Prevent Blindness America and Bausch & Lomb Team Up to Increase Children's Vision Screening Programs

Prevent Blindness America
Monday, 4 June 2001

$100,000 Grant to Help Provide 1.5 Million Elementary Students Vision Screening

Schaumburg, IL - Bausch & Lomb, the global healthcare company for the eye, participating eye-care retailers and Prevent Blindness America are launching a nationwide effort this summer called "Helping Kids See Their World,"a cause-related marketing program to donate $100,000 for in-school vision screenings during the 2001-2002 school year.

Vision Screening of children is critically important. More than 12.1 million children, or one in four, suffer with some vision impairment. It is estimated that vision problems in nearly 430,000 children can cause permanent loss of sight, if left untreated. Prevent Blindness America recommends that children see an eye care practitioner for a complete eye examination shortly after birth, again at six months and between the ages of three and five. However, only 14 percent of preschool children receive a comprehensive vision examination before entering the first grade. Prevent Blindness America and its network of field offices conduct vision screening programs in pre-schools and elementary schools to detect the most common eye problems in children: amblyopia ("lazy eye"), myopia (near sightedness) and strabismus (crossed eyes).

Through the end of the year, Bausch & Lomb's "Helping Kids See Their World" program will contribute up to $100,000 from U.S. sales from all of its contact lens care products, including its top-selling BostonR, ReNuR, and Sensitive EyeR brands as well as its over the counter products including Opcon-AR, Moisture EyesR and Bausch & Lomb Eye WashR. This significant contribution will fund additional vision screening programs for Prevent Blindness America.

"Our screening programs reached nearly 1.5 million children last year, and with Bausch & Lomb's help we will be able to reach even more" says PBA chairman, Brian Smith. "Not only does corrected vision contribute to a better education for students, early detection of vision problems can prevent serious impairments that could affect the rest of their lives."

The partnership with Prevent Blindness America is in line with B&L's commitment to helping people look, see and feel better. "Bausch & Lomb is the global leader in developing innovative technology to address issues related to the eye" says Steven Schuster, President, Bausch & Lomb's U.S. Lens and Lens Care business. "We believe strongly in programs that aid in early detection of visual limitations and encourage parents to schedule regular visits to their eye care practitioner."

Look for specially marked packages of Bausch & Lomb products at retailers across the United States.

For more information, or to contact Prevent Blindness America, see their website at: www.preventblindness.org