New Report Reveals Vision Loss a Concern for Aging
Americans Surveyed, But Majority Are Unaware Age-related Macular
Degeneration Is a Leading Cause of Blindness
VAUGHAN,
Ontario, Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch +
Lomb Corporation (NYSE/TSX: BLCO) ("Bausch + Lomb"), a leading
global eye health company dedicated to helping people see better to
live better, today released a report of survey results from the
company's first annual Visionary Report, which was designed
to identify new key insights into the value Americans place on
their eyesight, as well as the 'blind spots' that may exist in the
understanding and awareness of Age-related Macular Degeneration
(AMD), a leading cause of vision loss for those over age
501 and the leading cause of blindness for the 65+
population2.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8949451-bausch-lomb-sponsored-visionary-report-amd/
Most notably in the report, 81% of U.S. adults surveyed would be
willing to give up something else that is important - going on
vacation, a million dollars, the internet, listening to music, the
ability to remember people's names or another one of their senses -
if it meant never losing their eyesight. Despite this clear
prioritization of the ability to see, only 37% of U.S. adults 50+
surveyed know that AMD is a very real threat as a leading cause of
vision loss for Americans.
"Today in the United States, an
estimated 16 million Americans suffer from AMD, and this figure is
expected to grow as the number of those age 65 and older continues
to rise,"3-4 said Joe
Gordon, president, Global Consumer, Surgical and Vision
Care, Bausch + Lomb. "Bausch + Lomb is committed to addressing the
eye health needs of patients, and we believe it's important to gain
a better understanding of how Americans understand this condition
and its potentially debilitating impact on their vision. Our hope
is that this report will raise awareness, help to fill those
education gaps and foster important dialogue between eye care
professionals and their patients."
Key findings from the 2022 Visionary Report include:
Eyesight is a crystal clear priority across
generations.
- 62% of Americans 50+ are worried about losing their
eyesight as they age.
- 81% of Americans would be willing to give up one of the
following if it meant never losing their eyesight: going on
vacation again, a million dollars, the internet, listening to
music, the ability to remember people's names or another one of
their senses.
Despite this, AMD – a leading cause of vision loss –
isn't in focus.
- Only 44% of Americans are concerned about developing AMD
as they get older.
- Alzheimer's disease and dementia impact 11% of seniors
65+ and 82% of Americans 65+ are very/somewhat familiar with
it. By contrast, AMD impacts 30% of the 65+ population and
only 56% of those aged 65+ are aware of it.5
True understanding of AMD remains blurry.
- 61% of Americans aren't aware that a dilated eye
exam is needed to diagnose AMD.
- 58% of Americans 50+ aren't sure if the progression
of AMD is inevitable.
- Less than half of Americans are aware that
vitamins/supplements may reduce the risk of progression of AMD in
some patients.
Americans have a desire to see what they've been missing,
learn more and take action.
- 75% of Americans who see an
ophthalmologist/optometrist and have heard of AMD have never
discussed it with their provider.
- 77% of this group would be interested in discussing
AMD, along with its warning signs and risk factors, with their eye
doctor.
"The data included in the Bausch + Lomb Visionary Report
is impactful as a practicing physician as it demonstrates that many
of those who are vulnerable to AMD are both unaware of the risk and
are unfortunately lacking a full understanding of AMD and how it
can affect their vision," said Rishi
Singh, staff physician, Cleveland Clinic Florida, and
president, Cleveland Clinic Martin North and South Hospitals. "It's
clear that the majority of Americans who have been to the eye
doctor are interested in discussing the condition, warning signs
and risk factors, and these are insights my colleagues and I can
use to help patients feel confident and in control of their eye
health."
To read the 2022 Visionary Report, visit
https://www.sightmatters.com/visionary-report.
About the Methodology Behind the Visionary
Report
The Visionary Report was conducted online within
the United States by The Harris
Poll on behalf of Bausch + Lomb from April
14-18, 2022 among 2,073 respondents, 18 years of age and
older. The sampling precision of Harris Online Polls is measured by
using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the
sample data is accurate to within +2.8 percentage points using a
95% confidence level.
About AMD
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a
progressive eye condition that impacts central vision and is a
leading cause of blindness in adults aged 50 and older. The eye
disease impacts central vision and occurs when the macula – the
part of the eye that controls sharp straight-ahead vision – is
damaged over time, causing people to have difficulty seeing faces,
reading, driving or doing
close-up work like cooking.3 Early-stage
AMD often does not present any symptoms or changes in vision, as
symptoms usually appear gradually over time. This progressive
condition can impact one or both eyes.3
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is dedicated to protecting
and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the
world – from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Its
comprehensive portfolio of more than 400 products includes contact
lenses, lens care products, eye care products, ophthalmic
pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products and ophthalmic surgical
devices and instruments. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has a
significant global research and development, manufacturing and
commercial footprint with more than 12,000 employees and a presence
in nearly 100 countries. Bausch + Lomb is headquartered in
Vaughan, Ontario with corporate
offices in Bridgewater, New
Jersey. For more information,
visit www.bausch.com and connect with us on Twitter,
LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release may contain
forward-looking statements, which may generally be identified by
the use of the words "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends,"
"plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes,"
"estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or
similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current
expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch + Lomb's filings with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian
Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by
reference. They also include, but are not limited to, risks and
uncertainties caused by or relating to the evolving COVID-19
pandemic, and the fear of that pandemic and its potential effects,
the severity, duration and future impact of which are highly
uncertain and cannot be predicted, and which may have a material
adverse impact on Bausch + Lomb, including but not limited to its
project development timelines, launches and costs (which may
increase). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any
of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch + Lomb
undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by
law.
References
- Source: Prevent Blindness: Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Fact Sheet:
https://preventblindness.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/PBAMD_Fact-Sheet21.pdf.
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Website. Retrieved
from
https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/macular-degeneration.html#:~:text=AMD%20is%20a%20major%20cause,vision%20needed%20to%20see%20clearly.
Accessed June 8, 2022.
- National Eye Institute Website. Retrieved from
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration.
Accessed June 8, 2022.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Projections. Retrieved from
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2018/cb18-41-population-projections.html.
Accessed June 8, 2022.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Chronic Conditions
Prevalence State/County Table: All Fee-For-Service
Beneficiaries.
© 2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
PV2.0092.USA.22
Investor
Contacts:
|
Media
Contacts:
|
Arthur
Shannon
|
Lainie
Keller
|
arthur.shannon@bausch.com
|
lainie.keller@bausch.com
|
|
(908)
927-1198
|
Allison Ryan
|
|
allison.ryan@bausch.com
|
Kristy Marks
|
(877) 354-3705 (toll
free)
|
kristy.marks@bausch.com
|
(908)
927-0735
|
(908)
927-0683
|
|
|
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-annual-bausch--lomb-sponsored-visionary-report-spotlights-nations-blind-spots-on-age-related-macular-degeneration-a-leading-cause-of-vision-loss-for-people-50-301622635.html
SOURCE Bausch + Lomb