Exhibit 99.1

Alcon’s Second Quarter Sales Rise 11.8 Percent

HUNENBERG, Switzerland – July 24, 2006 – Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) reported global sales of $1,310.8 million for the second quarter of 2006, an increase of 11.8 percent over global sales in the second quarter of 2005. The fluctuations in foreign currencies did not have an impact on the growth rate of global sales in the quarter. Net earnings for the second quarter of 2006 increased 43.3 percent to $465.6 million, or $1.50 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $325.0 million, or $1.04 per share for the second quarter of 2005. Earnings in the second quarter of 2006 were positively impacted by the reduction of an accrued liability related to the settlement of several intellectual property lawsuits between Alcon and a competitor, Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. The after-tax impact of this non-cash reduction was $99.1 million, or $0.32 per share on a diluted basis. Net earnings in the second quarter of 2006 were also reduced by approximately $12.5 million, or $0.04 per share, due to the expensing of share-based compensation as a result of the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123(R). If SFAS 123(R) had been in effect in the second quarter of 2005, an after-tax charge of $0.03 per share would have been incurred in that quarter.

“This was an excellent quarter for Alcon as the continued execution of our operating strategy led to strong sales growth in all of our major product groups that translated to continued healthy earnings growth. We experienced global market share gains in key areas of our pharmaceutical business resulting in growth in the mid teens or higher in most of our key branded products. Our surgical business grew faster than the overall market on both a unit and dollar basis due to exceptionally strong IOL growth that further widened our leadership in this category. Finally, our consumer business saw dramatic increases in market share in the U.S. due to the continued success of the launch of OPTI-FREE^® RepleniSH^TM multi-purpose disinfecting solutionand the withdrawal of a competitive product from the market,” said Cary Rayment, Alcon’s chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Second Quarter Sales Highlights

Highlights of sales for the second quarter of 2006 are provided below. Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are versus the second quarter of 2005.

 

• U.S. sales grew 16.0 percent to $690.1 million and International sales grew 7.6 percent to $620.7 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, International sales grew 7.4 percent. While price was neutral for the company as a whole, it had a negative impact on international sales.

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• Pharmaceutical sales grew 11.3 percent to $559.5 million. On a constant currency basis, pharmaceutical sales grew 11.1 percent. Sales of glaucoma products increased 12.0 percent, due to growth in sales of Travatan^® and Azopt^® ophthalmic solutions which offset declines in older glaucoma products. On a global basis, Travatan^® sales rose 19.8 percent due to share gains in the U.S. and other markets, while Azopt^® sales increased 17.6 percent as it benefited from an increased appreciation of its efficacy as an adjunctive therapy with prostaglandin analogues, such as Travatan^® solution. Sales of infection/inflammation products rose 15.4 percent as Vigamox^® ophthalmic solution continued to gain market share in the U.S. Sales of Nevanac^TMophthalmic suspension, which was introduced in the third quarter of 2005, also contributed to the growth of this category. Sales of allergy products rose 1.2 percent as a decline in wholesaler inventories of Patanol^® ophthalmic solution in the U.S. led to slower reported sales in the second quarter despite a strong spring allergy season. Otic product sales grew 20.0 percent, with Ciprodex^® otic suspension continuing to gain market share in the U.S. during the heavy usage summer season.

   

• Surgical sales rose 8.9 percent to $567.4 million. On a constant currency basis, surgical sales rose 9.1 percent. Sales of intraocular lenses increased 16.7 percent to $205.5 million. In terms of units, the AcrySof^® line of intraocular lenses grew 9.7 percent, well above the underlying market growth. Dollar growth in intraocular lenses was higher than unit growth because the company continued to be successful in migrating customers to higher performance products. Combined sales of AcrySof^® IQ and AcrySof^® Natural lenses gained 39.4 percent, partly due to receiving designation of the AcrySof^® IQ lens as a new technology IOL under Medicare. In addition, sales of AcrySof^® ReSTOR^® lenses increased 252.9 percent to $26.7 million. Sales of cataract and vitreoretinal products rose 5.5 percent, with strong growth in the U.S. that was partially offset by relatively flat growth internationally. In the cataract area, the company shipped more than 400 Infiniti^® vision systems in the second quarter, which represents more than a 30 percent increase in units compared to the second quarter of 2005 and over 60 percent compared to the first quarter of 2006. Growth came mostly from upgrades from older technology, but we also were successful in converting competitive systems to the Infiniti^® system. On the vitreoretinal side, steady growth of disposable products and the continuing transition to higher value 25 gauge technologies offset a small decline in capital equipment. Refractive revenue declined 6.2% percent due to a decrease in procedure fees in the U.S.

