Exhibit 99.1

Alcon Posts 12.5 Percent Rise in Second Quarter Sales

Second Quarter Highlights

·   Sales increased to $1.89 billion (+11.3 percent organic growth, +12.5 percent reported)

·   Adjusted operating income rose 19.5 percent (+18.8 percent reported)

·   Adjusted diluted EPS increased 14.4 percent to $2.22 (+13.9 percent to $2.21 reported)

·   Advanced technology intraocular lens sales rose 22.3 percent organically (+23.8 percent reported)

·   Glaucoma pharmaceutical sales increased 17.2 percent organically (+17.5 percent reported)

·   Sales in emerging markets rose 24.2 percent organically (+28.8 percent reported)

·   DuoTrav® combination ophthalmic solution launched in Japan

·   AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Toric received CE mark in European Union

HUENENBERG, Switzerland – July 26, 2010 – Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) reported that global sales rose 12.5 percent to $1.89 billion for the second quarter of 2010, or 11.3 percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions.  Revenue from acquisitions added 40 basis points to sales growth in the quarter, while foreign currency fluctuations added 80 basis points of growth.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2010 grew 15.1 percent to $670 million, or $2.21 per diluted share, compared to $582 million, or $1.94 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2009.  Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings would have grown 15.8 percent to $674 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, compared to second quarter 2009 net earnings.

Adjusted net earnings in the second quarter of 2010 exclude $4 million in other operating expenses related to the potential change of control and merger proposal from Novartis AG.  Reconciliations of reported and adjusted results for the second quarter are included in the financial tables below.

“Our strong performance in the first half of this year was driven by the successful global execution of our operational strategies and was further supported by a lower first half comparison period.  We have risen above the global reimbursement challenges in 2010 to achieve very positive organic sales growth at the Alcon group level and market share expansion of our key promoted brands on a global basis.  Key growth drivers like advanced technology intraocular lenses, glaucoma treatments and emerging markets are providing both near-term and durable long-term opportunities,” said Kevin Buehler, Alcon’s president and chief executive officer.  “These results and our outlook for the balance of the year reflect an improved market environment that we expect to support sustainable organic sales growth and operating leverage in the future.”

Sales Highlights

Summarized below are sales highlights for the second quarter of 2010. All growth comparisons are for the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009. Organic sales growth rates exclude currency impacts and acquisitions and are non-GAAP measures that are reconciled in a table at the end of this release.

Ø   U.S. sales increased 12.7 percent due to strong contributions from advanced technology AcrySof® intraocular lenses, healthy growth in glaucoma sales and the stronger seasonal impact of a severe allergy season on sales of Patanol® and Pataday® ophthalmic solutions and Patanase® nasal spray.  Sales growth included 90 basis points from acquisitions and also benefitted from a more favorable market environment when compared to the second quarter of 2009.

Ø   Sales in international markets rose 10.8 percent on an organic basis (+12.3 percent reported) due to strong sales of pharmaceutical products and balanced contributions from most global markets.

o   Sales in emerging markets increased 24.2 percent on an organic basis (+28.8 percent reported), led by the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China), which rose 28.9 percent organically (+40.0 percent reported).

o   International pharmaceutical sales rose 12.7 percent organically (+13.7 percent reported) with broadly-based growth in all therapeutic areas.

Ø   Global sales of pharmaceutical products were $837 million, an increase of 16.5 percent on an organic basis (+17.4 percent reported), due to continued solid global performance of the glaucoma franchise and a severe allergy season in the United States.

o   Global glaucoma sales rose 17.2 percent organically (+17.5 percent reported). The Azopt® family of products (Azopt® and AZARGA® ophthalmic suspensions) increased 15.1 percent organically (+14.8 percent reported), led by continued market penetration of AZARGA®outside the United States.  Global sales of the TRAVATAN®family of products (TRAVATAN®, TRAVATAN Z® and DuoTrav® ophthalmic solutions) rose 13.8 percent on an organic basis (+14.3 percent reported).

o   Global sales of allergy products rose 31.9 percent on an organic basis (+32.5 percent reported) as the severe allergy season in the United States drove sales of Patanol® and Pataday® ophthalmic solutions.

Ø   Global surgical sales increased 7.4 percent on an organic basis (+8.7 percent reported) to $823 million, primarily attributable to a 7.3 percent organic rise (+8.3 percent reported) in sales of intraocular lenses.

o   Global sales of advanced technology intraocular lenses rose 22.3 percent organically (+23.8 percent reported) on increasing adoption and utilization by cataract surgeons of the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® +3.0 lens and the AcrySof® IQ Toric lens.

