Advanced Medical Optics and Nicholas Piramal India Sign Agreement for Supply of Products.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SANTA ANA, Calif. & MUMBAI, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2003

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO) (NYSE:AVO), a global leader in ophthalmic surgical devices and eye care products, and Nicholas Piramal India Limited (NPIL), India's second-largest pharmaceutical and healthcare company, announced today they have entered into an agreement for the supply of selected components for AMO's eye care products.

NPIL will become a supplier to AMO for neutralizing tablets and unit dose form fill and seal solution products that will be distributed through various AMO manufacturing and distribution centers around the world. These products will be manufactured in NPIL's state-of-the-art formulations facility at Pithampur, with exports anticipated to begin in early 2005. The contract is for five years with the option for renewal.

"This agreement marks another step in the execution of our global manufacturing strategy and will help ensure we provide continued and seamless delivery of our eye care products to customers," said James V. Mazzo, AMO president and CEO. "We are also very pleased to be working with Nicholas Piramal, a leading pharmaceutical and healthcare company in India."

"NPIL has declared its strategic intent of partnering with leading healthcare and pharmaceutical companies for their global supplies. This contract is a validation of NPIL's intent and is a stepping stone in achieving our mission of becoming a global partner of choice," said Ajay Piramal, Chairman of NPIL.

About Advanced Medical Optics

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. is a global leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of ophthalmic surgical and eye care products. The Company focuses on developing a broad suite of innovative technologies and devices to address a wide range of eye disorders.

Products in the ophthalmic surgical line include foldable intraocular lenses, phacoemulsification systems, viscoelastics and related products used in cataract surgery, and microkeratomes used in LASIK procedures for refractive error correction. AMO owns or has the rights to such well-known ophthalmic surgical product brands as Phacoflex(R), Clariflex(R), Array(R) and Sensar(R) foldable intraocular lenses, the Sovereign(R) and Sovereign(R) Compact phacoemulsification systems, both available with WhiteStar(TM) technology, and the Amadeus(TM) microkeratome. Products in the eye care line include contact lens disinfecting solutions, daily cleaners, enzymatic cleaners and lens rewetting drops. Among the well-known contact lens care product brands the Company possesses are COMPLETE(R) Moisture PLUS(TM), COMPLETE(R) Blink-N-Clean(R), Consept(R)F, Consept(R) 1 Step, Oxysept(R) 1 Step, UltraCare(R), Ultrazyme(R), Total Care(R) and blink(TM) branded products. Amadeus is a licensed product of, and a trademark of, SIS, Ltd.

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. is based in Santa Ana, California, and employs approximately 2,000 worldwide. The Company has operations in about 20 countries and markets products in approximately 60 countries. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.amo-inc.com.

About Nicholas Piramal

Nicholas Piramal India Limited (NPIL) is India's second largest pharmaceutical and healthcare company. NPIL is a leader in the branded formulations market and has been in the pharmaceutical business for over 15 years. NPIL's core strengths are its distinctive sales and marketing, with about a 2,200-strong field sales force, its successful brand building, and state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. NPIL's Hyderabad facility in India has approvals from United States' Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA, Australia) and holds a European Certificate of Suitability. NPIL also has major investments in research and development efforts which focus on formulations development, Custom Chemical Synthesis, new chemical entity research, and clinical research.

You may obtain more information about NPIL from their website at www.nicholaspiramal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about AMO, NPIL, and their businesses, such as Mr. Mazzo's and Mr. Piramal's statements. Any statements in this press release that refer to AMO's anticipated distribution of the product, and AMO's estimated or anticipated future results are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release reflect AMO's current analysis of existing trends and information and represent AMO's judgment only as of the date of this press release. Actual results may differ from current expectations based on a number of factors affecting AMO's or NPIL's businesses, including but not limited to unpredictable competitive, regulatory and market conditions; and NPIL's ability to supply products and scale up in a timely fashion. In addition, matters generally affecting the domestic and global economy, such as changes in interest and currency exchange rates, can affect AMO's results. Therefore, the reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. AMO disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Additional information concerning these and other risk factors may be found in previous financial press releases issued by AMO. AMO's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under the heading "Certain Factors and Trends Affecting AMO and its Businesses" in AMO's 2002 Form 10-K and in AMO's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2003, also include information concerning these and other risk factors.

Copies of press releases and additional information about AMO are available on the World Wide Web at www.amo-inc.com, or you can contact the AMO Investor Relations Department by calling [phone].