Q: How would you describe the company’s mission and presence around the world?
A: Alcon is a fully innovative medical device company and the global leader in eye health. We have a presence in nearly every country around the world, bringing visual health and quality of life to all patients in need. Alcon always places people, and particularly patients, at the center of every decision. We are a responsible and ethical organization fully committed to helping people see better, which is our global purpose and guiding principle.
Q: What are Mexico’s most pressing eye health challenges, and how is the company working to address them through its surgical and vision care portfolio?
A: Mexico still faces significant barriers to access and limited healthcare coverage. As a matter of public policy, this should be one of the main priorities.
Alcon has the largest portfolio of eye care products, and our goal is to reach an increasing number of patients who need them. At the same time, we aim to do so with the highest quality standards. Another key challenge is elevating the level of ophthalmology in Mexico, ensuring that ophthalmologists work with the most innovative and advanced technologies available. This mission keeps us continuously engaged and committed to the Mexican market.
Q: How is Alcon integrating digital tools or data-driven insights to support ophthalmologists and improve patient experiences in Mexico?
A: Mexican ophthalmologists are open to innovation; however, the penetration of high-technology devices remains relatively low compared with other countries, even within Latin America.
Cataract surgery is Alcon’s main business, and we offer highly advanced products for vision correction. Adoption in the Mexican market is still limited, which is why we focus on supporting ophthalmologists through extensive training programs, practice centers, and medical information. We do everything within our reach to facilitate the adoption of new technologies, as ophthalmology evolves every year. It is a continuous race to stay current.
Q: How important is patient education when it comes to eye health?
A: Patient education is always necessary. While communication has become easier through modern media, misinformation has also grown. We all share the responsibility to ensure patients receive accurate and reliable information. Alcon typically reaches patients through healthcare professionals, especially in surgical areas that require greater complexity and regulatory oversight. Although patients are increasingly informed, there is still much work to be made.
Q: How do Mexico’s demographic shifts influence Alcon’s strategy and portfolio development in the country?
A: As the population ages, demand for cataract surgeries continues to grow, while the system’s capacity to address all cases remains limited. This results in an increasing number of patients waiting for care.
Alcon is continuously developing new solutions. Once we receive regulatory approval, we will launch a new generation of machines that allow more surgeries to be performed in less time. We are now focusing not only on the quality of the surgery itself but also on optimizing the entire patient journey. This includes digital connectivity between devices and new services that enable physicians to treat patients faster and more efficiently. The new equipment, soon to be launched in Mexico, will allow both cataract and vitrectomy surgeries to be completed in shorter timeframes, increasing access to care.
Q: How does Alcon promote eye health awareness among its employees and the medical community?
A: We do not treat patients directly. Our role is to provide products and services to hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals in both the public and private sectors. Nevertheless, we are deeply committed to promoting eye health. We regularly organize internal initiatives to raise awareness among our employees and their families.
Last year, we inaugurated the Alcon Experience Center in Mexico — a state-of-the-art facility designed to showcase our technology and provide a hands-on learning environment for healthcare professionals, including ophthalmology residents, surgeons, nurses, and technicians. This facility enabled them to perform simulated and experimental procedures using our equipment. Only a few of these centers exist globally, and we are proud that Mexico is one of the countries hosting such advanced training facilities. The primary goal of this center is to enhance the training of ophthalmologists on our latest technologies.
Q: What challenges have you faced in introducing ophthalmology and visual health products to Mexico?
A: Mexico is facing significant regulatory delays. In recent years, Mexico has become one of the slowest countries in Latin America for introducing new medical devices.
Mexico is a large but also highly complex market. The population is concentrated in major cities, but there are also many dispersed communities in remote areas that are difficult to reach. This creates significant disparities in access to healthcare services. Some regions are well served, while others face serious limitations in medical care availability.
Q: What strengths have allowed Alcon to succeed in the Mexican market?
A: Our success lies in staying close to ophthalmologists, hospitals, and clients in general. Through direct collaboration, we gain a deep understanding of their real needs. Alcon is a global company that serves countries with different realities, from highly developed markets to large developing economies such as India. Our broad portfolio allows us to tailor solutions to each client’s specific requirements.
We offer cutting-edge technology, but we also provide portable equipment for outreach programs and campaigns that reach patients in remote areas. In every case, our goal is to deliver solutions that fit the needs of each healthcare provider and their patients.
Q: What are Alcon Mexico’s main priorities for the next few years in terms of business growth, local partnerships, and patient impact?
A: One of our main priorities, in Mexico and globally, is to continue integrating digital services into our portfolio. A few years ago, our focus was primarily on developing the best machines and implants; we now aim to offer comprehensive solutions. We are collaborating with hospitals and clinics to significantly optimize the way ophthalmology is practiced, building data together to achieve better outcomes. We are at the beginning of this journey, and the progress so far is highly promising.
Alcon is a global leader in eye care, providing surgical and vision care technologies that improve sight and support eye health through continuous innovation and collaboration with healthcare professionals.