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 /CNW/ -- 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 people^1,2.

(PRNewsfoto/Bausch Health Companies)

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 eyes^4,5. 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 States^1,2.

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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