Alcon DAILIES® teams up with US Olympians - world-class gymnast Laurie Hernandez and soccer star Tobin Heath - to launch the Invisible Edge campaign

• Consumer education campaign highlights the important role of vision in giving "everyday" athletes an invisible edge on and off the field
• New survey uncovers that clear eyesight is more important than strength, speed and endurance for nearly 3-in-4 "everyday" athletes who wear contact lenses
• Survey respondents report that comfortable contact lenses give them an edge when competing and help them perform at their best

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, is launching a new consumer education campaign called Invisible Edge with the help of Olympic gold- and silver-medalist Laurie Hernandez and two-time gold-medalist Tobin Heath. These star athletes will be shining a spotlight on the importance of clear vision, including the role of top-performing Alcon DAILIES^® contact lenses in helping give "everyday" athletes an edge while competing at any level. The Invisible Edge campaign is based on a new survey that found clear eyesight tops the list of attributes that help nearly three in four "everyday" athletes perform at their best.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8184651-alcon-dailies-us-olympians

"Whether you're an athlete or just someone aspiring to be at the top of your game – in the workplace, gym or even at home – it's important to have that special something that sets you apart and helps you stay focused," said Tobin Heath. "For me, Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1^® contact lenses help give me that invisible edge. They are so comfortable that it feels like I'm wearing nothing in my eyes so I can concentrate on scoring my next goal or setting up a teammate with the perfect pass."

Alcon recently fielded a survey of 1,000 "everyday" athletes, age 18 and over, who currently play a team sport competitively (intramural or recreation league) or individually (e.g., golfing, cycling or running a marathon). The survey aimed to uncover attitudes, beliefs and values placed on the role of clear and comfortable vision in competitive settings, and how it can provide athletes with an invisible edge on and off the field.

Invisible Edge Survey Findings

For everyday athletes who wear contact lenses, clear eyesight is the most important characteristic for performing at their best.

• About three in four (74%) everyday athletes who wear contacts said great, clear vision is important to helping them perform at their best, ranking it above physical strength (68%), speed (63%) and endurance (63%).¹  
• While competing and performing, 63 percent of athletes who wear contact lenses ranked clear vision as more important than quick reflexes, while 52 percent ranked clear vision as more important than mental focus.¹  

Most everyday athletes who wear contacts say the lenses give them an added edge during competition.   

• More than eight in ten people (83%) who wear contact lenses agree they give them an edge during competition.¹ 
• More than 90 percent of athletes who wear contact lenses agree that comfortable lenses help them perform at their best.¹

Many everyday athletes acknowledge that clear vision is important, yet they say it is most likely to be taken for granted.

• Fifty percent of everyday athletes surveyed say they can't compete at a high level without great, clear vision.¹  
• However, more than half (55%) of those surveyed said that athletes are most likely to take clear vision (eyesight) for granted.¹

"When I first learned that I needed contact lenses, I was surprised because I didn't realize I had vision issues," said Laurie Hernandez. "But the first day I wore my DAILIES^® AquaComfort Plus^® contact lenses in the gym, I immediately noticed how much more clearly I could see the end of the balance beam. The lenses were surprisingly comfortable and so easy to care for because I just put on fresh, new pair of lenses every day. I am thrilled to partner with Alcon to share more about the confidence and freedom I've gained since I started wearing contact lenses."

Throughout the campaign, Tobin Heath will be sharing her personal and professional experiences with DAILIES TOTAL1^® contact lenses. These daily disposable lenses feature the world's first and only water gradient technology, creating a cushion of moisture on the eye for comfort. Laurie Hernandez will share how DAILIES^® AquaComfort Plus^® contact lenses fit into her busy life as a teen on-the-go because they provide all-day comfort due to moisturizing agents that are gradually released throughout the day. DAILIES^® AquaComfort Plus^® contact lenses also help build great habits for first time lens-wearers because there's no need for lens care products.

"We are proud to announce this campaign with Tobin Heath and Laurie Hernandez, two world-class stars in their respective sports," said Sergio Duplan, Region President, North America for Alcon. "Tobin and Laurie are the perfect partners to inspire others by sharing their personal stories and the compelling insights uncovered in the Invisible Edge survey since clear vision is key to their success."

Wearing contact lenses requires a prescription. Make an eye exam appointment today to learn whether Alcon DAILIES TOTAL1^® or Alcon DAILIES^® AquaComfort Plus^® contact lenses are right for you or your family and to request wear, care and safety information. Visit DAILIES.com to learn more.

Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; general economic and industry conditions, including the effects of the persistently weak economic and financial environment in many countries; safety, quality or manufacturing issues, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Alcon
Alcon is the global leader in eye care. As a division of Novartis, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people's lives. Our products touch the lives of more than 260 million people each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors, and there are millions more who are waiting for solutions to meet their eye care needs. Our purpose is reimagining eye care, and we do this through innovative products, partnerships with eye care professionals and programs that enhance access to quality eye care.  Learn more at www.alcon.com.

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About Novartis
Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas. In 2016, the Group achieved net sales of USD 48.5 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

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References
1. Invisible Edge Survey Results, Alcon and Wakefield Research. July 2017.

SOURCE Alcon