Alcon Announces Acquisition of PowerVision, Inc. - Seite 2

"We're thrilled to officially join Alcon and its pioneering history of launching new innovation in the field of ophthalmology," said Barry Cheskin, President and CEO and Co-Founder of PowerVision. "We look forward to bringing this innovative IOL technology to eye care providers and customers in the years ahead."

While basic, monofocal IOLs are most commonly used for cataract surgery, AT-IOLs, including those that correct presbyopia, are improving patient outcomes and fulfilling desire among patients for spectacle independence. Alcon leads the industry in global IOL share and estimates double-digit growth in AT-IOLs, largely driven by new innovations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon paid USD 285 million to PowerVision at closing with additional payments based on specified regulatory and commercial milestones starting in 2023.  Alcon is maintaining its 2023 financial outlook provided at the Capital Markets Days in the fourth quarter of 2018.

About Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that affects vision. As a cataract develops, the eye's lens gradually becomes hard and cloudy which scatters light rays and allows less light to pass through, which makes it more difficult to see. The vast majority of cataracts happen as a result of normal aging but radiation exposure, taking steroids, diabetes, and eye trauma can accelerate the development of cataracts. Additionally, cataracts can be hereditary and congenital and can present shortly after birth. Cataracts are the most common age-related eye condition and the leading cause of preventable blindness in adults 55 and older in the US. Twenty million people age 40 and older have cataracts in the US alone. Cataracts are treated by surgically removing the eye's cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL). More than 98 percent of cataract surgeries are considered successful and patients can usually return to their normal routines within 24 hours.

About Presbyopia
Presbyopia is an eye condition that occurs as part of natural aging. It involves the gradual loss of the eye's ability to actively focus on close objects, such as smart phones, computers, books and menus. The first signs of presbyopia are eyestrain, difficulty seeing up close in dim light and problems focusing on small objects and/or fine print. Once a person is in their 40s, it is likely they will experience presbyopia and will require vision correction such as reading glasses or multifocal contact lenses.