Visionary New Eye Product Launched by Bausch & Lomb in theUnited Kingdom

SURREY, England -- Eye health specialist Bausch & Lomb has today unveiled a groundbreaking new product designed to help individuals preserve good macular health.

A healthy diet high in vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids has long been recognised as essential for maintaining the health of your macula. Ocuvite® Complete is an advanced supplement formulated to provide nutritional support for the macula based on the most current research. Ocuvite Complete contains high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, and zinc. It is an advanced antioxidant formulation that was developed by Bausch & Lomb based on the most current research in macular health and nutrition.

As a nation, over 90% of us fear losing our sight above any of the other sensesⁱ, and perhaps understandably so -- vision impairment and loss has a direct impact on more than 2 million people in the UK todayⁱⁱ.  Statistics also suggest that by the time we reach 60, 1 in 12 of us will be blind or partially sighted, rising to 1 in 6 when we hit 75ⁱⁱⁱ.

New Ocuvite Complete is designed to counter nutrition insufficiencies which are thought to lead to common macular health conditions.  The product contains high-quality ingredients including carotenoids, lutein^iv and zeaxanthin^v, and omega-3^vi fatty acids, all of which are backed by extensive research linking their consumption to the maintenance of eye health.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are yellow pigments which are naturally concentrated in the macula at the back of the eye and are useful in filtering out harmful blue light. Powerful antioxidants, they are also responsible for countering the negative effects of free radicals which can lead to eye damage and vision loss.

Unlike any other eye health product, Ocuvite Complete also contains 500mg of omega-3 fatty acids -- of which 360mg is docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA.  DHA is one of the building blocks of the eye, brain and nervous system.  In fact, the highest concentration of DHA in the body is found within the retina, where it plays an essential role in regulating its function. 

As the body is unable to manufacture lutein, zeaxanthin or omega-3 fatty acids, we need to obtain them through diet. However, eating the recommended daily amounts of foods rich in these nutrients -- such as oily fish and green leafy vegetables^vii -- isn’t always easy. 

With guidelines suggesting that individuals should consume at least a mixing bowl of spinach every day, alongside four portions of fish (including two of oily fish) a week to meet recommendations for lutein and omega-3 intake, it’s not difficult to see why. 

Ian Grierson, professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Liverpool, said: “The advantage of nutritional carotenoid supplements is that the levels are much higher than those found in food, so supplementation is a much more reliable way of ensuring consistent levels of essential micronutrients are absorbed by the body. A supplement providing the right balance of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3s is not only safe, but could protect eyes against future age-related changes when diet alone fails to deliver.”

Ocuvite Complete contains high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, and zinc, and is available as two-a-day soft gel capsules over the counter at most pharmacies. Priced at £14.95 (RRP) for 60 soft gels -- a month’s supply.

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About Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb is dedicated to bringing visionary ideas to eye health. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. 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., and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.bausch.com.

Ocuvite is a registered trademark of Bausch & Lomb.