Bausch & Lomb Previews New Single-Use IOL Insertion System at American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery Meeting.

Business Editors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2003

-- Also, Houston Surgeon Presents Hyperopia Clinical Data from

the Bausch & Lomb Technolas(R) 217A Excimer Laser System

Bausch & Lomb (NYSE: BOL) previewed its new SofPort(TM) System, the first and only integrated, single-use, single-handed planar delivery intraocular lens (IOL) insertion system, for surgeons attending the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) annual meeting here, which ends tomorrow.

The Bausch & Lomb SofPort System's three-piece IOL insertion system - that allows IOL insertion through a sub-3.0 mm incision - is specifically designed to allow cataract surgeons to perform less invasive surgery. This reduces the amount of trauma to the eye, which can improve patient recovery time.

"With cataract being a treatable eye disease and more than two million Americans undergoing cataract surgery this year, it is imperative that eye care professionals have the most advanced cataract instruments at their fingertips so they can provide their patients with the best possible care," said John Hunkeler, M.D., of the Hunkeler Eye Institute, Kansas City, Mo. "With the successful use of the SofPort System, our cataract patients will encounter a confident surgeon, experience a more efficient procedure and enjoy faster recovery."

The SofPort System's advanced design also enables surgeons to have more control of the IOL throughout the insertion process. The SofPort System's proprietary planar delivery method minimizes the amount of lens unfolding typically encountered with traditional delivery systems. This unique method of unfolding the lens is designed to increase the safety of the procedure.

Bausch & Lomb plans to launch the SofPort System in the U.S. in May, followed by selected world markets.

An estimated 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by cataracts, a degenerative disease in which the eye's lens gradually becomes opaque. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Associated with the aging process, cataract can be successfully treated by removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an IOL implant.

Also at ASCRS, Stephen G. Slade, M.D., F.A.C.S., of Houston, presented for the first time detailed outcome data from the U.S. FDA clinical trial for the Technolas(R) 217A Excimer Laser System for LASIK treatment of hyperopia (or farsightedness), for which he was the lead investigator. In February, the FDA approved the Bausch & Lomb laser for treatment of hyperopia, in addition to myopia. The trial was conducted at eight centers on 358 hyperopic eyes.

Notable results six months after surgery include:

-- 61.4% achieved 20/20 uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) or

better and 94.8% achieved 20/40 UCVA or better;

-- 81.4% maintained or improved their night-driving vision;

-- 92.5% were satisfied with overall visual correction;

-- 98.9% reported overall improvement in their quality of vision

with the majority indicating marked improvement.

-- 74.1% of patients maintained or improved their best-corrected

visual acuity (BCVA) six months after surgery.

-- Nine 9 months after treatment, 98% of patients achieved refractive stability within 1D of intended refractive treatment.

"Hyperopia traditionally has been among the most challenging visual impairments to treat," said Slade. "The excellent results of the Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217A Excimer Laser System for LASIK treatment of hyperopia provides difficult-to-treat patients with an effective and safe vision correction alternative.

"The 217A Laser, already demonstrating significant improvements for patients with myopia, allows physicians to treat both hyperopic and myopic patients with one system," Slade said.

Bausch & Lomb Incorporated is the preeminent global technology-based healthcare company for the eye, dedicated to helping consumers see, look and feel better through innovative technology and design. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Company is advantaged with some of the most respected brands in the world starting with its name, Bausch & Lomb(R), and including SofLens(R), PureVision(TM), Boston(R), ReNu(R), Storz(R) and Technolas(R). Founded in 1853 in Rochester, N.Y., where it continues to have its headquarters, the Company has annual revenues of approximately $1.8 billion and employs approximately 11,500 people in more than 50 countries. Bausch & Lomb products are available in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about the Company can be found on Bausch & Lomb's Web site at www.bausch.com . Copyright Bausch & Lomb.