CIBA VISION is a global leader in the research, development and manufacturing of contact lenses and lens care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we provide solutions that fit the lifestyles, preferences and needs of people in more than 70 countries around the world. From fun to essential, disposable to permanent, new eye colors to new eye treatments - CIBA VISION offers alternatives to your vision needs.
CIBA VISION is committed to innovation - exploring new materials and devices that continue to yield eye care breakthroughs. Our research & development (R&D) efforts have produced lenses such as O2OPTIX™, high-oxygen, breathable lenses for healthy eyes; NIGHT & DAY®, high-oxygen extended wear lenses that can be worn for up to 30 continuous nights; and Focus® DAILIES®, daily disposable contact lenses.
Additionally, we are the leading international provider of cosmetic contact lenses to change and enhance eye color. CIBA VISION FreshLook® lenses enable you to change, enhance or illuminate your eyes. CIBA VISION offers the widest variety of colors, modalities and cosmetic contact lens styles - more than 85 combinations in all - of any contact lens manufacturer.
In lens care, CIBA VISION has pioneered many products, such as Aquify® 5 Minutes Multi-Purpose Solution and Clear Care® (also marketed as SOLO-care Aqua™ and AOSept Plus™ respectively outside the U.S.).
CIBA VISION is a global leader in the research, development and manufacturing of contact lenses and lens care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we provide solutions that fit the lifestyles, preferences and needs of people in more than 70 countries around the world. From fun to essential, disposable to permanent, new eye colors to new eye treatments - CIBA VISION offers alternatives to your vision needs.
CIBA VISION is committed to innovation - exploring new materials and devices that continue to yield eye care breakthroughs. Our research & development (R&D) efforts have produced lenses such as O2OPTIX™, high-oxygen, breathable lenses for healthy eyes; NIGHT & DAY®, high-oxygen extended wear lenses that can be worn for up to 30 continuous nights; and Focus® DAILIES®, daily disposable contact lenses.
Additionally, we are the leading international provider of cosmetic contact lenses to change and enhance eye color. CIBA VISION FreshLook® lenses enable you to change, enhance or illuminate your eyes. CIBA VISION offers the widest variety of colors, modalities and cosmetic contact lens styles - more than 85 combinations in all - of any contact lens manufacturer.
In lens care, CIBA VISION has pioneered many products, such as Aquify® 5 Minutes Multi-Purpose Solution and Clear Care® (also marketed as SOLO-care Aqua™ and AOSept Plus™ respectively outside the U.S.).
Parent Company
As the eye care unit of Novartis AG, CIBA VISION benefits from the strengths and resources of one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. Novartis is a world leader in healthcare, with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, pediatrics, eye care and animal health.
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis companies employ approximately 80,000 people and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. In 2005, the Group's businesses achieved collective sales of approximately USD 32.2 billion and a net income of approximately USD 6.1 billion. Together, CIBA VISION and Novartis share a vision of developing new products that bring new hope and improve the lives of people around the globe.
Worldwide Location
With CIBA VISION locations in more than 30 countries, and partnerships with local distributors, CIBA VISION's products and services are available in more than 70 countries around the world.
Milestones
CIBA VISION was established in 1980 as a diversification effort of Ciba-Geigy's USA Pharmaceutical Division. In 1996, Ciba-Geigy merged with Sandoz to form Novartis, the world's leading life sciences company, and CIBA VISION became the eye care unit of Novartis.
In 1980, CIBA VISION entered the soft contact lens market. Through innovation, strategic acquisition and an ability to quickly meet market developments and emerging technologies, CIBA VISION has grown from a start-up to a company with more than $1 billion in sales.
CIBA VISION's rapid growth has been achieved through understanding the needs of our customers - practitioners, consumers, and trade partners - and delivering innovative, superior solutions. Our success is driven by a talented, progressive team of more than 6,000 associates who see challenges and opportunities in new and different ways.
Here are many of the milestones of success we have achieved along the way.
In 2004
Introduced O2OPTIXTM - a high-oxygen, breathable daily wear contact lens that provides whiter, healthy-looking eyes.
Introduced AQuify® 5-Minute Multi-Purpose Solution that cleans, disinfects, moisturizes and stores all kinds of soft contact lenses including silicone hydrogels.
Introduced SOLO-care AQUA® - a one-bottle lens care solution that locks in moisture and prevents lens dehydration giving you comfortable, moist lenses all day long, even in the toughest environments.
Completed the sale of our Surgical Business.
In 2003
CIBA VISION improves customer focus by expanding our North America sales force.
AOSEPT® Clear CareTM becomes the first one-bottle peroxide lens care solution cleared for use with rigid gas permeable lenses in the United States.
