FORT WORTH, Texas—Novartis’ (NYSE: NVS)  Alcon division posted net sales of $2.6 billion for first quarter ending March 31, 2015, a 5 percent increase in constant currency over year ago.

Commenting on the results, Jeff George, global head of Alcon, said the growth was driven by “good performance in both our pharmaceutical and surgical franchises,” as well as new products, increasing penetration in emerging markets and new treatments in glaucoma, retina and new IOLs.

Alcon reported that its surgical franchise grew by 6 percent in constant currency, benefitting from strong sales of Alcon’s Centurion phacoemulsification cataract platform and disposables, as well as continued growth in LenSx femtosecond cataract procedures. Sales of intraocular lenses were flat, the company said.

Ophthalmic pharmaceuticals sales rose 6 percent in constant currency, driven by double-digit growth of Systane and fixed-dose glaucoma combination products, according to Alcon. Vision care performance rose 3 percent in constant currency, driven by Dailies Total, Dailies AquaComfort Plus and AirOptix Colors, though partially offset by a decline in contact lens care solutions. Emerging growth markets delivered 15 percent growth in constant currencies.

Operating income amounted to $353 million, up 25 percent in constant currency, driven by operating performance. Core operating income increased to $894 million, up 10 in constant currency, driven by higher sales and strong operating leverage as a result of productivity initiatives, Alcon said. Core operating income margin in constant currencies increased by 1.5 percentage points mainly from productivity initiatives, including the prioritization of development projects; currency had a negative impact of 1.6 percentage points, resulting in a net decrease of 0.1 percentage points to 34.9 percent of net sales.