Ø   Global sales of consumer eye care products rose 7.7 percent on an organic basis (+9.2 percent reported) to $226 million on the strong global performance the Systane® family of lubricant eye drops.

Earnings Highlights

Summarized below are earnings highlights for the second quarter of 2010. All growth comparisons are for the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009.

Ø   Gross profit margin was consistent with management expectations at 77.4 percent compared to 75.3 percent in 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable to the impact of foreign exchange rates on cost of goods sold in each period.

Ø   Operating income rose 18.8 percent to $751 million, or 39.8 percent of sales.  Non-GAAP adjusted operating income would have increased 19.5 percent to $755 million, or 40.0 percent of sales.  This performance was attributable to strong sales growth, positive price contribution and SG&A leverage, as well as the temporary impact of foreign exchange on gross profit margin.  Adjusted operating income in the second

Ø   quarter of 2010 excludes $4 million in pre-tax other operating expenses related to the potential change of control and the merger proposal from Novartis.

Ø   Net earnings in the second quarter of 2010 rose 15.1 percent to $670 million, or $2.21 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings would have risen 15.8 percent to $674 million, or $2.22 per diluted share.  Adjusted net earnings exclude $4 million in costs related to the potential change of control.

Other Highlights

Ø   On July 6, 2010, the company announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LenSx Lasers, Inc., an ophthalmic laser surgery company that has developed a customizable, image-guided femtosecond laser.  This laser provides the surgeon with a complementary technology to perform certain steps in a cataract procedure with the precision of a laser instead of performing these steps manually with handheld instruments.

Ø   On June 11, 2010, Alcon Japan Ltd. announced the launch in Japan of DuoTrav® combination ophthalmic solution for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Ø   The company has begun the transition to TRAVATAN Z® ophthalmic solution as its exclusive prostaglandin analogue (PGA) in the United States for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.  TRAVATAN Z® is the only PGA available in the United States that does not contain benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a common preservative to which some patients are sensitive or allergic.

Ø   The company received a CE mark in the European Union for the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Toric intraocular lens for the correction of both presbyopia and astigmatism and for the WaveLight®FS-200 femtosecond laser for the creation of corneal flaps during refractive laser surgery.

Ø   Systane® BALANCE lubricant eye drops, designed specifically for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction, was launched in the United States in July.

Ø   On May 7, 2010, the company filed a drug approval application in selected European Union markets for a BAK-free formulation of TRAVATAN®ophthalmic solution.

Ø   On May 20, 2010, the company filed a New Drug Application (NDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new formulation of moxifloxacin for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Ø   The company filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the FDA on May 10, 2010 for a generic version of bromfenac sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and swelling following eye surgery.

Financial Guidance

The company raised its full year 2010 guidance for organic sales growth from the mid-to-high single digits to the high single digits.  It also raised its earnings per share guidance to a range of $7.45 to $7.62.  The higher guidance includes the impact of European fiscal austerity actions, a currency headwind in the second half of the year and higher research and development spending on internal projects as well as business development initiatives.  The guidance includes the on-going impact of health care reform, which is expected to reduce full year 2010 sales by $20 million and earnings per share by $0.06.  Full year guidance excludes costs related to a potential change of control to and/or merger with Novartis and the first quarter impacts of a change in royalty estimate.  It also excludes the catch-up impact of the change in tax treatment of U.S. retiree medical expenses related to U.S. health care reform. The full year guidance assumes renewal of the U.S. Research and Experimentation tax credit in the fourth quarter of 2010 with retroactive application.

Company Description

Alcon, Inc. is the world’s leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $6.5 billion in 2009.  Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contacts lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.  Alcon operates in 75 countries and sells products in 180 markets.  For more information on Alcon, Inc., visit the Company’s web site at www.alcon.com.

# # #

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; a weakening economy could affect demand for our products; 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; completion of a potential change of control to Novartis; completion of a potential merger with Novartis; pending or future litigation, including with respect to a potential merger with Novartis, 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,Treasury and

Investor and Public Relations

(817) 551-8974

doug.machatton@alconlabs.com

John Selzer

Director, Investor Relations

(817) 568-6166

john.selzer@alconlabs.com

www.alcon.com

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(in millions, except share data)