NIGHT & DAY® lenses receive FDA approval and clearance from Health Canada for therapeutic use and become available in plano.
AOSEPT® Clear CareTM becomes the fastest growing lens care solution in the United States.
CIBA VISION launches www.mycibavision.com - a convenient e-commerce solution for U.S. and Canadian eye care professionals.
CIBA VISION launches FreshLook DimensionsTM, the next generation of color contact lenses designed to beautifully enhance light eyes. CIBA VISION also launches two new FreshLook ColorBlends lenses - True Sapphire and Pure Hazel - that provide a more intense eye color change than other FreshLook Color Blends colors.
AOSEPT® Clear CareTM is approved by Health Canada for seven-day storage of contact lenses.
AOSEPT® Clear CareTM and SOLO-Care® Plus are cleared by the FDA to add a specific indication for use with silicone hydrogel lenses.
AQuifyTM long-lasting comfort drops are introduced.
In 2002
CIBA VISION and Johns Hopkins begin post-market study with more than 5,000 wearers of NIGHT & Day® lenses.
Improved no-rub solution, SOLO-Care Plus® (containing Aqualube for enhanced comfort) is introduced.
Focus® DAILIES® Toric, the world's first daily disposable lens for astigmatism, launches first in Switzerland, then expands to include other countries throughout Europe as well as the United States and Canada.
NIGHT & DAY® lenses receive a CE mark in Europe for therapeutic use.
Results of a multi-center study show that four out of five patients prefer AOSEPT® Clear CareTM.
AOSEPT® Clear CareTM launches in Canada.
Glen Bradley, CEO of CIBA VISION announces plans to retire and Joe Mallof is named as his successor.
CIBA VISION launches FreshLook RadianceTM, lenses that illuminate both light and dark eyes without changing the natural color.
A new manufacturing process is introduced to make FreshLook® color contact lenses more comfortable than ever.
In 2001
Ophthalmics pharmaceutical is transitioned from CIBA VISION to become Novartis Ophthalmics, a separate eye health unit operating under the Pharmaceutical Division of parent company Novartis AG.
Integration of CIBA VISION and Wesley Jessen sales teams completed - the combined CIBA VISION sales force becomes the largest in the industry.
SOLO-care® PLUS, a one-bottle, no rub, no rinse lens care solution, receives a CE mark.
The launch of Focus® DAILIES® Progressives, the world's first daily disposable contact lens for presbyopia - providing a vision correction alternative to bifocal spectacles and reading glasses - is expanded, with a June launch for the U.S. and Canada.
Solo-care® Plus launches in Europe.
AOSEPT® Clear CareTM, the first one-bottle, no-rub lens care solution with no added preservatives launched in the U.S.
The FDA Advisory Panel recommends the approval of NIGHT & Day® for up to 30 nights continuous wear.
CIBA VISION acquires an exclusive license from the UltraVision Corporation to market and distribute the Choice A.B.TM aberration-blocking soft contact lenses.
CIBA VISION's Focus® DAILIES® Lens - the number one daily disposable lens in U.S. - is dispensed with new fits and lenses.
U.S. FDA approves NIGHT & DAY® contact lenses for extended wear of up to thirty nights of continuous wear.
CIBA VISION completes integration of Wesley Jessen Systems.
NIGHT & DAY® lenses lead silicone hydrogel lens market in Europe; category up about 100 percent.
In 2000
CIBA VISION gains FDA approval in the U.S. and Therapeutic Products Programme of Health Canada approval to market VisudyneTM Therapy for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50 in the western world. Visudyne has subsequently been approved in Argentina, Brazil and Malta.
AOSept Plus, a preservative-free, no-rub, no-rinse lens care system is launched in Europe, offering the power of peroxide in a convenient one-bottle solution.
An agreement is announced for CIBA VISION to acquire Wesley Jessen, a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of specialty contact lenses.
In 1999
CIBA VISION obtains CE mark approval to market NIGHT & Day® in Europe, for up to 30-nights continuous wear.
Launch Focus® Progressives, easy to fit, soft contact lenses for bifocal wearers.
SOLO-CareTM becomes the first one-bottle multi-purpose cleaning and disinfecting solution to receive FDA clearance for the 10-minute indication for both soft contact lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses.
Market approval received in Switzerland, the first country to offer VisudyneTM Therapy, to treat of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
In 1998
Mexico launch of NIGHT & Day®, which contains a breakthrough, high-oxygen soft contact lens material, called lotrafilcon, allowing sufficient oxygen to reach the eyes, even during sleep, with up to six times more oxygen than an ordinary soft contact lens.
In 1997
Introduce AOSept®, with the AODisc® neutralizer built into the lens case for increased patient convenience and compliance.
