Exhibit 99.1

Alcon Third Quarter Sales Rise 9.0 Percent

Third Quarter Highlights

·   Sales increased to $1.76 billion (+8.7 percent organic growth,+9.0 percent reported)

·   Adjusted diluted EPS increased 7.6 percent to $1.84 (-14.0 percent to $1.47 reported)

·   Reported results include $133 million of pre-tax expenses ($113 million after-tax) related to change of majority ownership

·   Sales in emerging markets rose 19.2 percent organically (+20.2 percent reported)

·   Advanced technology intraocular lens sales rose 13.6 percent organically (+13.5 percent reported)

·   Glaucoma pharmaceutical sales increased 11.5 percent organically (+10.5 percent reported)

·   AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Toric intraocular lens launched outside the United States

·   TobraDex® ST ophthalmic suspension launched in the United States

HUENENBERG, Switzerland – October 20, 2010 – Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) reported that global sales rose 9.0 percent to $1.76 billion for the third quarter of 2010.  Revenue from acquisitions added 70 basis points to sales growth in the quarter, while foreign currency fluctuations reduced reported sales growth by 40 basis points.

Net earnings for the third quarter of 2010 declined 13.4 percent to $446 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, compared to $515 million, or $1.71 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2009.  Reported net earnings in the third quarter of 2010 include $113 million in after-tax other operating expenses related to the change of majority ownership and merger proposal from Novartis AG.  Excluding these expenses, non-GAAP adjusted net earnings would have grown 8.5 percent to $559 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, compared to third quarter 2009 net earnings.  Reconciliations of reported and adjusted results for the third quarter are included in the financial tables below.

“Alcon’s operational and financial performance in the third quarter clearly demonstrates our ability to combine our commercial capabilities and global scale to achieve sustainable organic growth.  Once again, we have delivered high-quality results from our core operations, supplemented by strong growth from our recent acquisitions,” said Kevin Buehler, Alcon’s president and chief executive officer.  “With the solid results posted in the first three quarters of the year, we are on track to deliver against our full-year revenue and profit guidance.”

Sales Highlights

Summarized below are sales highlights for the third quarter of 2010. All growth comparisons are for the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third 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 9.5 percent to $803 million, led by sales of pharmaceutical products, which grew 19.1 percent.

o   The severe summer otic season lifted sales of CIPRODEX® otic suspension by 37.5 percent.

o   The recent acquisitions of Optonol and DUREZOL® ophthalmic steroid added 160 basis points of growth.

Ø   Sales in international markets rose 9.3 percent on an organic basis (+8.6 percent reported) to $957 million with balanced contributions from most global markets.

o   Sales in emerging markets increased 19.2 percent organically (+20.2 percent reported), led by the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China), which together rose 20.5 percent on an organic basis (+25.6 percent reported).

o   International pharmaceutical sales increased 12.5 percent organically (+11.0 percent reported) on broad-based growth across most therapeutic categories.

Ø   Global sales of pharmaceutical products increased 14.2 percent on an organic basis (+15.0 percent reported) to $758 million, primarily due to continued solid global performance of the glaucoma franchise and a severe otic season in the United States.

o   Global glaucoma sales rose 11.5 percent organically (+10.5 percent reported) led by strong growth of DuoTrav® ophthalmic solution and continued market penetration of AZARGA® ophthalmic suspension outside the United States.

Ø   Global surgical sales were $767 million, an increase of 3.7 percent on an organic basis (+3.8 percent reported).

o   Global sales of advanced technology intraocular lenses rose 13.6 percent organically (+13.5 percent reported) on continued adoption and utilization by cataract surgeons of the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® +3.0 and AcrySof® IQ Toric intraocular lenses.

Ø   Global sales of consumer eye care products rose 8.8 percent on an organic basis (+8.8 percent reported) to $235 million on the strong global performance the Systane® family of lubricant eye drops.

o   Launch of Systane® BALANCE lubricant eye drops in the United States contributed to strong performance in the artificial tear category, which rose 19.2 percent organically (+17.8 percent reported).

Earnings Highlights

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

Ø   Gross profit margin was consistent with management expectations at 76.0 percent compared to 75.3 percent in 2009.  The increase was primarily attributable to the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations in each period and positive price contribution.

Ø   Operating income declined 14.4 percent to $495 million, or 28.1 percent of sales.  Non-GAAP adjusted operating income would have increased 8.7 percent to $628 million, or 35.7 percent of sales.  This performance was attributable to solid sales growth, positive price contribution, the temporary favorable impact of foreign exchange rates on gross profit and SG&A leverage.  The solid growth in operating profit was achieved while increasing spending on value creating commercial activities and growing R&D spending by over 16 percent.  Adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2010 excludes $133 million in other operating expenses related to the change of majority ownership and merger proposal from Novartis.

Ø   Net earnings declined 13.4 percent to $446 million, or $1.47 per diluted share.  Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings would have risen 8.5 percent to $559 million, or $1.84 per diluted share.  Adjusted net earnings in the third quarter of 2010 exclude $113 million of after-tax costs related to the change of majority ownership and merger proposal from Novartis.  In addition to the positive operational factors noted above, the growth in adjusted net earnings was reduced by a decline in interest and other income related to

the company’s investment portfolio and the expiration of the U.S. Research and Experimentation Tax Credit.

Other Highlights

Ø   The company received regulatory approval and completed the acquisition of LenSx Lasers, Inc., a laser device company that has developed a customizable, image-guided femtosecond laser to perform certain steps during cataract surgery, including anterior capsulorhexis and lens fragmentation.  The LenSx femtosecond laser was the first such laser to receive United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for use as a part of cataract surgery.

Ø   The company commenced the launch of the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Toric intraocular lens for the correction of both presbyopia and astigmatism outside the United States.   This new intraocular lens provides presbyopic correction for cataract patients who have pre-existing astigmatism without the need for additional surgical procedures.

Ø   The company launched TobraDex® ST ophthalmic suspension, a topical antibiotic and corticosteroid combination, in the United States.  TobraDex® STis indicated for steroid-responsive inflammatory ocular conditions for which a corticosteroid is indicated and where superficial bacterial ocular infection or a risk of bacterial ocular infection exists.

Ø   The company introduced the WaveLight® Refractive Suite outside the United States.  This new refractive suite features the 200 kHz WaveLight® FS-200 femtosecond laser for the creation of corneal flaps during refractive laser surgery and the new 500Hz WaveLight® EX-500 excimer laser.

Ø   The FDA approved TRAVATAN Z® ophthalmic solution for first-line treatment of elevated intraocular pressure associated with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Ø   On August 26, 2010, Novartis AG and Nestlé S.A. announced they had completed the purchase and sale of approximately 156 million shares of Alcon, Inc. for $28.3 billion in cash.  This purchase made Novartis Alcon’s majority shareholder with ownership of approximately 77 percent of Alcon’s outstanding shares.

Financial Guidance

The company affirmed its full year 2010 guidance for organic sales growth in the high single digits and raised earnings per share guidance to $7.58 to $7.68.  Guidance includes the impact of higher research and development spending than in the third quarter and the potential for additional business development transactions.  It also 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.  Guidance excludes costs related to the change of majority ownership to Novartis and the first quarter impact 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 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						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Sales	$	1,760		$	1,614		$	5,367		$	4,784
Cost of goods sold		422			399			1,240			1,168
Gross profit		1,338			1,215			4,127			3,616
Selling, general and administrative		511			474			1,511			1,414
Research and development		184			158			537			461
Amortization of intangibles		15			5			39			17
Other operating expenses		133			--			141			--
Operating income		495			578			1,899			1,724
Other income (expense):
Gain (loss) from foreign currency, net		3			--			(4	)		(1	)
Interest income		6			13			22			37
Interest expense		(2	)		(3	)		(7	)		(13	)
Other, net		--			6			36			12
Earnings before income taxes		502			594			1,946			1,759
Income taxes		56			79			257			210
Net earnings	$	446		$	515		$	1,689		$	1,549
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.48		$	1.72		$	5.62		$	5.19
Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.47		$	1.71		$	5.56		$	5.15
Basic weighted average common shares		300,997,931			298,875,664			300,481,101			298,734,923
Diluted weighted average common shares		304,088,194			301,894,468			303,769,943			300,856,409

