Bausch & Lomb Executives Adopt 10b5-1 Trading Programs.

Business Editors

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2004

Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL) announced today that several of the Company's executives are adopting prearranged stock trading plans in accordance with guidelines specified by Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

Rule 10b5-1 allows programs to be established that permit a corporate insider to prearrange purchases or sales of his/her company's securities at a time when that individual is not aware of any material non-public information. Such a program typically involves establishing a written plan to buy or sell shares on a regular basis over a set period of time. These pre-planned trades can then be executed at a later date, as spelled out in the plan, without further action by the officer and without regard to any subsequent non-public information the individual might have received or the price of the stock at the time of the sale. The rule allows insiders to gradually diversify their investment portfolios, to minimize the market effect of stock sales by spreading them out over an extended period of time, and to avoid concerns about initiating stock transactions while in possession of material nonpublic information.

Bausch & Lomb executives who are adopting 10b5-1 plans at this time include Ronald L. Zarrella, chairman and CEO; John M. Loughlin, senior vice president and president - Asia Region; and Robert B. Stiles, senior vice president and general counsel. Other Company executives may also establish such plans in the future.

Under the current plan adopted by Zarrella, through the end of 2004 he will sell up to 180,000 shares acquired from the exercise of stock options. The amount of stock which is covered by each of the three executives' plans will not exceed 15 percent of each individual's total Bausch & Lomb stock and options granted to that individual by the Company.

Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company, dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the Company is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Bausch & Lomb's 2003 revenues were approximately $2 billion; it employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information about the Company can be found on the Bausch & Lomb Web site at www.bausch.com. Copyright Bausch & Lomb.