HUENENBERG, Switzerland— Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) reported global sales of $1,536.4 million for the first quarter of 2008, an increase of 16.2 percent compared to the first quarter of 2007, or 9.4 percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations.

Net earnings for the first quarter of 2008 increased 24 percent to $429.4 million, compared to $346.2 million for the first quarter of 2007.

"Our strong results for the first quarter came from continuing market share gains for our major pharmaceutical brands, our strong performance in Japan with several new pharmaceutical products, rapid growth in sales of our advanced technology intraocular lenses, and the continuing contributions of our international operations, especially those in emerging markets," said Cary Rayment, Alcon's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Operating income increased 24.1 percent to $500.1 million, or 32.6 percent of sales, a 2.1 percentage point improvement over the reported results for the first quarter of 2007. This increase in operating income reflected higher sales volume in 2008 and charges of $32.7 million related to the impairment of the company's refractive assets in 2007. In addition operating expenses, which included the WaveLight integration and shared service center costs, grew at a slower rate than sales, according to Alcon.

International sales rose 25.6 percent to $864.4 million in comparison to the first quarter of 2007, or 12.6 percent excluding exchange, with emerging markets sales increasing 28.6 percent, or 17.6 percent excluding exchange. Sales in the U.S. increased 5.9 percent to $672 million. Pharmaceutical sales grew 13.3 percent, or 7.8 percent on a constant currency basis, to $628.4 million.

Surgical sales rose 20.2 percent or 12 percent on a constant currency basis, to $697.9 million. Sales of intraocular lenses increased 23.6 percent to $260.9 million, primarily driven by the global increase in sales of the AcrySof IQ aspheric intraocular lens and a 71.6 percent increase in sales of the company's advanced technology intraocular  lenses, AcrySof ReSTOR Aspheric and AcrySof Toric, according to the company.

Consumer eyecare sales increased 12.1 percent, or 6.2 percent on a constant currency basis, to $210.1 million. Sales of contact lens disinfectants grew 12.2 percent.