in 2004 and it has market-leading positions in many eye care product areas.

Research and Development

Alcon has been responsible for many of the innovations in eye care over the years. It now invests more than $400 million per year in research and development to discover and bring to market new medicines and technologies to improve health and vision.

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Community Outreach

"Giving back" to the global community has always been a priority with Alcon. In 2005, Alcon Humanitarian Services contributed resources amounting to over $48 million in support of more than 1,200 medical missions by ophthalmologists. These eye care specialists volunteered their time and skill to help improve the vision of people around the world.

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Products

The world has reaped the benefits of Alcon's unswerving drive to innovate with products for both consumers and eye care professionals.

You may be familiar with some of Alcon's over-the-counter products. They include OPTI-FREE® RepleniSH® Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution for soft contact lenses, SYSTANE® Lubricant Eye Drops for dry eye and ICAPS® Vitamins.

Important Alcon pharmaceuticals include VIGAMOX® solution for eye infections, PATANOL® solution for eye allergies, and TRAVATAN® solution for glaucoma.

For the ocular surgery market, Alcon offers innovative products such as the ACRYSOF® Natural intraocular lens and the ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® intraocular lens to help cataract patients improve their vision. It also sells world-renowned products such as the INFINITI® Vision System, the ACCURUS® vitreoretinal system and GRIESHABER® instruments.

These outstanding brands and many others are the product of a company that respects its people, takes pride in their work, and rewards their achievement. It should be no surprise that for 8 consecutive years, Fortune* magazine has named Alcon one of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S."

Today, Alcon is a $4.2 billion global organization and remains committed to the mission of discovering, manufacturing, and marketing products designed to save sight.

* Fortune is a registered trademark Time, Inc.

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