Bausch & Lomb To Adjust Worldwide Contact Lens Manufacturing Workforce

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2006

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Bausch & Lomb will make adjustments to its worldwide contact lens manufacturing workforce over the next several months, reducing approximately 400 positions, the majority of them temporary jobs, in manufacturing plants in Europe and the United States.

As it has done previously, the Company will continue to adjust its temporary workforce to meet changing business conditions, and expects to rehire some of these temporary employees in the new year. The Company had added to its temporary workforce to ramp up production of its PureVision(TM) silicone hydrogel contact lens.

In addition, the Company is transitioning its contact lens lines, including its one-day products, to newer designs made using more automated, advanced manufacturing technology.

The adjustments announced today affect plants in Waterford, Ireland; Livingston, Scotland; and Rochester, N.Y., USA.

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 those concerning economic conditions, currency exchange rates, product development and introduction, the financial well-being of key customers, the successful execution of marketing strategies, the continued successful implementation of its efforts in managing and reducing costs and expenses, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to filings on Form 8-K and on Form 12b-25, each dated August 8, 2006.

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 13,700 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.

(TM)/(R) represent registered trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.