Bausch + Lomb Raises $40K+ for Optometry Giving Sight in Support of
2016 World Sight Day Challenge
FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016
BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, today announced it has raised more than $40,000 in support of the 2016 World Sight Day Challenge, which will be donated to Optometry Giving Sight, a global fundraising organization that specifically targets the prevention of unnecessary blindness and impaired vision due to Uncorrected Refractive Error (URE). In conjunction with the company, Bausch + Lomb employees from several of its sites across the U.S. organized fundraisers throughout the month of October to support the cause.
“We continue to support Optometry Giving Sight in their efforts to provide eye health services to countries that lack the appropriate resources to support them,” said Mark McKenna, senior vice president & general manager, U.S. Contact Lenses, Bausch + Lomb. “The results of our latest fundraising initiative is an example of our dedication and commitment to giving back to those in need, which is a common goal shared by Bausch + Lomb and its employees.”
Optometry Giving Sight funds the development of sustainable eye and vision care projects in communities where these do not currently exist. These projects focus on local training and capacity building, infrastructure development, and the delivery of accessible and affordable eye, vision care and child eye health services.
In addition, Optometry Giving Sight is a member of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a joint program of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). VISION 2020 aims to eliminate avoidable blindness through awareness raising, advocacy and resource mobilization, and the implementation of national eye health plans in all countries.
"We continue to appreciate Bausch + Lomb’s support of our efforts worldwide," said Clive Miller, chief executive officer, Optometry Giving Sight. "Their ongoing support will help us to fund projects which reach many more people in underserved communities, and provide access to vision care products and services in areas where they didn’t previously exist."
In addition to the company’s support of the 2016 World Sight Day Challenge, Bausch + Lomb also provided a donation of $50,000 earlier this year to Optometry Giving Sight as well as offering eye care professionals and their patients the opportunity to use a portion of their Bausch + Lomb contact lens rebate to directly support the organization through its enhanced rebate website.
About Uncorrected Refractive Error
Uncorrected refractive error is a major cause of vision impairment. More than 600 million people are blind or vision impaired simply because they don’t have access to an eye examination and a pair of glasses. It is estimated that that 80% of all blindness and low vision is avoidable – either treatable or preventable – and that 90% occurs in the developing world. This is primarily because in many developing countries there are not enough trained eye care personnel and funding to support desperately needed eye care services.
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing and restoring people’s eyesight. Its core businesses include over-the-counter supplements, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in more than 100 countries.
About Optometry Giving Sight
More than 600 million people worldwide are blind or vision impaired because they cannot access eye exams and correction. Optometry Giving Sight (GivingSight.org) is the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets uncorrected refractive error, funding projects that help train local professionals, establish sustainable vision centers and deliver eye care where it’s needed most.
© 2016 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
News Media Contacts:
Kristy Marks
Sr. Manager, Communications, Bausch + Lomb
(908) 927-0683 or kristy.marks@bausch.com
Don Murphy
Zeno Group, on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
(212) 299-8970 or don.murphy@zenogroup.com
NPR.0247.USA.16
United States