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Global Sales

(USD in millions)

	Three Months Ended									Foreign			Change in
	September 30,									Currency			Constant
	2010			2009			Change			Change			Currency
Geographic Sales
Alcon United States:
Pharmaceutical	$	386		$	324		19.1		%	--		%	19.1		%
Surgical		306			304		0.7			--			0.7
Consumer Eye Care		111			105		5.7			--			5.7
Total United States Sales		803			733		9.5			--			9.5
Alcon International:
Pharmaceutical		372			335		11.0			(1.5	)		12.5
Surgical		461			435		6.0			(0.2	)		6.2
Consumer Eye Care		124			111		11.7			--			11.7
Total International Sales		957			881		8.6			(0.7	)		9.3
Total Global Sales	$	1,760		$	1,614		9.0			(0.4	)		9.4
Global Product Sales
Infection/inflammation	$	241		$	199		21.1		%	(0.5	)	%	21.6		%
Glaucoma		316			286		10.5			(1.0	)		11.5
Allergy		92			97		(5.2	)		--			(5.2	)
Otic/nasal		137			106		29.2			(1.0	)		30.2
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates		(28	)		(29	)	N/M			N/M			N/M
Total Pharmaceutical		758			659		15.0			(0.8	)		15.8
Intraocular lenses		285			278		2.5			--			2.5
Cataract/vitreoretinal/other		454			436		4.1			(0.3	)		4.4
Refractive		28			25		12.0			--			12.0
Total Surgical		767			739		3.8			(0.1	)		3.9
Contact lens disinfectants		129			119		8.4			0.8			7.6
Artificial tears		86			73		17.8			(1.4	)		19.2
Other		20			24		(16.7	)		--			(16.7	)
Total Consumer Eye Care		235			216		8.8			--			8.8
Total Global Sales	$	1,760		$	1,614		9.0			(0.4	)		9.4

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)

	Nine Months Ended								Foreign		Change in
	September 30,								Currency		Constant
	2010			2009			Change		Change		Currency
Geographic Sales
Alcon United States:
Pharmaceutical	$	1,194		$	1,022		16.8	%	--	%	16.8		%
Surgical		903			858		5.2		--		5.2
Consumer Eye Care		322			301		7.0		--		7.0
Total United States Sales		2,419			2,181		10.9		--		10.9
Alcon International:
Pharmaceutical		1,129			976		15.7		2.8		12.9
Surgical		1,459			1,311		11.3		3.5		7.8
Consumer Eye Care		360			316		13.9		4.7		9.2
Total International Sales		2,948			2,603		13.3		3.4		9.9
Total Global Sales	$	5,367		$	4,784		12.2		1.9		10.3
Global Product Sales
Infection/inflammation	$	719		$	609		18.1	%	1.2	%	16.9		%
Glaucoma		941			793		18.7		1.5		17.2
Allergy		442			400		10.5		1.0		9.5
Otic/nasal		335			285		17.5		0.3		17.2
Other pharmaceuticals/rebates		(114	)		(89	)	N/M		N/M		N/M
Total Pharmaceutical		2,323			1,998		16.3		1.4		14.9
Intraocular lenses		889			815		9.1		2.4		6.7
Cataract/vitreoretinal/other		1,389			1,276		8.9		2.1		6.8
Refractive		84			78		7.7		1.3		6.4
Total Surgical		2,362			2,169		8.9		2.1		6.8
Contact lens disinfectants		367			341		7.6		2.0		5.6
Artificial tears		247			208		18.8		2.9		15.9
Other		68			68		--		2.9		(2.9	)
Total Consumer Eye Care		682			617		10.5		2.4		8.1
Total Global Sales	$	5,367		$	4,784		12.2		1.9		10.3

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)