In 1996
Announce merger plans of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz to form Novartis.
Formal merger of Novartis approved. CIBA VISION becomes the eye care unit of this world leader in life sciences.
Launch Focus® DAILIES® one-day disposable contact lenses, establishing an entirely new level of performance and affordability for the daily disposable contact lens category.
In 1994
Launch a revolutionary five-minute lens care system in the U.S. under the brand name QuickCARETM.
In 1993
Acquire Laboratories Faure in France, and launch SOLO-CareTM, a one-bottle cleaning and disinfecting solution, in Europe.
In 1991
Launch Illusions® (tefilcon) eye-color-changing soft contact lenses for dark eyes.
Relocate US corporate headquarters, optics, research and development, and administration 35 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, in the suburb of Duluth.
In 1990
Introduce first soft contact lens exclusively for programmed replacement: Focus® (vifilcon A) Monthly Replacement Lenses. Expanding into ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.
In 1988
Acquire the CooperVision range of lens care products outside the United States.
In 1985
Acquire American Optical Company's contact lens and lens care product lines, including the AOSEPT® Disinfection/Neutralization System.
In 1984
Become one of the first major manufacturers to market a soft contact lens that enhances eye color: Softcolors® (tefilcon).
In 1983
Introduce BiSoft®, the first FDA approved soft bifocal contact lens. Enter the European contact lens market with the acquisition of the Titmus Eurocon contact lens business.
In 1981
First to market with a visibility tinted soft contact lens.
Research & Development
CIBA VISION's mission is "Better Eyes for a Better Life." To achieve this goal we are constantly examining new materials, therapeutic agents and delivery systems to yield the next eye care breakthroughs.
Our researchers are backed by significant global Research and Development (R&D) resources from both CIBA VISION and Novartis. In 2004, we invested approximately USD 4.2 billion in R&D. Together, we explore and develop innovative approaches to address a variety of vision care needs, eye diseases and conditions.
Contact Lenses
O2OPTIX™ - revolutionary contact lenses that allow up to five times more oxygen to reach your eyes than traditional soft contact lenses, for whiter, healthy-looking eyes.
Focus® DAILIES® – one-day disposable lenses, preferred three-to-one over other daily disposable lenses among patients participating in multinational clinical trials
NIGHT & DAY® – the first contact silicone hydrogel contact lenses for continuous wear for up to 30 nights and days
FreshLook® ColorBlends® - the first lens with 3-in-1 technology, blending three colors into one to create the subtle, natural depth of beautiful eyes.
Focus® Progressives – innovative lenses for presbyopic correction delivering excellent near vision without compromising intermediate and distance acuity
Focus® Toric Monthly Lenses – the first monthly replacement toric soft contact lens on the market for astigmatism
FreshLook Radiance™ –the first cosmetic contact lenses available that add beautiful pearlescent effects to both light and dark eyes to give sparkle and shine to your natural eye color.
Lens Care Products
Clear Care® – The first lens care solution to provide the power of peroxide in a convenient, one-bottle, no-rub solution – without the added preservatives found in most multi-purpose solutions (MPS). Sensitivities to MPS preservatives can cause lens discomfort. Formulated without MPS preservatives, Clear Care may increase the length of time you can wear your contact lenses comfortably
AQuify® Long Lasting Comfort Drops – the first lens drops with sodium hyaluronate to help provide long-lasting comfort.
AQuify® Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS) – the first 5-minute multi-purpose solution cleared for use with silicone hydrogel lenses.
Company Culture
We are part of the global community and we do everything we can to operate in a manner of efficiency - economic, social and environmental. We live by our values as we strive to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves.
Our Values:
Consumers and customers are our lifeblood.
We treat our company as our own - entrepreneurial spirit drives our success.
We thrive on innovation.
We help each other succeed.
We focus on action, initiative, speed and simplicity.
Our diverse cultural mix gives us a competitive edge.
Faced with ethical issues, we do the right thing.
The business values and behaviors required for success are based on competence, action, speed and flexibility - doing whatever it takes to get the job done quickly and efficiently, while still building quality for the future.
The personal values and behaviors required for success at CIBA VISION encourage and reward entrepreneurial team players - people who convey mutual respect, trust and candor at all times, work hard and show a willingness to learn, take informed risks and have some fun along the way.
CIBA VISION focuses on the safety of our employees, judicious use of our resources and the well being of our communities. We set strict standards for ourselves in the company's compliance with health, safety and environmental laws. We encourage the use of renewable resources, strive to minimize waste and work to preserve the integrity of our environment. Our commitment to the health, safety and improvement of our communities is intrinsic to our corporate identity.
