Alcon Statement Re: The Times Of London Article Of August 28, 2004

The article appearing in the August 28, 2004 edition

of The Times of London regarding Alcon and its LADARVision 4000 is based on allegations that

are false and inaccurate. This article is based on the invalid contentions of parties who are attempting

to avoid multi-million dollar debt owed to Alcon by raising claims that are completely unsupported by

scientific or legitimate evidence.

The LADARVision system is safe and effective. It has

been extensively tested in clinical trials, and was approved for its intended use by the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies around the world. In the five years it s been on the

market, more than one million eyes worldwide have been treated successfully with LADARVision, and numerous

peer-reviewed articles support the high quality patient results generated by the system.

Alcon has a long-standing commitment to patient safety

and to providing the highest quality products to its customers and their patients. Alcon is the world s

leading eye care company, and has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for more than 50 years.

Allegations and claims made in The Times article

are completely without merit. The actual facts regarding these issues are well documented and

There is no valid basis to the many erroneous and distorted

claims made against Alcon or LADARVision in this article. Alcon conducts its business in an open and

forthright manner. Although the potential exists for complications with any surgical procedure, the

objective, truly scientific evidence supports the safety and efficacy of the LADARVision System. The

contents of this article, based on the allegations of financially motivated parties, are refuted by

the scientific evidence.

For more information contact: Doug MacHatton, Alcon,

Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This exhibit 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 that 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 filing this exhibit 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. You should read this exhibit 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.