FORT WORTH, Texas, November 9, 2020 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, will highlight a robust scientific program including new data and advancements across its portfolio of innovations in cataract, refractive and retina surgery during the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2020 virtual annual meeting, which takes place November 13–15, 2020. Key findings from across the 21 scientific presentations on Alcon products will be presented at the meeting, including the soon-to-launch, first non-diffractive extended depth of focus AcrySof® IQ Vivity® intraocular lens (IOL) and the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL, along with a virtual, interactive booth that will showcase innovations, including the new cloud-based surgical planning application (app), the SMARTCataract Planner.

“We look forward to highlighting the latest advancements in our ophthalmology portfolio, including our presbyopia-mitigating intraocular lenses (IOLs) Vivity and PanOptix, which highlight our unwavering commitment to building new technologies and solutions that meet the evolving needs of surgeons and their patients,” said Sergio Duplan, President, North America at Alcon. “We are also excited to preview our new cloud-based surgical planning application, the SMARTCataract Planner. This new app is a significant investment to help enhance the online planning experience when using Alcon IOLs, and it represents another step on our ongoing journey to build best-in-class, digitally-enabled customer experiences.”

New IOL Data Underscores Expansion Opportunity for Presbyopia-Mitigating IOL Offerings

Key U.S. clinical trial data for Vivity will be presented at the meeting, examining patient outcomes, including visual acuity, visual disturbance profiles and visual performance under different lighting conditions. Vivity, which is set to fully launch in the U.S. in early 2021 and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year, uses a non-diffractive design called X-WAVE™ Technology to provide a continuous extended range of vision with a monofocal-like visual disturbance profile.¹Surgeons interested in learning more about this new presbyopia-mitigating IOL option in advance of when it becomes fully commercially available can visit GetVivity.com.

Key presentations for the Vivity IOL at the meeting will include:

• Scientific Poster: Clinical Outcomes of a New Non-Diffractive Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lens. Presented by Dr. John Berdahl
• Scientific Poster: Visual Outcomes of a New Non-Diffractive Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lens. Presented by Dr. Cathleen McCabe
• Scientific Poster: Visual Outcomes Under Bright and Dim Light Conditions with a New Non-Diffractive Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lens. Presented by Dr. Cathleen McCabe
• Paper Presentation: Clinical Outcomes of a New Non-Diffractive Presbyopia-Correcting Intraocular Lens from Two Large Confirmatory Studies. Presented by Dr. Devesh Varma

PanOptix Trifocal IOL – the first and only advanced trifocal lens approved in the U.S. – will be featured in clinical data presentations reporting visual and refractive outcomes following implantation.

Key presentations for the PanOptix Trifocal IOL at the meeting will include:

• Scientific Poster: Clinical Outcomes of a Diffractive Trifocal IOL with Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery, Digital Tracking and Intraoperative Aberrometry. Presented by Dr. John F. Blaylock
• Scientific Poster: Objective and Subjective Assessment of Vision Quality of a New Trifocal IOL. Presented by Dr. Jeffrey Horn
• Scientific Poster: Cumulative Binocular Vision Outcomes with a New Trifocal IOL. Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Yeu

Alcon will also host a symposium titled “Perspectives on AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL” (presented via livestream) for existing or interested PanOptix Trifocal IOL users. The symposium will include an interactive panel discussion with moderator Dr. Quentin Allen and expert panelists Dr. John Berdahl, Dr. Alanna Nattis and Dr. Dagny Zhu. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 11 from 7:30–8:30 PM CT.

New SMARTCataract Planner and the ARGOS® Biometer with Image Guidance: Smarter Cataract Surgical Planning Innovations

Building upon its best-in-class, digitally-enabled integration offerings for cataract surgeons, Alcon will preview the SMARTCataract Planner, a comprehensive, securely designed, cloud-based surgical planning app for Alcon IOLs. This is a significant investment in efforts to help enhance the online planning experience and deliver optimal patient outcomes when using Alcon IOLs. The SMARTCataract Planner is the first planner app offering in the SMART Suite by Alcon, an innovative digital health platform designed to streamline, simplify and improve cataract surgery for surgeons and patients.

Another cataract planning solution in Alcon’s portfolio is the ARGOS Biometer with Image Guidance, which launched earlier this year. It provides end-to-end connectivity and a more efficient workflow and improved accuracy.² Visit the virtual booth to learn how ARGOS is a critical entry point into connectivity today and in the future. Additionally, ARGOS will be highlighted in a data presentation on one of the unique advantages of the biometer: segmented axial length.

