NEW YORK—Bausch + Lomb, working with Prevent Blindness, kicked off a new public service campaign and docu-series designed to raise awareness of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) at a breakfast briefing in New York City on Tuesday morning. AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in adults ages 50 and older. The new public service video series includes powerful stories of people living with AMD, while encouraging others to understand the risk factors for AMD and how to help reduce the risk of progression of the disease, according to an announcement. Watch the video here.

This is the third consecutive year that Prevent Blindness and Bausch + Lomb have joined together to support AMD Awareness Month and the #WhyEyeFight program. The campaign is designed to help people better understand AMD, and support the sight-saving efforts of Prevent Blindness.

During February, Bausch + Lomb has pledged to donate $1 to Prevent Blindness, up to $50,000, for every “share” or “like” of a Bausch + Lomb Facebook post promoting AMD Awareness Month and the #WhyEyeFight program.

Joe Gordon, president of Bausch + Lomb Consumer Healthcare, said B+L as a company has been “singularly devoted to vision health for more than 160 years” and, as a result, is “inspired by the spirit of the more than 9 million Americans who suffer from moderate to advanced stages of AMD.” He said B+L believes their “stories have the power to motivate others to take action to help preserve their vision.”

Prevent Blindness chief operating officer Jeff Todd told attendees at the briefing that he first became acquainted with macular degeneration when his grandmother was diagnosed with the disease. “She was a nurse, and she was a caregiver,” he recalled. “She wasn’t a woman who wanted to be cared for, but [rather] her job was to care for others. She was a very lively woman, and almost overnight that changed.” Todd noted that Prevent Blindness is pleased to be working with Bausch + Lomb on this education and awareness effort so people can be better informed about the risks and treatment options for AMD.

Hugh R. Parry, president and chief executive officer of Prevent Blindness, added: “We value our continued collaboration with Bausch + Lomb and the #WhyEyeFight program that helps those living with AMD, and their caregivers, learn about this disease and the best ways to help prevent significant vision loss from it.”


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Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness Detail Support of #WhyEyeFight for AMD Awareness

Dr. Michael Cooney, retina specialist, Dr. Lester Hosten, director of Medical Affairs for Bausch + Lomb, and Jeff Todd, COO of Prevent Blindness, led the briefing session at the #WhyEyeFight media event in New York City on Feb. 6.

Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness Detail Support of #WhyEyeFight for AMD Awareness

Jeff AMD Simulator- Jeff Todd, COO of Prevent Blindness, experiences the Bausch + Lomb AMD VR simulator from the #WhyEyeFight event.

Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness Detail Support of #WhyEyeFight for AMD Awareness

Retina specialist Dr. Michael Cooney explains the “science of AMD” at the briefing session for #WhyEyeFight.

Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness Detail Support of #WhyEyeFight for AMD Awareness

Bausch + Lomb’s Dr. Lester Hosten and retina specialist Dr. Michael Cooney take questions from reporters after their briefing about the #WhyEyeFight awareness campaign.

Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness Detail Support of #WhyEyeFight for AMD Awareness

Prevent Blindness chief operating officer Jeff Todd discusses the importance of building awareness for AMD and the #WhyEyeFight initiative during the briefing session.

Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness Detail Support of #WhyEyeFight for AMD Awareness

Dr. Michael Cooney has the attention of the attendees at the Feb. 6 briefing, which was held at the Rooftop Lounge of The Kimberly Hotel in New York City’s midtown neighborhood.