Alcon For immediate release Alcon Views AMO Patent Lawsuit as Meritless Fort Worth, Texas

Alcon Views AMO Patent

Lawsuit as Meritless

Fort Worth, Texas December 16,

2003 On December 3, 2003, Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) filed a complaint against

Alcon Laboratories, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, which

alleges patent infringement associated with sales of Alcon s market leading

phacoemulsification surgical products: the Infiniti Vision System and the

AdvanTec Legacy System.

has long been recognized as a pioneer and innovator in the phacoemulsification area and

over the years has built a very broad patent portfolio. After a review of the lawsuit, the

company believes the asserted claims are without merit. Alcon intends to vigorously defend

its intellectual property against these claims.

is the world s leading eye care company and has been dedicated to the ophthalmic

industry for more than 50 years. Alcon develops manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals,

surgical equipment and devices, contact lens solutions and other vision care products that

treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.

Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains forward-looking

statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which

may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from

any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by our

forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the views of our management as of the

date of this press release with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and

subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue

reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to

differ include, but are not limited to, the following: Alcon may not prevail in this

lawsuit. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future

results may be materially different from what we expect. Except to the extent required

under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the

Securities and Exchange Commission, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or

revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or

future events or circumstances or otherwise.

For information, contact:

MacHatton (Investor Relations)

media inquiries: Mary Dulle (Corporate Communications)