   

• Consumer eye care sales increased 23.8 percent to $183.9 million, accounting for 14.0 percent of total sales. On a constant currency basis, consumer eye care sales rose 23.5 percent. Sales of contact lens disinfectants grew 38.1 percent due to the continued success of OPTI-FREE^® RepleniSH^® after it’s launch and because OPTI-FREE^® RepleniSH^® and OPTI-FREE^® EXPRESS^® disinfecting solutions both benefited from the market withdrawal of a competitive product during the quarter. In the U.S., where the impact of this withdrawal has been the greatest, the company’s disinfecting solution franchise has gained 9.2 share points in 2006 and now holds a 33.2 percent share of the total market. Sales of artificial tears were also strong, increasing 15.9 percent due to continued growth of Systane^® lubricant eye drops on a global basis.

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Second Quarter Earnings Details

Highlights of earnings for the second quarter of 2006 are provided below. Unless otherwise noted, all increases are versus the second quarter of 2005.

• Gross profit increased 11.4 percent, while gross profit margin declined 0.3 percentage points to 75.2 percent of sales. The decline was due to the impact of share-based compensation expenses, which totaled $3.6 million.

 

• Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales declined 9.0 percentage points to 20.2 percent, due to the recording of a $121.0 million non-cash reduction in litigation provisions related to the settlement of patent litigation with Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. SG&A expenses also included $ 9.6 million of share-based compensation that was not included in expenses in 2005. Research and development expenses as a percent of sales increased 0.9 percentage points to 9.5 percent of sales, due to expenses associated with outside collaboration agreements, other increases in project spending and $4.9 million of share-based compensation that was not included in last year’s second quarter.

   

• Operating profits increased 37.2 percent to $575.8 million, or 43.9 percent of sales, primarily due to the $121.0 million non-cash reduction of earlier litigation provisions, offset by the inclusion of $18.1 million of share-based compensation expense.

   

• Net income rose 43.3 percent as a result of healthy sales growth, the positive after-tax effect of the legal settlement and a lower effective tax rate, which were partially offset by the unfavorable after-tax impact of share-based compensation of $12.5 million.

 

New Product and R&D Pipeline Update

Summarized below are updates on selected new products and significant research and development activities.

 

• Alcon announced a co-promotion agreement with Eli Lilly and Company on their pipeline product Arxxant^* used to treat nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon will be primarily responsible for promoting Arxxant* to retinal specialists and general ophthalmologists if and when it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

   

• Alcon Japan launched both the AcrySof^® Natural intraocular lens and the AcrySert^® IOL insertion device in June 2006.

   

• The company commenced the limited launch of the AcrySof^® Toric lens in the U.S. This lens is used to correct pre-existing astigmatism in cataract patients.

   

• The company commenced shipping the LADAR6000^TM refractive laser in the U.S. following approval by the Food and Drug Administration in May, 2006. The FDA also granted the industry’s broadest wavefront-guided hyperopic indication for Alcon’s CustomCornea^® procedure on both the LADAR6000^TM and the LADARVision^® 4000 system.

 

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Financial Guidance

Alcon’s current financial guidance for the full year 2006 and the factors impacting this guidance are provided below.

• Total sales are expected to be between $4,850 and $4,900 million.

• The company revised its guidance for sales of its AcrySof^® ReSTOR^® intraocular lenses to be at least $100 million.

• Diluted earnings per share are expected to be between $4.45 and $4.55, which includes the $0.32 per share positive impact of the litigation settlement in the second quarter and $0.17 per share negative impact of share-based compensation expense resulting from the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

Other Items

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) designated the AcrySof^® IQ intraocular lens (IOL) as belonging to the New Technology Intraocular Lens (NTIOL) classification of Reduced Spherical Aberration. This NTIOL designation was effective on May 19, 2006 and increases the Medicare payment to ambulatory surgery centers for cataract surgery by $50 when surgery is performed with an AcrySof^® IQ intraocular lens.

• On May 19, 2006, Alcon paid a dividend of CHF1.68 per share to shareholders of record as of May 8, 2006. The U.S. dollar equivalent of this dividend was $1.38 per share and resulted in a total payout of $416.8 million to common shareholders.

• On May 2, 2006, Alcon’s shareholders approved the cancellation of 100,000 Alcon common shares, which were repurchased during 2006. After the fulfillment of certain formal Swiss law requirements, the cancellation became effective July 24, 2006.

