Americans Report Being Left High and Dry While On Computers, In Front of TVs and On the Road

ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fact: the average person spends more than 33 hours per week watching TV.¹ Add in the average 3.6 hours per day in front of a screen on social network sites² and countless hours on a computer at work or school, and you're looking at a substantial amount of screen time. All this screen exposure could have an extremely irritating effect on your eyes, especially if you wear contact lenses.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130618/NY33741LOGO )

According to a recent nationwide poll that drew participation from more than 167,000 contact lens wearers, over half (55.2 percent) agreed that looking at a computer or television screen when wearing contact lenses were the key factors in experiencing eye discomfort.³

"I'm one of those guys who spends hours on a screen – literally – from the TV screen to the computer screen to the screen on my mobile device. And as a contact lens wearer, I know how important it is for people to be able to count on their lenses for the most important parts of their day – including watching me on TV," said Ross Mathews, comedian, "The Tonight Show" correspondent and "Chelsea Lately" regular. "No one should be left high and dry when they're trying to see the world around them. That's why I'm working with Bausch + Lomb to invite people to take the Biotrue^® Challenge – so they can see first-hand how lens wearing can be easier on their eyes, no matter what the day may bring."

"People who experience dry, irritated eyes while wearing contact lenses throughout the day should consider trying a contact lens solution that is designed to work like the eyes, such as Biotrue multi-purpose solution," said Ryan Stybel, O.D. "The lubricant in Biotrue multi-purpose solution is found naturally in the eyes, and it has a unique formula that helps to keep lenses moist for up to 20 hours. This has made a world of difference for my patients who have found that they can now comfortably wear their lenses longer into the evening."

Consumers can take the Biotrue Challenge by visiting biotruechallenge.com. Participants have until August 30, 2013 at 11:59:59 a.m. ET to try Biotrue multi-purpose solution, experience the difference and share their feedback with others, for a chance to win $10,000.

To learn more or to take the Biotrue Challenge, please visit www.biotruechallenge.com.

About the Biotrue^® Dryness Poll
The Biotrue Dryness Poll was conducted by Bausch + Lomb, makers of Biotrue multi-purpose solution. The Biotrue Dryness Poll was an online survey designed to determine how consumers feel about their current contact lens wearing experience and gauge the situations that leave consumers feeling the most high and dry. 167,423 people responded to the poll between February 5 and May 6, 2013.

About Biotrue^®
Biotrue multi-purpose solution is currently available in the U.S. Designed to work like your eyes, Biotrue is the only brand with a pH that matches healthy tears and a lubricant found naturally in the eye.  The clear bottle allows you to track how much solution remains and comes in a range of sizes that can be found at most nationwide food, drug and mass retailers. Pricing is based on product size and varies from retailer to retailer. Biotrue is the newest in Bausch + Lomb's portfolio of lens care products that also includes renu^® fresh™, renu^® sensitive™, Boston Simplus^®, Boston Advance^® and Boston Conditioning Solution and Boston Cleaner^® solutions. For more information about Biotrue multi-purpose solution, please visit your local eye care practitioner and www.biotrue.com.

About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb is a leading global eye health company that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing, and restoring people's eyesight.  Our core businesses include ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments.  We globally develop, manufacture and market one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in our industry, which are available in more than 100 countries.  Founded in 1853, our company is headquartered in Rochester, NY, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide.  

References:
¹ Cross-Platform Report: How We Watch From Screen to Screen. (n.d.). Nielsen. Retrieved April 18, 2013, from http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/newswire/2012/cross-platform-report-how-we-watch-from-screen-to-screen.html

² Socialogue: The Most Common Butterfly On Earth Is The Social Butterfly . (n.d.). Ipsos North American Market Research. Retrieved April 18, 2013, from http://ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5954

³ Results of a voluntary online poll conducted by Bausch & Lomb Inc. between February 2013 and May 2013.

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SOURCE Bausch + Lomb