RHEO CLINIC and Bausch & Lomb Launch Joint Cross-Canada AMD Patient Education Program.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2003

Age-related Macular Degeneration ("AMD") is the leading cause of vision loss in Canadians over the age of 50. AMD is classified as either 'dry' or 'wet'. Most patients with AMD have the dry form of the disease, which causes a gradual, progressive deterioration of the macular tissues and results in difficulty with everyday tasks such as reading, driving and visualizing colors. A much smaller number of patients progress to wet AMD where new blood vessels grow into the macular tissues of the eye and subsequently leak fluid or bleed.

There is no cure for either form of AMD. However, current advancements in treatment and research may be able to slow the normal progression of vision loss experienced with the disease. RHEO CLINIC, a wholly owned subsidiary of TLC Vision Corporation (NASDAQ:TLCV; TSX:TLC), and Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL) are now launching a joint cross-country program to educate Canadian AMD patients and their families about these new treatment options.

Rheopheresis(R) blood filtration ("RHEO") was developed through clinical research conducted for the past ten years in Japan, Western Europe and the United States. The RHEO procedure is performed using the patented Rheofilter(R) System which is designed to remove excess levels of substances known to thicken the blood, decrease blood flow and cause damage to capillary vessels. These compounds include LDL ("bad") cholesterol, fibrinogen, alpha-2-macroglobulin and other defined substances believed to be associated risk factors for macular degeneration. Clinical studies suggest that the blood filtered with RHEO is able to flow more easily through the tiny capillaries in the eye. Researchers believe that the improved microcirculation more effectively supplies the macular cells with oxygen and nutrients. Clinical evidence has shown that certain high-risk AMD patients suffering from the dry form of the disease demonstrated visual improvement following rheopheresis.(1)

"Interim results from the largest apheresis trial to date, known as the MIRA-1(2) (Multi-Center Investigation of Rheopheresis for AMD), demonstrated statistically significant effects of Rheopheresis on preserving and in some cases improving visual function of dry AMD patients when compared to placebo. This is exciting data in managing the disease in combination with high dose anti-oxidant supplement therapy," commented David Wong, MD, a leading Canadian authority on AMD.

A recent ten-year clinical study conducted by the U.S. National Eye Institute found that vitamins and minerals may have a key role to play in the treatment of AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and zinc reduced certain patients' risk of progression to advanced AMD by approximately 25%(3). Bausch & Lomb Ocuvite(R) PreserVision(TM) was the one and only eye vitamin and mineral supplement tested in that NEI study.

"Only the unique high-potency antioxidant and zinc formula tested in the NEI's Age-Related Eye Disease study was clinically proven to slow the progression of AMD and its associated vision loss among patients with more advanced forms of the disease," said Michael J. Cooney, M.D., director, Duke University Center for Macular Degeneration.

Patient education materials have been created jointly by RHEO Clinic and Bausch & Lomb and will be distributed across Canada via doctors offices, retailer point-of purchase displays, sample vitamin product mailings and community seminars.

Information on AMD and rheopheresis is available at www.rheo.com or by calling toll free 1-877-AMD-EYES. Information on AMD and the Ocuvite PreserVision eye vitamin is available at www.bausch.com or by calling toll free 1-888-459-5000.

About Bausch & Lomb

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 in 2003, the Company is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Bausch & Lomb's 2002 revenues were $1.8 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.

About TLCVision

TLC Vision Corporation is North America's premier eye care services company. TLCVision enjoys a number of valuable assets including an affiliated network of more than 12,500 optometrists and 1,000 ophthalmic surgeons, access to some of the newest clinical technologies, proven patient education and marketing programs, state-of-the art information systems, a strong operations management culture and a number of well established corporate brands. More information about the company can be found on the TLCVision web site at www.tlcv.com.

(1) Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society, 2002; 100: 85-108

(2) MIRA-1 is being conducted by Vascular Sciences Corporation

(3) Archives of Ophthalmology, October 2001

Forward Looking Statements

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