Company Description

Alcon, Inc. is the world’s leading eye care company, with sales of $4.37 billion in 2005. Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for more than 50 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon’s majority shareholder is Nestlé, S.A., the world’s largest food company. All trademarks noted in this release are the property of Alcon, Inc., with the exception of Ciprodex^®, which is a registered trademark of property of Bayer AG and licensed to Alcon. Vigamox^® is licensed to Alcon from Bayer AG.

* Arxxant^TM is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company

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ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(USD in millions, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
		2006			2005			2006			2005
Sales	$	1,310.8		$	1,172.0		$	2,467.9		$	2,242.5
Cost of goods sold		325.3			287.7			613.5			576.3
Gross profit		985.5			884.3			1,854.4			1,666.2
Selling, general and administrative		264.8			341.8			651.5			678.3
Research and development		124.3			100.8			243.6			199.3
Amortization of intangibles		20.6			21.9			41.1			42.0
Operating income		575.8			419.8			918.2			746.6
Other income (expense):
Gain (loss) from foreign currency, net		(7.5	)		(0.6	)		(9.4	)		1.8
Interest income		20.2			12.5			39.0			20.6
Interest expense		(9.3	)		(9.4	)		(21.8	)		(18.1	)
Other, net		1.3			0.3			8.6			-
Earnings before income taxes		580.5			422.6			934.6			750.9
Income taxes		114.9			97.6			173.3			176.4
Net earnings	$	465.6		$	325.0		$	761.3		$	574.5
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.52		$	1.06		$	2.49		$	1.88
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.50		$	1.04		$	2.45		$	1.85
Basic weighted average common shares		306,070,731			306,520,335			306,278,027			305,729,518
Diluted weighted average common shares		310,318,545			312,047,408			310,979,247			311,280,508

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

	Three Months Ended								Foreign		%Change in
	June 30,								Currency		Constant
		2006			2005		%Change		%Change		Currency
GEOGRAPHIC SALES
United States:
Pharmaceutical	$	347.9		$	311.0		11.9	%	-	%	11.9	%
Surgical		244.3			214.3		14.0		-		14.0
Consumer Eye Care		97.9			69.6		40.7		-		40.7
Total United States Sales		690.1			594.9		16.0		-		16.0
International:
Pharmaceutical		211.6			191.6		10.4		0.6		9.8
Surgical		323.1			306.5		5.4		(0.3	)	5.7
Consumer Eye Care		86.0			79.0		8.9		0.5		8.4
Total International Sales		620.7			577.1		7.6		0.2		7.4
Total Global Sales	$	1,310.8		$	1,172.0		11.8	%	-	%	11.8	%
PRODUCT SALES
Infection/inflammation	$	198.4		$	171.9		15.4	%
Glaucoma		174.9			156.2		12.0
Allergy		137.0			135.4		1.2
Otic		72.1			60.1		20.0
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates		(22.9	)		(21.0	)	N/M
Total Pharmaceutical		559.5			502.6		11.3		0.2	%	11.1	%
Intraocular lenses		205.5			176.1		16.7
Cataract/vitreoretinal		348.4			330.3		5.5
Refractive		13.5			14.4		(6.2	)
Total Surgical		567.4			520.8		8.9		(0.2	)	9.1
Contact lens disinfectants		101.2			73.3		38.1
Artificial tears		50.4			43.5		15.9
Other		32.3			31.8		1.6
Total Consumer Eye Care		183.9			148.6		23.8		0.3		23.5
Total Global Sales	$	1,310.8		$	1,172.0		11.8	%	-	%	11.8	%

N/M - Not Meaningful

Note: Percent Change in Constant Currency calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. Management believes constant currency sales growth is an important measure of the company’s operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core rate of sales growth due to changes in unit volumes and local currency prices. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year presentation.

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

	Six Months Ended								Foreign		%Change in
	June 30,								Currency		Constant
		2006			2005		%Change		%Change		Currency
GEOGRAPHIC SALES
United States:
Pharmaceutical	$	627.0		$	563.6		11.2	%	-	%	11.2	%
Surgical		467.8			411.7		13.6		-		13.6
Consumer Eye Care		172.0			140.8		22.2		-		22.2
Total United States Sales		1,266.8			1,116.1		13.5		-		13.5
International:
Pharmaceutical		407.6			371.0		9.9		(1.4	)	11.3
Surgical		624.8			597.4		4.6		(2.9	)	7.5
Consumer Eye Care		168.7			158.0		6.8		(0.9	)	7.7
Total International Sales		1,201.1			1,126.4		6.6		(2.2	)	8.8
Total Global Sales	$	2,467.9		$	2,242.5		10.1	%	(1.0	)%	11.1	%
PRODUCT SALES
Infection/inflammation	$	374.2		$	334.1		12.0	%
Glaucoma		333.7			310.5		7.5
Allergy		244.0			222.1		9.9
Otic		118.5			103.1		14.9
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates		(35.8	)		(35.2	)	N/M
Total Pharmaceutical		1,034.6			934.6		10.7		(0.6	)%	11.3	%
Intraocular lenses		394.0			334.9		17.6
Cataract/vitreoretinal		671.3			642.7		4.4
Refractive		27.3			31.5		(13.3	)
Total Surgical		1,092.6			1,009.1		8.3		(1.7	)	10.0
Contact lens disinfectants		178.9			149.1		20.0
Artificial tears		100.5			87.2		15.3
Other		61.3			62.5		(1.9	)
Total Consumer Eye Care		340.7			298.8		14.0		(0.5	)	14.5
Total Global Sales	$	2,467.9		$	2,242.5		10.1	%	(1.0	)%	11.1	%