• Paper Presentation: Differences Between Axial Length Measurements Using a Specific Refractive Index for Each Segment of the Eye vs. a Single Group Refractive Index for the Entire Eye: Effect on Intraocular Lens Power Calculation and Expected Clinical Outcomes. Presented by Dr. H. John Shammas

Next-Generation FINESSE REFLEX™ Handle Provides Improved Dexterity and Control for Vitreoretinal Surgery

Alcon will launch the FINESSE REFLEX handle, which is designed to help surgeons move with ease, providing unrestricted movement and intentional, focused performance.³ The handle, which is built on the legacy craftsmanship of Greishaber®instrumentation for surgical precision, supports surgeons through improved surgical dexterity with advanced ergonomic support and offers expanded extra-ocular working space during vitreoretinal surgery.⁴

Meeting attendees will be able to visit the Retina section of Alcon’s virtual booth for a demo of the product. The REFLEX handle will be widely available to surgeons across the U.S. in early 2021.

Key Findings for WaveLight® CONTOURA® VISION and Topolyzer® VARIO to Highlight Positive Refractive Clinical Outcomes

CONTOURA VISION – personalized topography-guided LASIK technology – was evaluated in a study demonstrating that topography-guided LASIK treatments of myopia or myopic astigmatism with correction based on results from Phorcides Analytical Engine (PAE) planning resulted in improved visual acuity and less residual cylinder, versus correction based on manifest refraction. Another study using the Wavelight Topolyzer VARIO imaging system showed that iris registration (IR) reduced overall variability in clinical outcomes for WaveLight Wave-Front Optimized LASIK treatments.

• Scientific Poster: Clinical Outcomes After Topography-Guided Refractive Surgery in Eyes with Myopia and Astigmatism: Comparing Results with New Planning Software to Those Obtained Using Manifest Refraction. Presented by Dr. Paul M. Mann II
• Scientific Poster: The Impact of Image Registration for Ablation Orientation on Clinical Outcomes After Wavefront-Optimized Refractive Surgery in Eyes with Myopia and Astigmatism. Presented by Dr. Paul M. Mann II

Additional Virtual Resources and Networking Opportunities for Surgeons

Surgeon-to-surgeon talks will also take place during the meeting, giving attendees the opportunity to interact with other surgeons about some of the most innovative eye care technologies in the industry. Visit the Alcon virtual booth in the exhibits section of www.aao.org/annual-meeting for important information on Alcon’s innovative products, virtual demonstrations and programs.

About Vivity

The non-diffractive AcrySof® IQ Vivity® Extended Vision Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Model DFT015 (referred to as AcrySof® IQ Vivity® IOL) is a UV-absorbing and blue light-filtering foldable intraocular lens (IOL). This IOL, compared to a monofocal IOL, provides an extended range of vision from distance to near without increasing the incidence of visual disturbances.

Potential side effects: As with any surgery, there is an implicit risk, whether or not the IOL is implanted. The complications of the IOL implantation surgery ranges from minor side effects (usually temporary) to serious complications. Patients with previous illnesses or disorders (such as chronic infections of the eye or eyelids, or diabetes) may present a higher risk of complications. Temporary surgical complications include, but are not limited to, reactions to medications such as irritation or mild allergic response, bleeding, redness, itching of the eye, sensitivity to light, swelling, corneal edema (swelling of the cornea), problems with the iris, cell growth in the IOL and an increase in temporary eye pressure. There is a small risk of needing further surgical treatment (such as IOL replacement implanted by a different one or surgery to improve vision) after the implantation of the initial IOL.

About PanOptix

The AcrySof^® IQ PanOptix^® Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. In addition, the center of the AcrySof^® IQ PanOptix^® Trifocal IOL allows for better near (reading) vision and intermediate (computer work) vision versus what a monofocal lens would provide.

Potential Side Effects: Due to the design of multifocal IOLs, there are some side effects that can be associated with the AcrySof^® IQ PanOptix^® Trifocal IOL models. These may be worse than with a monofocal IOL, including visual disturbances such as glare, rings around lights, starbursts (rays around light sources), and reduced contrast sensitivity (decrease in ability to distinguish objects from their background, especially in dim lighting). These side effects may make it more difficult to see while driving at night or completing tasks in low lighting conditions such as at night or in fog, or in a dimly lit room after surgery as compared to before surgery.

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.

Important Information About the FINESSE REFLEX™ Handle

The FINESSE REFLEX™ Handle is an ultra-lightweight handle with stiff 25+ and 27+ needle shafts for maneuverability and precision performance during ophthalmic surgery. The REFLEX handle is intended to be used in vitreoretinal surgery for grasping or cutting intraocular tissues. Please refer to the product labeling for a complete listing of indications, warnings, and precautions.

Disclaimer

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “commitment,” “look forward,” “maintain,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict. Some of these factors are discussed in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F. Should one or more of these uncertainties or risks materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of its filing, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References

1. AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL DFU
2. ARGOS® Biometer User Manual, 2019
3. Alcon Data on File, 2020
4. Alcon Data on File, 2020

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning more than seven decades, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, and refractive errors. Our more than 20,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

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