FOR RELEASE 9/9/2009, Wednesday

Survey Sheds Light on Rotational Recovery Issues for Soft Toric Contact Lens Wearers

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- More than 80 percent of soft toric contact lens wearers in the U.S. have experienced a rotational recovery issue such as blurred or fluctuating vision, a new survey from the Bausch & Lomb Center for Patient Insights shows. The survey, which included 200 soft toric lens wearers between the ages of 18 and 49, also demonstrated that rotational recovery issues can affect overall satisfaction among toric lens wearers.

Rotational recovery refers to how quickly a lens returns to the desired orientation following a disruption such as eye rubbing. Rapid rotational recovery is a critical element to reducing the potential for variable vision or loss of visual quality—problems that could lead to patient dissatisfaction, up to and including dropping out of lens wear.

“A lens that demonstrates rapid rotational recovery provides more consistently clear vision, an attribute that patients value," comments Thomas G. Quinn, O.D., M.S., a private practitioner from Athens, Ohio, and avid lecturer on the subject of toric contact lenses. “When prescribing soft toric lenses, eye care professionals should consider the importance of contact lens design, which can affect all aspects of lens stability, including rotational recovery. It’s also important for eye care professionals to ask their patients whether they’re experiencing rotational recovery issues so that correctional steps can be taken.”

The survey found that rotational issues occur across a broad cross-section of daily activities. As a result, 25 percent of toric lens wearers agree that they have to work harder at their daily tasks and participate for shorter intervals in many activities.

Currently, a study is being conducted that will provide a better understanding of rotational recovery to be presented at the American Academy of Optometry meeting taking place November 11-14.2009, in Orlando, Fla.

The new Bausch & Lomb Center for Patient Insights strives to increase access to unbiased industry information, trends, market research, and insights for eye care professionals across the U.S. Its main goal is to deliver news and insights that help eye care professionals better understand their patients, their industry, and the information and opportunities available to them.

The survey was conducted by Decision Analyst, an independent research firm.

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About Bausch & Lomb

Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company dedicated to bringing visionary ideas to eye health. Its core businesses include 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, N.Y. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information about the company can be found at www.bausch.com.