	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Sales	$	1,886		$	1,677		$	3,607		$	3,170
Cost of goods sold		426			415			818			769
Gross profit		1,460			1,262			2,789			2,401
Selling, general and administrative		508			468			1,000			940
Research and development		184			157			353			303
Amortization of intangibles		13			5			24			12
Other operating expenses		4			--			8			--
Operating income		751			632			1,404			1,146
Other income (expense):
Gain (loss) from foreign currency, net		(5	)		9			(7	)		(1	)
Interest income		8			13			16			24
Interest expense		(2	)		(5	)		(5	)		(10	)
Other, net		16			2			36			6
Earnings before income taxes		768			651			1,444			1,165
Income taxes		98			69			201			131
Net earnings	$	670		$	582		$	1,243		$	1,034
Basic earnings per common share	$	2.23		$	1.95		$	4.14		$	3.46
Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.21		$	1.94		$	4.09		$	3.44
Basic weighted average common shares		300,453,325			298,744,287			300,218,403			298,663,437
Diluted weighted average common shares		303,645,943			300,638,975			303,618,180			300,328,778

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

	Three Months Ended								Foreign		Change in
	June 30,								Currency		Constant
	2010			2009			Change		Change		Currency
Geographic Sales
Alcon United States:
Pharmaceutical	$	471		$	391		20.5	%	--	%	20.5	%
Surgical		310			296		4.7		--		4.7
Consumer Eye Care		109			103		5.8		--		5.8
Total United States Sales		890			790		12.7		--		12.7
Alcon International:
Pharmaceutical		366			322		13.7		1.0		12.7
Surgical		513			461		11.3		1.5		9.8
Consumer Eye Care		117			104		12.5		2.9		9.6
Total International Sales		996			887		12.3		1.5		10.8
Total Global Sales	$	1,886		$	1,677		12.5		0.8		11.7
Global Product Sales
Infection/inflammation	$	248		$	208		19.2	%	--	%	19.2	%
Glaucoma		322			274		17.5		0.3		17.2
Allergy		212			160		32.5		0.6		31.9
Otic/nasal		114			103		10.7		---		10.7
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates		(59	)		(32	)	N/M		N/M		N/M
Total Pharmaceutical		837			713		17.4		0.4		17.0
Intraocular lenses		313			289		8.3		1.0		7.3
Cataract/vitreoretinal/other		482			440		9.5		0.9		8.6
Refractive		28			28		--		--		--
Total Surgical		823			757		8.7		0.9		7.8
Contact lens disinfectants		123			116		6.0		0.8		5.2
Artificial tears		80			70		14.3		1.4		12.9
Other		23			21		9.5		4.7		4.8
Total Consumer Eye Care		226			207		9.2		1.5		7.7
Total Global Sales	$	1,886		$	1,677		12.5		0.8		11.7

N/M - Not Meaningful

Note: Change in constant currency calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. Management believes constant currency sales change 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.  This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

	Six Months Ended								Foreign		Change in
	June 30,								Currency		Constant
	2010			2009			Change		Change		Currency
Geographic Sales
Alcon United States:
Pharmaceutical	$	808		$	698		15.8	%	--	%	15.8	%
Surgical		597			554		7.8		--		7.8
Consumer Eye Care		211			196		7.7		--		7.7
Total United States Sales		1,616			1,448		11.6		--		11.6
Alcon International:
Pharmaceutical		757			641		18.1		5.0		13.1
Surgical		998			876		13.9		5.3		8.6
Consumer Eye Care		236			205		15.1		7.3		7.8
Total International Sales		1,991			1,722		15.6		5.4		10.2
Total Global Sales	$	3,607		$	3,170		13.8		3.0		10.8
Global Product Sales
Infection/inflammation	$	478		$	410		16.6	%	2.0	%	14.6	%
Glaucoma		625			507		23.3		3.0		20.3
Allergy		350			303		15.5		1.3		14.2
Otic/nasal		198			179		10.6		1.1		9.5
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates		(86	)		(60	)	N/M		N/M		N/M
Total Pharmaceutical		1,565			1,339		16.9		2.4		14.5
Intraocular lenses		604			537		12.5		3.6		8.9
Cataract/vitreoretinal/other		935			840		11.3		3.2		8.1
Refractive		56			53		5.7		1.9		3.8
Total Surgical		1,595			1,430		11.5		3.2		8.3
Contact lens disinfectants		238			222		7.2		2.7		4.5
Artificial tears		161			135		19.3		5.2		14.1
Other		48			44		9.1		4.6		4.5
Total Consumer Eye Care		447			401		11.5		3.8		7.7
Total Global Sales	$	3,607		$	3,170		13.8		3.0		10.8

N/M - Not Meaningful

Note: Change in constant currency calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations. Management believes constant currency sales change 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.  This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in millions, except share data)

