XML 127 R68.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Segment Information - Combined income statements (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Net sales to third parties | $ 6,763,000,000 | $ 7,362,000,000 | $ 7,149,000,000
Sales to former parent |  | 0 | 4,000,000
Other revenues | 70,000,000 | 146,000,000 | 0
Net sales and other revenues | 6,833,000,000 | 7,508,000,000 | 7,153,000,000
Segment contribution | 1,091,000,000 | 1,537,000,000 | 1,446,000,000
Amortization of intangible assets | (1,078,000,000) | (1,084,000,000) | (1,019,000,000)
Impairment charges on intangible assets | (167,000,000) | 0 | (378,000,000)
General & administration (corporate) | (232,000,000) | (216,000,000) | (206,000,000)
Separation costs | (217,000,000) | (237,000,000) | 0
Spin readiness costs | 0 | (72,000,000) | (32,000,000)
Transformation costs | (49,000,000) | (52,000,000) | 0
Payables contingent consideration | (63,000,000) | (75,000,000) | (62,000,000)
Past service costs for post-employment benefit plan amendments | 154,000,000 | (2,000,000) | (1,000,000)
Other | (47,000,000) | (136,000,000) | (120,000,000)
Operating (loss) | (482,000,000) | (187,000,000) | (248,000,000)
Interest expense | (124,000,000) | (113,000,000) | (24,000,000)
Other financial income & expense | (29,000,000) | (32,000,000) | (28,000,000)
(Loss) before taxes | (635,000,000) | (332,000,000) | (300,000,000)
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment | (293,000,000) | (267,000,000) | (239,000,000)
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | (79,000,000) | (66,000,000) | 0
Impairment charges on property, plant & equipment, net | (6,000,000) | (8,000,000) | (2,000,000)
Equity-based compensation | (113,000,000) | (114,000,000) | (93,000,000)
Contingent Consideration Asset (Liability), Fair Value Adjustment | 63,000,000 | 75,000,000 | 62,000,000
Unallocated amounts [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment | 0 | 0 | 0
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 0 | 0 | 0
Impairment charges on property, plant & equipment, net | 0 | 0 | 0
Equity-based compensation | (13,000,000) | (15,000,000) | (12,000,000)
Surgical [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Net sales to third parties | 3,710,000,000 | 4,174,000,000 | 3,999,000,000
Sales to former parent |  | 0 | 2,000,000
Other revenues | 0 | 0 | 0
Net sales and other revenues | 3,710,000,000 | 4,174,000,000 | 4,001,000,000
Segment contribution | 672,000,000 | 957,000,000 | 846,000,000
Impairment charges on intangible assets | (66,000,000) | 0 | (378,000,000)
Surgical [member] | Operating segments [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment | (122,000,000) | (112,000,000) | (114,000,000)
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | (47,000,000) | (42,000,000) | 0
Impairment charges on property, plant & equipment, net | (6,000,000) | (3,000,000) | (1,000,000)
Equity-based compensation | (55,000,000) | (55,000,000) | (45,000,000)
Vision Care [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Net sales to third parties | 3,053,000,000 | 3,188,000,000 | 3,150,000,000
Sales to former parent |  | 0 | 2,000,000
Other revenues | 70,000,000 | 146,000,000 | 0
Net sales and other revenues | 3,123,000,000 | 3,334,000,000 | 3,152,000,000
Segment contribution | 419,000,000 | 580,000,000 | 600,000,000
Impairment charges on intangible assets | (101,000,000) | 0 | 0
Vision Care [member] | Operating segments [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [line items] |  |  |
Depreciation of property, plant & equipment | (171,000,000) | (155,000,000) | (125,000,000)
Depreciation of right-of-use assets | (32,000,000) | (24,000,000) | 0
Impairment charges on property, plant & equipment, net | 0 | (5,000,000) | (1,000,000)
Equity-based compensation | $ (45,000,000) | $ (44,000,000) | $ (36,000,000)

X
- Definition Contingent Consideration Asset (Liability), Fair Value Adjustment + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_ContingentConsiderationAssetLiabilityFairValueAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Segment Contribution + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_SegmentContribution
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Separation Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_SeparationCosts
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Spin Readiness Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_SpinReadinessCosts
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Transformation Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_TransformationCosts
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of amortisation of intangible assets other than goodwill. [Refer: Depreciation and amortisation expense; Intangible assets other than goodwill] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 38 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 118 -Subparagraph e -Clause vi -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=38&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_118_e_vi&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of depreciation of property, plant and equipment. [Refer: Depreciation and amortisation expense; Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 73 -Subparagraph e -Clause vii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_73_e_vii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 75 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_75_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of depreciation of right-of-use assets. [Refer: Depreciation and amortisation expense; Right-of-use assets] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 53 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_53_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DepreciationRightofuseAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of expense from share-based payment transactions with employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ExpenseFromSharebasedPaymentTransactionsWithEmployees
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of expense relating to general and administrative activities of the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of impairment loss recognised in profit or loss for intangible assets other than goodwill. [Refer: Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss; Intangible assets other than goodwill] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 38 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 118 -Subparagraph e -Clause iv -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=38&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_118_e_iv&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of impairment loss recognised in profit or loss for property, plant and equipment. [Refer: Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss; Property, plant and equipment] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 16 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 73 -Subparagraph e -Clause v -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=16&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_73_e_v&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 98 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_98_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of expense arising from interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 23 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_23_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph e -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_28_e&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 12 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph B13 -Subparagraph f -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_B13_f&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of finance income or cost that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Finance income (cost)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 85 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_OtherFinanceIncomeCost
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of operating income (expense) that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 85 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_OtherOperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of revenue arising from sources that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Revenue] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_OtherRevenue
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase (decrease) in the net defined benefit liability (asset) resulting from past service cost and gains (losses) arising from settlements. [Refer: Gains (losses) arising from settlements, net defined benefit liability (asset); Net defined benefit liability (asset)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 19 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 141 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=19&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_141_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PastServiceCostAndGainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The profit (loss) before tax expense or income. [Refer: Profit (loss)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_28_b&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 23 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_23&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 103 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 102 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 5 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 33 -Subparagraph b -Clause i -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=5&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_33_b_i&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ProfitLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The profit (loss) from operating activities of the entity. [Refer: Profit (loss)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 32 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph IE33 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=32&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_IE33&doctype=Illustrative%20Examples -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 85 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The income arising in the course of an entity's ordinary activities. Income is increases in assets, or decreases in liabilities, that result in increases in equity, other than those relating to contributions from holders of equity claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_28_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 23 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_23_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_32&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 33 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_33_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 34 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_34&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 82 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_82_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 103 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 102 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 5 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 33 -Subparagraph b -Clause i -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=5&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_33_b_i&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 12 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph B12 -Subparagraph b -Clause v -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_B12_b_v&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IFRS -Number 12 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph B10 -Subparagraph b -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_B10_b&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_Revenue
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of revenue from contracts with customers. A customer is a party that has contracted with an entity to obtain goods or services that are an output of the entity’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 15 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 113 -Subparagraph a -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=15&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_113_a&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 15 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 114 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=15&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_114&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_RevenueFromContractsWithCustomers
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of revenue arising from the rendering of services in related party transactions. [Refer: Revenue; Related parties [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 24 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=24&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_21_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_RevenueFromRenderingOfServicesRelatedPartyTransactions
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis=ifrs-full_UnallocatedAmountsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SegmentsAxis=alc_SurgicalMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis=ifrs-full_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_SegmentsAxis=alc_VisionCareMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |