RELEASED MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2006

It has been brought to our attention that the Bausch and Lomb product ReNu® with MoistureLoc® is currently under investigation. While Edina Eye Physicians & Surgeons and Medical Contact Lens Corporation acknowledge this product is under investigation, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest standard of eye care and recommend patients using this product discontinue use and contact our office to discuss alternative cleaners until this investigation is complete. If you are using this product, please call: 952-832-8150 Bausch & Lomb Temporarily Suspends U.S. Shipments of ReNu® with MoistureLoc® Produced at Greenville S.C., Manufacturing Facility Pending Investigation of Reports of Fusarium Infections Among Contact Lens Wearers
 

FOR RELEASE MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2006

Rochester, NY --- Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL) announced today that it is temporarily suspending U.S. shipments of ReNu® with MoistureLoc® produced at its Greenville, S.C., manufacturing facility in order to facilitate the further investigation of reports of fungal keratitis infections among contact lens wearers in the United States.  This action does not affect any other Bausch & Lomb products.  Today's announcement follows the release of a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that it is reviewing reports of 109 cases of suspected fungal keratitis.  The CDC reports that the majority of cases have yet to be reviewed, but of the 30 cases reviewed to date, 28 involved contact lens wearers.  Twenty-one reported using ReNu brand contact lens care products and 5 reported using a combination of ReNu and products manufactured by other companies.  Bausch & Lomb has been collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the CDC, major eye centers and health authorities in a comprehensive investigation to determine if the reports represent an increase in the historical incidence of these infections, and to determine the root cause.

"Bausch & Lomb's first priority is the health and safety of consumers," said Ronald L. Zarrella, chairman and CEO of the company.  "The CDC data released today are both troubling and perplexing, as there is an apparent disproportionate representation of U.S. manufactured ReNu with MoistureLoc in the underlying data.  The source of these infections has not been determined.  Based on our extensive testing, analysis and further internal reviews, and communications with leading experts, the available scientific evidence does not establish any type of ReNu solution as a cause.

"The CDC has not determined if these reports represent an increase of Fusarium keratitis infections and is continuing to investigate the association, if any, of these cases with any product.  Nonetheless, in the interest of public health, we will voluntarily suspend U.S. shipments of ReNu with MoistureLoc while we pursue all appropriate steps to bring this investigation to a definitive conclusion," Zarrella concluded.

Edina Eye Physicians & Surgeons, P.A. encourages contact lens wearers to follow these guidelines for the proper use and handling of contact lenses:

• Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by a contact lens technician and the patient information included with lens care products.
• Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking the lenses overnight in enough multi-purpose solution to completely cover the lens.
• Store lenses in the proper case and replace the lens storage case every three months. Clean the contact lens case after each use and keep the case open and dry between cleanings.
• Use the proper products to clean and disinfect contact lenses as recommended by your contact lens technician. Remember that saline solutions and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
• Only fresh solution should be used to clean and disinfect contact lenses. Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed every day, even if the lenses are not used daily.
• Always replace old contacts when you get a new contact prescription.
• Always replace lenses at the prescribed intervals.
• Contact lenses are classified as a medical device/drug by the FDA.  As such, contact lens patients need to be monitored on a regular basis as directed by your contact lens technician.