	June 30,			December 31,
	2010			2009
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,295		$	3,007
Short term investments		603			479
Trade receivables, net		1,411			1,346
Inventories		596			626
Deferred income tax assets		178			162
Other current assets		252			213
Total current assets		5,335			5,833
Long term investments		256			73
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,274			1,304
Intangible assets, net		533			255
Goodwill		690			688
Long term deferred income tax assets		369			391
Other assets		142			142
Total assets	$	8,599		$	8,686
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	330		$	321
Short term borrowings		291			607
Current maturities of long term debt		57			--
Other current liabilities		1,106			1,047
Total current liabilities		1,784			1,975
Long term debt, net of current maturities		--			56
Long term deferred income tax liabilities		68			59
Other long term liabilities		719			691
Contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares		42			42
Additional paid-in capital		1,589			1,535
Accumulated other comprehensive income		17			203
Retained earnings		4,738			4,533
Treasury shares, at cost		(358	)		(408	)
Total shareholders' equity		6,028			5,905
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	8,599		$	8,686

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in millions)

	Six months ended June 30,
	2010			2009
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net earnings	$	1,243		$	1,034
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided from
operating activities:
Depreciation		104			92
Amortization of intangibles		24			12
Share-based payments		36			41
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		6			1
Deferred income taxes		(3	)		65
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		(32	)		55
Unrealized appreciation on trading securities		(5	)		(66	)
Other, net		4			6
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisition:
Trade receivables		(136	)		(144	)
Inventories		(27	)		(35	)
Other assets		(15	)		(2	)
Accounts payable		20			18
Other current liabilities		78			31
Other long term liabilities		13			7
Net cash from operating activities		1,310			1,115
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(142	)		(139	)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(157	)		--
Purchases of intangible assets		(137	)		(1	)
Purchases of investments		(1,303	)		(657	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments		972			717
Other, net		3			--
Net cash from investing activities		(764	)		(80	)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from (repayment of) short term debt		(269	)		(187	)
Repayment of long term debt		--			(1	)
Dividends on common shares		(1,037	)		(1,048	)
Acquisition of treasury shares		(12	)		(5	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		56			10
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		17			--
Net cash from financing activities		(1,245	)		(1,231	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(13	)		7
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(712	)		(189	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,007			2,449
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	2,295		$	2,260

 ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(in millions, except per share data)

	Operating Income
	Q2 2010	Q2 2009	Growth %	Q2 2010 % of Sales
As Reported	$     751	$     632	18.8%	39.8%
Change of Control Expenses	4	--
As Adjusted	$     755	$     632	19.5	40.0

	Net Earnings
	Q2 2010	Q2 2009	Growth %
As Reported	$     670	$     582	15.1%
Change of Control Expenses	4	--
As Adjusted	$     674	$     582	15.8

	Diluted EPS
	Q2 2010	Q2 2009	Growth %
As Reported	$     2.21	$     1.94	13.9%
Change of Control Expenses	0.01	--
As Adjusted	$     2.22	$      1.94	14.4

Note: Adjusted operating income, net earnings and adjusted diluted EPS measure the results of the company's operations without certain items that did not pertain to the comparable period. Management believes these measures are an important measure of the company’s operations because they provide investors with a clearer picture of the core operations of the company.  These measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Three Months Ended							Foreign
	June 30,							Currency			Acquisition			Organic
	2010		2009		Change			Change			Change			Change
Sales by Product Line:
Pharmaceutical	$	837	$	713		17.4	%		0.4	%		0.5	%		16.5	%
Surgical		823		757		8.7			0.9			0.4			7.4
Consumer Eye Care		226		207		9.2			1.5			--			7.7
Total Global Sales	$	1,886	$	1,677		12.5			0.8			0.4			11.3

Q2 2010 Sales	Change			Foreign Currency Change			Acquisition Change			Organic Change
United States		12.7	%		--	%		0.9	%		11.8	%
International markets		12.3			1.5			--			10.8
Emerging markets		28.8			4.6			--			24.2
BRIC nations		40.0			11.1			--			28.9
Glaucoma pharmaceuticals		17.5			0.3			--			17.2
Azopt® family		14.8			(0.3)			--			15.1
TRAVATAN® family		14.3			0.5			--			13.8
Allergy pharmaceuticals		32.5			0.6			--			31.9
Intraocular lenses		8.3			1.0			--			7.3
Advanced technology intraocular lenses		23.8			1.5			--			22.3

Note: Organic change calculates sales growth without the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisitions. Management believes organic sales change 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.  This measure is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.