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`Glaucoma Research
`Foundation Media Contact:
`Andrew J. Jackson
`(415) 986-3162
`ajackson@glaucoma.org
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`Bausch Health Investor
`Contact:
`Arthur Shannon
`arthur.shannon@bauschhealth.com
`(514) 865-3855
`(877) 281-6642 (toll free)
`
`Bausch Health Media
`Contact:
`Lainie Keller
`lainie.keller@bauschhealth.com
`(908) 927-1198
`
`NEW SURVEY FROM BAUSCH + LOMB AND GLAUCOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION REVEALS
`EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT OF HYPEREMIA ON GLAUCOMA PATIENTS
`
`Survey Results Are Released During Glaucoma Awareness Month
`
`LAVAL, Quebec, and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 4, 2022 – Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business
`of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) (“Bausch Health”), and Glaucoma Research Foundation
`(GRF), a national non-profit organization with the vision of curing glaucoma, today released, during Glaucoma
`Awareness Month, new key findings from a survey of glaucoma patients that was designed to gain a greater
`understanding of the impact that hyperemia can have in the treatment and lives of people living with glaucoma.
`In the United States, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in individuals over 60,
`affecting approximately three million people1,2.
`
`For people with glaucoma, adherence to a treatment regimen is critical for managing their condition and
`controlling intraocular pressure, which helps to slow disease progression3. Certain treatments for glaucoma can
`result in hyperemia of the eye due to an increase in blood flow in vessels at the surface of the eye, resulting in
`red eyes4,5. Patient’s concern about and dissatisfaction with side effects are among the primary reason for non-
`adherence and discontinuation6. With hyperemia as the most common documented side effect, some glaucoma
`patients stop or skip medication as a result6, which may have implications for long-term treatment and patient
`eye health.
`
`“Bausch + Lomb is proud to collaborate with Glaucoma Research Foundation to raise awareness of hyperemia
`and how it may have an impact on the lives of patients with glaucoma,” said Joe Gordon, U.S. president, Bausch
`+ Lomb. “The survey results demonstrated that the emotional cost of hyperemia is high, with 71 percent of
`participants feeling self-conscious and 55 percent feeling embarrassed about their red eyes. It is our hope that by
`raising awareness of this issue, we can help facilitate discussions among patients and their eye care professionals
`about their options and the importance of adhering to their treatment regimen.”
`
`The survey included 101 adults, 18 years and older in the United States, who have glaucoma and have
`experienced hyperemia as a result of their treatment. The survey found that few glaucoma patients know about
`
`
`
`hyperemia when starting treatment for glaucoma, with 61 percent reporting that they only became aware of the
`condition after experiencing it themselves.
`
`Additionally, nearly half (43 out of 101) of the respondents reported talking to their doctors about changing their
`glaucoma treatment as a result of hyperemia, and 12 out of 101 either skipped doses or stopped using their
`prescription eye drops. Approximately 66 out of 101 participants reported feeling more confident when their
`eyes were not red, and respondents also indicated that there was some social stigma associated with having red
`eyes. In fact, one in 10 patients stopped their treatment in certain social or professional circumstances and 41 out
`of 101 noted concerns about experiencing negative social interactions as a result.
`
`“These findings build upon earlier evidence that hyperemia presents a challenge to people with glaucoma and
`sheds light on how the condition may not only impact how they treat their glaucoma, but how they live their
`lives,” said Andrew Iwach, M.D., board chair, Glaucoma Research Foundation, and executive director,
`Glaucoma Center of San Francisco. “The results reinforce the importance for eye care professionals to have an
`open dialogue with their patients about the available treatment options and any concerns that they may have.
`This can help patients to feel confident about managing their glaucoma and demonstrate the importance of
`taking control of their eye health by maintaining the appropriate treatment regimen.”
`
`For more information on glaucoma, visit the GRF website at https://www.glaucoma.org or the Bausch + Lomb
`website at https://www.bausch.com/your-eye-concerns/diseases-and-disorders/glaucoma.
`
`About Glaucoma
`Glaucoma is a complex disease that occurs when build-up of fluid creates pressure in the eye, leading to damage
`of the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for the communication of information between the eye and
`brain. Damage to the optic nerve can lead to severe vision loss, and in the worst case, blindness. As one of the
`leading causes of preventable blindness, glaucoma affects about three million people in the United States1,2.
`
`About Hyperemia
`Hyperemia may occur due to multiple causes such as in response to allergic inflammation, irritants, infections,
`and multiple ocular diseases, and is also the most common documented side effect of certain glaucoma
`treatments7. Hyperemia occurs when there is an increase in blood flow to certain organs or parts of the body.
`When this happens in the eye, the increased diameter of veins/blood vessels causes an increase in blood flow
`which makes the eye appear red4.
`
`About Glaucoma Research Foundation
`Founded in 1978, GRF has been upholding its mission to cure glaucoma through innovative research, leading
`the industry as a non-profit organization. Building a team of collaborators through researchers and scientists over
`the years, all sharing the common goal of finding a cure - GRF is committed to raising awareness, spreading the
`word and encouraging others to have a shared goal. For more information visit, https://www.glaucoma.org/, and
`follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
`
`About Bausch + Lomb
`Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc., is solely focused on
`helping people see. Its core businesses include over-the-counter products, dietary 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 approximately 100 countries. For more information, visit
`www.bausch.com.
`
`About Bausch Health
`Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people’s
`lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical
`device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and
`
`
`
`dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing
`global health. For more information, visit www.bauschhealth.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
`
`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 Health’s
`most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health’s other 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 Health, 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 Health
`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
`
`1. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/symptoms-
`causes/syc-20372839. Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2021.
`2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from
`https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html. Reviewed on Nov. 3,
`2021.
`3. National Eye Institute: Glaucoma and Eye Pressure. Retrieved from https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-
`eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma/glaucoma-and-eye-pressure. Reviewed on Nov. 12,
`2021.
`4. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319416. Reviewed on
`Nov. 5, 2021.
`5. Stalmans I, Lemij H, Clarke J, Baudouin C; GOAL study group. Signs and Symptoms of Ocular Surface
`Disease: The Reasons for Patient Dissatisfaction with Glaucoma Treatments. Clin Ophthalmol.
`2020;14:3675-3680. Published 2020 Oct 30. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S269586
`6. Ophthalmology Times: Glaucoma: Hyperemia a common cause for medication changes.
`https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/glaucoma-hyperemia-common-cause-medication-changes.
`Reviewed on November 10, 2021.
`7. Review of Ophthalmology: Code Red: The Key Features of Hyperemia.
`https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/code-red-the-key-features-of-hyperemia. Reviewed on
`December 1, 2021.
`
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`###
`
`All product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective owners.
`© 2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
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