Feb. 14, 2018
Bausch + Lomb has launched a public service announcement and docu-series, designed to raise awareness of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in adults aged 50 and older. The series includes deeply 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.
“As a company singularly devoted to vision health for more than 160 years, we are inspired by the spirit of the more than 9 million Americans who suffer from moderate to advanced stages of this progressive eye disease, and believe their stories have the power to motivate others to take action to help preserve their vision,” said Joe Gordon, President, Bausch + Lomb Consumer Healthcare.
AMD is characterized by loss of central vision, in one or both eyes. It is estimated that one in five people over the age of 65 will be diagnosed with this disease and, as the population ages, that number is expected to increase4. In its early stages, AMD may not present any symptoms, therefore patients may not think to consult with their eye care professional—leaving opportunity for the condition to advance. Left untreated, AMD has the potential to lead to severe vision loss or blindness.
Though there is no cure for AMD, there are steps that patients with AMD can take that can help to reduce the risk of progression, such as maintaining a healthy diet and taking PreserVision AREDS 2 Formula eye vitamins—which contain the exact nutrient formula recommended by the National Eye Institute for people with moderate to advanced AMD. Patients should talk to their eye doctor to see if an AREDS 2 formula vitamin is right for them.
Throughout the month of February, AMD Awareness Month, Bausch + Lomb encourages people to show their support of those living with AMD on social media. From February 1 through February 28, 2018, every “share” or “like” of a Bausch + Lomb Facebook post promoting AMD Awareness Month will result in a $1* donation to the organization Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight.
“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,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “For the third consecutive year, with Bausch + Lomb’s leadership, we will be making a positive impact in educating the public on AMD as well as reminding everyone of the importance of healthy vision.”
The public can help raise awareness by adding the #WhyEyeFight custom frame to their Facebook profile picture, or by sharing social posts with the hashtag, #WhyEyeFight. Links to the Bausch + Lomb AMD Facebook posts and instructions on how to add the Facebook profile picture frame are available at www.WhyEyeFight.com.
For more information on AMD or the #WhyEyeFight campaign, visit www.WhyEyeFight.com or www.preventblindness.org/amd. Follow the conversation on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #WhyEyeFight.
