Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Release: AcrySof(R) IQ IOL Designated As A New Technology Intraocular Lens

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2006--Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL - News) announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recognized the AcrySof® IQ intraocular lens (IOL) as belonging to the New Technology Intraocular Lens (NTIOL) classification of Reduced Spherical Aberration. This NTIOL designation is effective on May 19, 2006 and will increase the Medicare payment to ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) for cataract surgery by $50 when surgery is performed with an AcrySof IQ® IOL. This NTIOL subset and adjusted payment for the AcrySof® IQ IOL will remain in effect until February 27, 2011.