Beginning in Texas in 1945, Alcon is now more than a $3.4 billion pharmaceutical company. They were acquisitioned by nutritional giant Nestle in 1977 and today operate in 70 different countries, with over 12,000 employees worldwide. They have been in the UK since 1969.

Alcon specialises in the development of ophthalmic pharmaceutical, ophthalmic surgical, vision care and otic products. They expanded their ophthalmic product line in 2000 when they acquired Summit Autonomous, experts in refractive surgery. With the excimer lasers, and other technology, they have become the ophthalmic product source of choice for eye care specialists.

Though their focus remains in eye care, Alcon is expanding into the ear market too. Alcon aims to be both the low cost and the product quality leader. Around 1000 scientists, engineers and support staff work on Alcon's research and development worldwide.

Through their Medical Missions Program they aim to preserve and restore sight to the less fortunate. To this end they contribute products to more than 1200 medical missions across 85 developing countries.

Products

Alcon offers a range of products from the LADARVision System of Lasik technology for laser eye surgery to multipurpose solutions for contact lens users, such as OPTI-1, and for retention of eye moisture OPTI-FREE express. They also produce ICaps, a dietary supplement for the eyes and Supranettes hygienic eye care pads. Other brands include Unique-pH multi-purpose solution and Systane eye drops.

www.alconlabs.com

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