	September 30,			December 31,
	2010			2009
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,196		$	3,007
Short term investments		767			479
Trade receivables, net		1,473			1,346
Inventories		692			626
Deferred income tax assets		175			162
Other current assets		301			213
Total current assets		5,604			5,833
Long term investments		273			73
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,345			1,304
Intangible assets, net		974			255
Goodwill		834			688
Long term deferred income tax assets		263			391
Other assets		164			142
Total assets	$	9,457		$	8,686
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	376		$	321
Short term borrowings		282			607
Current maturities of long term debt		60			--
Other current liabilities		1,020			1,047
Total current liabilities		1,738			1,975
Long term debt, net of current maturities		--			56
Long term deferred income tax liabilities		68			59
Other long term liabilities		924			691
Contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares		42			42
Additional paid-in capital		1,639			1,535
Accumulated other comprehensive income		143			203
Retained earnings		5,184			4,533
Treasury shares, at cost		(281	)		(408	)
Total shareholders' equity		6,727			5,905
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	9,457		$	8,686

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in millions)

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2010			2009
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net earnings	$	1,689		$	1,549
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided from
operating activities:
Depreciation		157			142
Amortization of intangibles		39			17
Share-based payments		61			58
Tax benefits from share-based compensation		7			2
Deferred income taxes		(16	)		41
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		(32	)		61
Unrealized appreciation on trading securities		(5	)		(73	)
Other, net		2			(3	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisition:
Trade receivables		(123	)		(123	)
Inventories		(58	)		(34	)
Other assets		(106	)		(22	)
Accounts payable		54			79
Other current liabilities		(26	)		59
Other long term liabilities		121			22
Net cash from operating activities		1,764			1,775
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(210	)		(226	)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(529	)		(149	)
Purchases of intangible assets		(137	)		(4	)
Purchases of investments		(1,978	)		(795	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments		1,502			917
Other, net		3			7
Net cash from investing activities		(1,349	)		(250	)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from (repayment of) short term debt		(348	)		(436	)
Repayment of long term debt		--			(1	)
Dividends on common shares		(1,037	)		(1,048	)
Acquisition of treasury shares		(29	)		(5	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		145			21
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		46			2
Net cash from financing activities		(1,223	)		(1,467	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(3	)		12
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(811	)		70
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		3,007			2,449
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	2,196		$	2,519

ALCON, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(in millions, except per share data)

	Operating Income
	Q3 2010	Q3 2009	Growth %	Q3 2010 % of Sales
As Reported	$     495	$     578	-14.4%	28.1%
Change-in-Control Expenses	133	--
As Adjusted	$     628	$     578	8.7	35.7
	Net Earnings
	Q3 2010	Q3 2009	Growth %
As Reported	$     446	$     515	-13.4%
Change-in-Control Expenses	113	--
As Adjusted	$     559	$     515	8.5

	Diluted EPS
	Q3 2010	Q3 2009	Growth %
As Reported	$     1.47	$     1.71	-14.0%
Change-in-Control Expenses	0.37	--
As Adjusted	$     1.84	$     1.71	7.6

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
	September 30,							Currency			Acquisition			Organic
	2010		2009		Change			Change			Change			Change
Sales by Product Line:
Pharmaceutical	$	758	$	659		15.0	%		-0.8	%		1.6	%		14.2	%
Surgical		767		739		3.8			-0.1			0.2			3.7
Consumer Eye Care		235		216		8.8			--			--			8.8
Total Global Sales	$	1,760	$	1,614		9.0			-0.4			0.7			8.7

Q3 2010 Sales	Change		Foreign Currency Change		Acquisition Change		Organic Change
International markets	8.6	%	-0.7	%	--	%	9.3
Emerging markets	20.2		1.0		--		19.2
BRIC nations	25.6		5.1		--		20.5
International pharmaceuticals	11.0		-1.5		--		12.5
Glaucoma pharmaceuticals	10.5		-1.0		--		11.5
Advanced technology intraocular lenses	13.5		-0.1		--		13.6
Artificial tears	17.8		-1.4		--		19.2

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.