Prevent Blindness, Bausch + Lomb kick off AMD Awareness Month campaign to educate patients

Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness are joining together for the seventh consecutive year during AMD Awareness Month to share education and raise greater awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in adults 50 years and older that affects approximately 16 million people in America.

“Over the past several years, our AMD Awareness month campaign has raised $225,000 in support of Prevent Blindness’ sight-saving fund, which helps identify and remove eye care barriers for patients, including those with AMD,” Joe Gordon, U.S. president of Bausch + Lomb, said in a statement. “Another component of this campaign is sharing critical information and guidance around this sight stealing condition. We are proud to continue to lead this conversation so we can educate patients to take the actions they need to support their lifelong eye health.”

According to the partners, throughout the month of February, Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness will share educational content on their social media pages to encourage patients to take an informed and active role in their AMD journey, particularly the importance of visiting an eye care professional for an annual dilated eye exam – the only way to diagnose and check on the progression of the condition.

Bausch + Lomb will also donate $1 to Prevent Blindness and its sight-saving fund for every “like” or “share” of designated social media posts from the Bausch + Lomb SightMatters Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SightMattersCommunity up to $50,000 during the month of February.

“While AMD is a condition that can lead to blindness and does not yet have a cure, there are steps that patients can take to help reduce their risk of progression,” Jeff Todd, president and CEO, Prevent Blindness, said in a statement. “Together with Bausch + Lomb, we look forward to making a positive impact in educating the public on AMD, as well as reminding everyone of the importance of healthy vision.”

According to the news release, the steps that patients can take as part of a plan created with their doctor to reduce their risk of AMD progression include receiving a dilated eye exam, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet.

Patients can also talk to their doctor about taking a vitamin based on the AREDS2 study, which was a study conducted by the National Eye Institute (NEI). NEI researchers tested and refined the AREDS formula for more than 20 years. PreserVision AREDS 2 formula eye vitamins contain the exact nutrient formula recommended by the National Eye Institute to help reduce the risk of moderate to advanced AMD progression.

Bausch + Lomb noted in the release that it is committed to supporting patients with AMD, and in the coming months, the company will unveil its Visionary Report, a survey that will be designed to uncover AMD education gaps and arm patients with insights to help them take control of their eye health while feeling confident in their decision making. Bausch + Lomb’s Visionary Report will also provide eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists, with new insights on the mindset and awareness levels of AMD patients to help them make informed decisions to meet the needs of their patients.