Bausch + Lomb and CROMA Pharma Donate Urgently-Needed Eye Drops

Product Will Benefit 25,000 People in Africa via LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

VIENNA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--An estimated 16 million people suffer blindness as a resulted of cataracts, making it the leading cause of blindness globally.¹ Cataract is the clouding of the human eye´s crystalline lens. This is despite cataract surgery being one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide. For many, poverty makes accessing even basic eye care impossible. The Austrian organization LIGHT FOR THE WORLD supports people who have no access to ophthalmic care. Through cataract surgeries performed in 145 different projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Southeast Europe, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD saved the sight of 41,369 people in 2011.

“We are delighted to be able to support LIGHT THE WORLD in their effort to improve the sight of people in Africa”

Bausch + Lomb, the global eye health company, and CROMA Pharma, a private global specialty pharmaceutical and surgical company, have donated 50,000 units anti-inflammatory eye drops (bromfenac sodium sesquihydrate), a highly effective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for postoperative ocular inflammation following cataract extraction, to LIGHT FOR THE WORLD’s projects in Africa. These eye drops, are vital for post-operative -treatment of cataract patients.

“This generous donation is remarkable and will have a huge impact on our projects!” states Dr. Karl Rigal, Chief Resident Ophthalmologist at the Vienna Hanusch-Hospital and voluntary board member of LIGHT FOR THE WORLD. “The eye drops work well. As the eye drops only have to be used twice a day, this makes the after-treatment in countries where medical care hardly exists, much easier. This is of real benefit to patients in developing countries who often are not used to taking medicine at all.”

Cataract surgery takes 15 minutes and in a developing country costs on average around €30. The surgery can restore sight even when someone has been blind from cataract for many years. However, without proper care after the cataract surgery, complications can develop leading to diminished vision or even loss of sight.

”It is our social responsibility and commitment to support the improvement of vision in economically challenged regions of the world, said Mag. Gerhard Prinz, CEO of CROMA Pharma GmbH. “CROMA Pharma has been contributing to LIGHT FOR THE WORLD for many years and we are proud to make a difference in improving health and quality of life.”

“We are delighted to be able to support LIGHT THE WORLD in their effort to improve the sight of people in Africa,” said Calvin Roberts, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer, Bausch + Lomb. “Proper post-operative care is the key to maximizing the surgery’s results – ultimately achieving the best possible outcome for the patient.”

Pictures:

CRO_PA_Licht für die Welt_Bild 1: Gerhard Prinz (right), Founder and president of CROMA Pharma, is handing over the biggest donation in kind in the history of LICHT FÜR DIE WELT to Dr. Karl Rigal (left), oculist and honorary member of the board of LICHT FÜR DIE WELT. (Copyright: LICHT FÜR DIE WELT) http://db.tt/qnqxbuWB

CRO_PA_Licht für die Welt_Bild 2: Laya Daio (in the middle) with her grandchildren after successful treatment in Burkina Faso. (Copyright: LICHT FÜR DIE WELT / Ulrich Eigner) http://db.tt/muSjTI8L

CRO_PA_Licht für die Welt_Bild 3: Hospital nurse Salfo Congo (left) receives the delivery of pharmaceuticals in Burkina Faso. (Copyright: LICHT FÜR DIE WELT / Ulrich Eigner) http://db.tt/wucpBzuG

Background: LIGHT FOR THE WORLD

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is a European confederation of national development NGOs committed to saving eyesight, improving the quality of life and advocating for the rights of person with disabilities in the underprivileged regions of our world. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD is dedicated to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities in developing countries, without discrimination on gender, ethnicity, social group or religion.

About Bausch + Lomb

Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare companies in the world. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.bausch.com.

About CROMA

CROMA Pharma GmbH is a private global specialty pharmaceutical and surgical company dedicated to improving people’s health through the development and commercialization of innovative products in the ophthalmology, osteoarthritis and aesthetic dermatology fields. Founded in 1976, the company is headquartered in Leobendorf, Austria (near Vienna) and employs approximately 400 individuals at its headquarters and subsidiaries in Austria, Germany, France, Poland, Romania Spain and the USA. Today as a global player CROMA distributes its products in 62 countries via its own commercial sales organization(s), strategic partnerships and distributors. More information is available at www.croma.at

¹ http://www.who.int/blindness/Vision2020_report.pdf