FORT WORTH, Texas, October 2, 2018 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, today unveiled software and hardware enhancements to the WaveLight Refractive Suite designed to provide surgeons and patients a more comfortable and efficient LASIK experience. In addition to delivering the fastest total refractive procedure in the U.S., the new platform offers a modernized user interface, ergonomic design and expanded equipment color options. The updates will redefine how surgeons engage the WaveLight Refractive Suite when performing procedures with Contoura Vision® – the first and only topography-guided LASIK treatment.

“Although the WaveLight Refractive Suite is the market leader used in 65 percent of LASIK procedures performed in the U.S., we continued innovating to take the surgical experience to the next level,” said Sergio Duplan, Region President, North America, Alcon. “We’re confident these innovations will further optimize how surgeons use the Suite, arming them with the technology they need to address their patients’ vision correction needs.”   

The new Suite enhancements will also seamlessly integrate with Contoura Vision, providing surgeons true topography guidance and the unique ability to “map” the corneal features and imperfections of each eye using 22,000 data points from the WaveLight Topolyzer™ VARIO. In a clinical trial, 92.6% of eyes treated with Contoura Vision achieved 20/20 vision or better.¹

The new software updates also enhance the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Suite’s WaveNet™ Planning Station, EX500 Excimer Laser and the FS200 Femtosecond Laser – improving intuitiveness and workflow as surgeons use Contoura Vision to develop a customized treatment plan for patients. The treatment is then programmed for execution by the advanced laser system of the WaveLight technology, which consistently delivers an accurate, safe and the highest individualized LASIK experience.

“The enhancements to the WaveLight Refractive Suite are a welcome upgrade to an already robust platform, and the transition from the previous software was seamless,” said Louis Probst, MD, National Medical Director and Surgeon at TLC Laser Eye Centers. “My surgery process is now more deliberate and streamlined because I’m able to clearly see and follow a logical flow of parameters on the redesigned interface.”

To better assist the surgeon’s ability to provide exceptional treatment for patients, several enhancements to the Suite include:

• Ergonomic additions to improve surgeon comfort and efficiency, such as a heads-up display for the surgeon’s dominant eye and a clearly arranged control panel
• Higher-contrast GUI and a back-lit keyboard to optimize surgeon comfort while working in the dim lighting that is common in procedure rooms
• Updates to the laser designed to reduce the procedure time, maximize patient comfort and mitigate increases in intraocular pressure
• New key switch and emergency laser emission stop switch to allow the surgeon to turn the laser system on/off and shut down the device immediately in case of an emergency

Alcon is also unveiling a new color option, Ivory White, that will join the platform’s standard color of Sapphire Blue. The new offering will allow surgeons to harmonize the design of the WaveLight Refractive Suite with their existing center.

Newly purchased Suites will automatically include the software and hardware updates, and currently installed systems are being updated with the software enhancements. To learn more about these WaveLight Refractive Suite enhancements, visit MyAlcon.com.

Important Information about WaveLight Femtosecond and Excimer Lasers

The WaveLight femtosecond and excimer laser systems are medical devices that are indicated for use in performing laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedures to correct certain kinds of nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Only doctors who have been trained in laser refractive surgery (including laser calibration and operation) should use WaveLight technology.

The most common risks of refractive laser vision correction surgery include dry eye syndrome; the possible need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery; visual symptoms including halos, glare, starbursts, and double vision; and loss of vision.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “potential,” “can,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “look forward,” “commitment,” “investigational,” “launches,” or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals or clearances, new approved uses or labeling for the investigational or approved products or devices described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products and devices. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational, cleared or approved products and devices described in this press release will be submitted, cleared or approved for sale or for any additional uses or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products or devices will be widely available and/or commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products and devices could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and cost pressures; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular preferences of physicians; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG’s current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References

1. Stulting RD, Fant BS; T-CAT Study Group. Results of topography-guided laser in situ keratomileusis custom abalation treatment with a refractive excimer laser. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016;42(1):11-18.

About Novartis

Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 125,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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About Alcon

Alcon is the global leader in eye care. As a division of Novartis, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our products touch the lives of more than 260 million people each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors, and there are millions more who are waiting for solutions to meet their eye care needs. Our purpose is reimagining eye care, and we do this through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals and programs that enhance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

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