Bausch & Lomb Reassesses PureVision -TM- Toric Lens U.S. Launch Plan Due to Overwhelming Demand for Its Silicone Hydrogel Lenses.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL), in response to rumors that have caused unusual trading activity today in its stock, indicated that due to the overwhelming demand for its PureVision(TM) SVS contact lens in the U.S. market and the PureVision Toric lens in Europe, it is currently reevaluating the timing of the U.S. launch of its PureVision Toric contact lens, which had been targeted for this summer.

The Company indicated that the ramp up of production of its PureVision family of lenses is ahead of schedule and it will launch the PureVision toric lens in the U.S. as soon as it has built sufficient inventory to meet anticipated U.S market demand.

The Company said that the market shift to silicone hydrogel lenses in the U.S. SVS lens market is occurring faster than expected and believes it is important to capitalize on this shift now.

Sales of the Bausch & Lomb SofLens66(TM) Toric contact lens continue to grow at double-digit rates and, in fact, reached an all-time high market share in the U.S. in the last quarter, giving the Company flexibility on its PureVision Toric launch plans.

This news release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business performance of Bausch & Lomb. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those concerning global and local economic, political and sociological conditions, and the effect on economic, commerce, social and political systems caused by natural disasters (such as, without limitation, earthquakes, hurricanes/typhoons, tornadoes and tsunamis), currency exchange rates, government pricing changes and initiatives with respect to healthcare products, changes in laws and regulations relating to the Company's products and the import and export of such products, product development and rationalization, enrollment and completion of clinical trials, the ability of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, the outcome of litigation, the ability of the Company to launch products within planned timeframes, the success of product introductions, the financial well-being of key customers, development partners and suppliers, the successful execution of marketing strategies, the continued successful implementation of the Company's efforts in managing and reducing costs and expenses, the Company's success in introducing and implementing its enterprise-wide information technology initiatives, including the corresponding impact on internal controls and reporting, the Company's success in the process of management testing, including the evaluation of results, and auditor attestation of internal controls (as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), the continued successful execution of the Company's profitability improvement plans, continued positive relations with third party financing sources, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to, the current report on Form 8-K dated June 14, 2002 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 26, 2005.

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. Founded in 1853, the Company is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Bausch & Lomb's 2004 revenues were $2.2 billion; it employs approximately 12,400 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 Incorporated.