New Orleans, October 5, 2015 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, announces its plans for the 2015 World Sight Day activities to take place at Academy 2015 New Orleans during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry, October 7-10, 2015 in New Orleans. The Alcon Foundation is partnering with the American Optometric Foundation (AOF), an affiliate of the Academy, to co-host the Cycle for Sight 20/20 Challenge.

“Fulfilling our mission of helping people see better through advanced vision care, pharmaceutical and surgical products is a task Alcon associates tackle daily,” said Dr. Rick Weisbarth, Vice President of Professional Affairs, US Vision Care, Alcon, and Alcon Foundation Board Member. “On World Sight Day, we’re focused not only on raising awareness of the global problem of preventable blindness and vision impairment, but also on helping to address those issues by donating funds to support optometric education and research, which can lead to improved patient care and new and innovative treatments.”

“Developing and encouraging post-graduate students who research and pursue cutting-edge vision science to advance clinical practice is an investment in the future of optometry and eye health,” said Dr. David Kirschen, President, American Optometric Foundation (AOF). “Between the Cycle for Sight 20/20 Challenge and the matching funds donations, the Alcon Foundation is again demonstrating their strong commitment to research and education. Their generous support of vision scientists and clinicians has, and will continue to have, far-reaching impact on the optometric profession and patient care.”

The Alcon Foundation will make a $25,000 donation to the AOF, to be used to fund optometric education and research, when Academy attendees participating in stationary biking reach 2,020 minutes of cumulative bicycle riding. An additional donation of up to $25,000 in matching funds will also be made for any donations made directly by attendees to AOF during the 2015 Academy Meeting in New Orleans.

About the American Optometric Foundation

The American Optometric Foundation was founded in 1947 for the “upholding, broadening, fostering, promoting and aiding of optometric education, the profession of optometry and its practitioners.” Based in Orlando, FL, AOF is a philanthropic organization devoted to the advancement of optometric education and research for improved patient care. The AOF fulfills its mission through the generous support of many donors, supporters and corporate sponsors. In 2014, the AOF provided grants, fellowships and scholarships totaling more than $400,000. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org/AOF.

About the Alcon Foundation

For over 50 years, the Alcon Foundation has been focused on partnering with non-profit organizations that make a difference in advancing eye health, knowledge transfer, research and education, as well as enhancing access to quality eye care around the world. The Foundation awards grants to qualified, U.S.-based tax-exempt public 501(c)(3) charities that provide high-quality programs, trainings and community services with well-defined goals to enhance sight and enhance the lives of people who otherwise would not have access to proper eye care. For more information, visit http://www.alcon.com/corporate-responsibility/eye-care-for-everyone.aspx.