Alcon Introduces AcrySof IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL in the U.S., the First and Only FDA-Approved Trifocal Lens

Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), the global leader in eye care, today announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and its initial commercial launch of AcrySof^® IQ PanOptix^® Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL), the first and only trifocal lens for U.S. patients undergoing cataract surgery. PanOptix is clinically shown to deliver an exceptional combination of near, intermediate and distance vision while significantly reducing the need for glasses after surgery.^1,2

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AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL product image

PanOptix is already one of the leading presbyopia-correcting IOLs in more than 70 countries. It is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions. The new lens uses ENLIGHTEN^® Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision. Available in spherical and toric designs, PanOptix is built on Alcon’s proven AcrySof IQ IOL platform that has been implanted in more than 120 million eyes globally.

"We are proud to bring this new class of IOLs to the largest eye care market in the world,” said David J. Endicott, Chief Executive Officer of Alcon. "We are leveraging Alcon’s years of experience with PanOptix in other countries to provide the best possible training and support for U.S. surgeons. Our goal is to ensure optimal outcomes for cataract patients looking to correct their vision at all distances, with the vast majority of them never needing to wear glasses post-surgery.”

The FDA approval of PanOptix was based on a pivotal study at 12 investigational sites in the U.S. With this single trifocal lens design, PanOptix patients demonstrated exceptional, uninterrupted vision. The results also showed high patient satisfaction with more than ninety-nine percent of PanOptix patients saying they would choose the same lens again.¹

More than 4 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the U.S., which is projected to increase by more than 16 percent by the end of 2024.^3,4 The presbyopia-correcting IOL market is expected to grow 60 percent by the end of 2024.⁴

"The U.S. ophthalmology community has been eagerly awaiting FDA approval of PanOptix. While participating in the clinical trial, I saw first-hand the impact of this lens on my patients,” said Kerry Solomon, M.D., Carolina Eyecare Physicians, PanOptix clinical trial investigator. "We know patients undergoing cataract surgery today want a replacement lens that delivers the vision they need to live full, active lives without always being dependent on glasses. PanOptix is an excellent lens option to address these needs and is clinically proven to deliver an outstanding range of vision.”

Alcon plans to begin training U.S. ophthalmologists and making inventory of PanOptix and PanOptix Toric IOLs available through the rest of 2019 into early 2020. As part of its patient education efforts, the company will soon launch a dedicated PanOptix website and multimedia awareness campaign. A similar effort is planned for eye care professionals with special launch activities slated for the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in October.

About Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area in the natural lens of the eye that affects vision. As a cataract develops, the eye’s lens gradually becomes hard and cloudy allowing less light to pass through, which makes it more difficult to see. The vast majority of cataracts result from normal aging, but radiation exposure, taking steroids, diabetes and eye trauma can accelerate their development.⁵ Cataracts are the most common age-related eye condition and the leading cause of preventable blindness.⁶ Twenty million people in the U.S. age 40 and older have cataracts.⁵ Cataracts are treated by removing the eye’s cloudy natural lens and surgically replacing it with an intraocular lens or IOL. More than 98 percent of cataract surgeries are considered successful, and patients typically can return to their normal routines within 24 hours.⁷

About Presbyopia

Presbyopia is a common, age-related vision condition in which people have difficulty focusing on things up close. It involves the gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on close objects, such as smart phones, computers, books and menus.⁸ Almost everyone will experience presbyopia to some degree as they age, with symptoms often first appearing as an individual enters their 40s and continues to worsen into their 60s.⁸ In the U.S., an estimated 112 million people experience vision issues due to presbyopia – a number that’s expected to continue increasing.⁹ The condition is not a disease, so it cannot be cured; however, there are safe and effective ways to correct presbyopia, including eye glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

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.

Further, a toric IOL corrects astigmatism only when it is placed in the correct position in the eye. There is a possibility that the toric IOL could be placed incorrectly or could move within the eye. If the toric lens is not positioned correctly following surgery, the change in your astigmatism correction by the IOL, along with any necessary correction with glasses, may cause visual distortions. If the lens rotates in your eye, you may need additional surgery to reposition or replace the IOL.

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.

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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1 AcrySof IQ PanOptix Directions For Use.
2 Compared to AcrySof^® monofocal IOL.
3 Market Scope. 2017 Ophthalmic Surgical Instrument Report.
4 Market Scope. 2019 IOL Market Report. April 2019.
5 National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Eye Institute (NEI), Facts About Cataracts. Accessed July 19, 2019. Available at: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp.
6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vision Health Initiative. Accessed July 19, 2019. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html.
7 Cleveland Clinic, Cataracts. Accessed August 12, 2019. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8589-cataracts.
8 Mayo Clinic, Presbyopia. Accessed August 12, 2019. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328.
9 American Optometric Association: Optometric Clinical Practice Guideline, Care of the Patient with Presbyopia. Accessed August 12, 2019. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/documents/optometrists/CPG-17.pdf.

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