GENEVA, Switzerland—Alcon (SIX/NYSE:ALC), a global leader in eyecare, reported first quarter 2023 sales of $2.3 billion for the period ending March 31, 2023, an increase of 7 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The company also reported a 3.6 percent increase in first-quarter net income to $174 million from a year ago. David J. Endicott, Alcon's chief executive officer, said, "Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our more than 25,000 associates, 2023 is off to a strong start.

"These outstanding results are a testament to the durability of the eyecare markets, competitive strength of our business and expertise of our team. As we look to the remainder of the year, we will continue to focus our efforts on value creation through accelerating innovation and driving above-market sales growth," he said.

For the first quarter of 2023, Vision Care net sales, which include contact lenses and ocular health, were $1.0 billion, an increase of 12 percent on a reported basis and 16 percent on a constant currency basis, versus the first quarter of 2022. Reported sales growth includes approximately 5 percentage points of contribution from products acquired in 2022.

Double-digit Vision Care segment growth reflected strength in contact lenses and eye drops, including acquired products. “We’re seeing the benefit of our product portfolio in our Vision Care segment,” Endicott said on a conference call.

Contact lenses net sales of $615 million, an increase of 10 percent, reflected continued growth in silicone hydrogel contact lenses, including the Precision1 and Total product families, and price increases. Growth was partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 4 percent. Contact lenses net sales increased 14 percent constant currency.

Ocular health net sales for Q1 were $414 million, an increase of 15 percent, primarily driven by the portfolio of eye drops, including acquired ophthalmic pharmaceutical products, and price increases. This growth was partially offset by unfavorable currency impacts of 4 percent. Ocular health net sales increased 19 percent in constant currencies.

For the first quarter of 2023, Surgical net sales, which include implantables, consumables and equipment/other, were $1.3 billion, an increase of 4 percent on a reported basis and 8 percent on a constant currency basis versus the first quarter of 2022.

Implantables net sales were $427 million, a decrease of 6 percent. Presbyopia correcting intraocular lens (PCIOLs) sales in South Korea decreased approximately $47 million due to an insurance reimbursement change that took effect April 1, 2022. This decline was partially offset by an increase in intraocular lens sales across other geographies. There were unfavorable currency impacts of 3 percent. Implantables net sales decreased 3 percent constant currency.

Consumables net sales were $656 million, an increase of 9 percent. Equipment/other net sales were $221 million, also an increase of 9 percent for the quarter.

Alcon slightly raised its full-year outlook for net sales, expecting year-on-year growth in constant currency of between 7 percent and 9 percent, compared to its previous forecast of between 6 percent and 8 percent.