N/M - Not Meaningful

Note: Percent Change in Constant Currency calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. Management believes constant currency sales growth is an important measure of the company’s operations because it provides investors with a clearer picture of the core rate of sales growth due to changes in unit volumes and local currency prices. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year presentation.

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(USD in millions)

		June 30,			Dec. 31,
		2006			2005
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,237.6		$	1,457.2
Short term investments		402.7			377.7
Trade receivables, net		901.2			725.4
Inventories		450.6			427.2
Deferred income tax assets		127.0			131.5
Other current assets		162.9			149.0
Total current assets		3,282.0			3,268.0
Long term investments		157.6			154.8
Property, plant and equipment, net		861.6			829.6
Intangible assets, net		252.8			293.7
Goodwill		552.1			550.0
Long term deferred income tax assets		110.7			77.5
Other assets		56.7			54.6
Total assets	$	5,273.5		$	5,228.2
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	154.2		$	156.0
Short term borrowings		845.9			1,021.5
Current maturities of long term debt		6.0			5.9
Other current liabilities		1,117.1			1,095.1
Total current liabilities		2,123.2			2,278.5
Long term debt, net of current maturities		50.9			56.0
Long term deferred income tax liabilities		16.0			15.8
Other long term liabilities		343.8			321.8
Contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common shares		43.6			43.4
Additional paid-in capital		930.9			806.3
Accumulated other comprehensive income		140.7			90.9
Retained earnings		2,626.1			2,282.3
Treasury shares, at cost		(1,001.7	)		(666.8	)
Total shareholders' equity		2,739.6			2,556.1
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	5,273.5		$	5,228.2

Note: Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with current year presentation.

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(USD in millions)

	Three months ended June 30,
		2006			2005
Cash provided by operating activities:
Net cash from operating activities	$	747.7		$	653.5
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(83.4	)		(65.1	)
Purchases of intangible assets		--			(2.8	)
Net purchases of available-for-sale investments		(26.4	)		(220.1	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		0.7			1.3
Net cash from investing activities		(109.1	)		(286.7	)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities:		(186.4	)		186.7
Net proceeds from (repayment of) short term debt		(5.4	)		(4.8	)
Repayment of long term debt		(416.8	)		(302.0	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		50.1			119.8
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		49.0			--
Acquisition of treasury shares		(361.5	)		(200.5	)
Net cash from financing activities		(871.0	)		(200.8	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		12.8			(48.8	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(219.6	)		117.2
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,457.2			1,093.4
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	1,237.6		$	1,210.6
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for the following:
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized	$	22.4		$	18.8
Income taxes	$	73.3		$	74.6

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements principally relate to statements regarding the expectations of our management with respect to the future performance of various aspects of our business. 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. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "hope," "intend," "estimate," "project," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify 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 and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. 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: the development of commercially viable products may take longer and cost more than expected; changes in reimbursement procedures by third party payers may affect our sales and profits; competition may lead to worse than expected financial condition and results of operations; currency exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations; pending or future litigation may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations; litigation settlements may adversely impact our financial condition; the occurrence of excessive property and casualty, general liability or business interruption losses, for which we are self-insured, may adversely impact our financial condition; product recalls or withdrawals may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; government regulation or legislation may negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations; changes in tax laws or regulations in the jurisdictions in which we and our subsidiaries are subject to taxation may adversely impact our financial performance; supply and manufacturing disruptions could negatively impact our financial condition or results of operations. You should read this press release with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. 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 more information, contact:

Doug MacHatton

Vice President,

Investor Relations and Strategic Corporate Communications

817-551-8974

or

Matthew Head

Manager,

Investor Relations

817-551-8550

www.alconinc.com