LARGO, Fla.--Unilens Vision Inc. (OTC BB: UVICF) (TSX Venture Exchange: UVI) and CIBA Vision, the eye care unit of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) announced that Unilens Corp., USA (CVE: Unilens), the wholly owned subsidiary of Unilens Vision Inc., has acquired the Aquaflex and Softcon EW soft contact lens product lines from CIBA Vision.

"We are excited about teaming up with CIBA Vision, a global leader in contact lens technology, on the acquisition of the Aquaflex and Softcon product lines," stated A.W. Vitale, chief executive officer of Unilens Vision. "The acquired product lines currently generate approximately $1 million in annual revenues, and we will aggressively market the lenses through our Lombart lens division. This acquisition, along with last year's acquisition of the LifeStyle brand, and the recent launch of the C-Vue55 Toric Multifocal, illustrate Unilens' commitment to expand its market share among eyecare professionals throughout the U.S."

Erich Bauman, OD, vice president of CIBA Vision's Global Specialty Lens Business, said, "with one of the widest ranges of specialty and conventional lenses in the industry, CIBA Vision is committed to ensuring an extensive range of options remains available for unique patient needs. We are pleased that a reputable manufacturer such as Unilens will continue to offer Aquaflex and Softcon EW and are confident they will continue to maintain the same high level of quality and performance ECPs have come to expect from these lenses."

The products consist of an extended wear conventional spherical lens (Softcon EW) and a daily wear conventional lens (Aquaflex) that will be marketed and distributed by the Lombart lens division of Unilens Corp., USA under the existing product brand names.

Unilens will acquire from CIBA Vision all inventory, trademarks and various other assets for the Aquaflex and Softcon product lines. Unilens will pay CIBA Vision a royalty on all future non-inventory sales of the acquired product lines over the next five years.

Established in 1989, Unilens Vision, through its wholly owned subsidiary Unilens Corp., USA, located in Largo, Florida, develops, licenses, manufactures, distributes and markets specialty contact lenses under the C- Vue(TM), Unilens, Sof-Form, Lombart, and LifeStyle brands. Additional information on the company may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.unilens.com. The company's common stock is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "UVICF" as well as the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "UVI."