:TOP STORY
CIBA Vision, the eyecare unit of Novartis (NYSE: NVS), announced a realignment of management responsibilities for the Americas, effective Oct. 29, according to Vision Monday. Francesco Balestrieri becomes president of CIBA’s North America region. Balestrieri, a 14-year CIBA Vision veteran, was previously general manager for the company’s markets in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He takes over responsibilities in North America for Henna Inam, who has been president of CIBA’s Americas region. Inam is now taking on the global role of chief marketing and innovation officer for CIBA Vision. Responsibilities for Central and South America go to Tariq Aziz, who becomes president of Latin America for CIBA Vision on Oct. 29. Aziz, who will be based in Mexico City, was previously president of business development for CIBA Vision at its corporate headquarters in Atlanta. The Latin America operations will now be combined with CIBA’s emerging markets group, according to Andrea Saia, CIBA Vision’s chief operating officer.

:FINANCIAL NOTES
Alcon (NYSE: ACL) reported global sales of $1.3 billion for the third quarter of 2007, an increase of 11 percent over global sales for the third quarter of 2006, or 7.9 percent on a constant currency basis. Net earnings for the third quarter of 2007 increased 78.9 percent to $415 million, or $1.38 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $232.1 million, or $0.76 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2006. Net earnings in the third quarter of 2007 included charges for a workforce reduction in the company's refractive laser business associated with the planned acquisition and integration of WaveLight AG.

Advanced Medical Optics (NYSE: EYE) third-quarter 2007 net sales rose 5.6 percent to $273.2 million. The sales increases related to the IntraLase Corp. and WaveFront Sciences, Inc. acquisitions and organic growth were partially offset by lost sales related to the May 2007 contact lens care solutions recall. AMO reported a third-quarter net loss under GAAP of $25.9 million, or a loss of ($0.43) per share, which included the impact of the recall. In the same period last year, AMO reported GAAP net income of $87.2 million, or $1.42 per diluted share.

AmSurg (NASDAQ: AMSG) revenues for the quarter increased 16 percent to $132 million from $113 million for the third quarter of 2006. Net earnings from continuing operations rose 16 percent to $10.9 million from $9.3 million. Net earnings from continuing operations per diluted share for the third quarter of 2007 were $0.35, a 13 percent increase from $0.31 for the third quarter of 2006.

QLT (NASDAQ: QLTI) revenues were $28.7 million in the third quarter, down $9.6 million or 25.1 percent from the same period last year. Revenues from Visudyne were $14.6 million in the quarter, down 43.3 percent from the third quarter last year. QLT's share of profit from Visudyne sales decreased to 18.8 percent compared to 24.8 percent in the same period last year. Earnings per share was $0.00 in the third quarter, compared to a loss per share of ($0.04) in the prior-year quarter.

:CONFERENCE CALLS
Allergan (NYSE: AGN) will discuss third quarter 2007 results at 8 a.m. PT Nov. 6. Access is at www.allergan.com or 1-866-455-0570.

InSite Vision (AMEX: ISV) will release 2007 third quarter results after market close Nov. 7, followed by a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET. Access is at 877-407-0778 or www.insitevision.com.

Inspire Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ISPH) will report third quarter 2007 financial results before the market opens Nov 7, followed by a conference call and live webcast at 10 a.m. ET. Access is at 877-648-7970 and www.inspirepharm.com.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ISTA) will release third quarter 2007 financial results Nov. 1 with a conference call and webcast at 10:30 a.m. ET. Access is at 800-638-5495 or www.istavision.com.

LCA-Vision (NASDAQ: LCAV) will release third quarter 2007 financial results prior to market opening on Oct. 30. A conference call and webcast will follow at 10 a.m. Access is at 866-322-1352 and www.lca-vision.com.

Luxottica Group S.p.A. (NYSE: LUX) third quarter of 2007 results investor conference call will be available via webcast at noon ET Oct. 30. Access is at
www.luxottica.com/english/investor_relations/webcast.html.

Novamed (NASDAQ: NOVA) will release third quarter financial results Oct. 31, with an 11 a.m. ET webcast. Access is at www.novamed.com.

STAAR Surgical (NASDAQ: STAA) will release financial results for the third quarter on Oct. 30 after market close. A conference call follows at 5 p.m. ET. Access is at 800-257-2182 and www.staar.com.

TLC Vision (NASDAQ: TLCV) will release its third quarter 2007 financial results before the market opens on Nov. 5, followed by a 10 a.m. ET conference call. Access is at 888-575-8232 www.tlcv.com. Also, TLC will present at two upcoming conferences in November: at 9:10 a.m. ET Nov. 7 at the CIBC 18th Annual Healthcare Conference in New York City; and, at 11 a.m. ET Nov. 13 at the JMP Healthcare Focus Conference in Boston. Access to both is at www.tlcv.com.