(PRESS RELEASE) BRIDGEWATER, NJ and CHICAGO, IL — Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business, and Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health non-profit organization, announced that they are joining together for the sixth consecutive year during AMD Awareness Month to raise awareness of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults 50 years of age and older. The two organizations will launch a year-long video series which will feature the personal stories of people who have AMD and the strategies they have for living a healthy lifestyle with the first episode launching later this month.
“Every February for the past six years, we have collaborated with Prevent Blindness to raise awareness of AMD, which affects approximately 16 million people in the United States,” said Joe Gordon, U.S. president, Bausch + Lomb. “Beginning this month and through the remainder of 2021, we will release videos that highlight several outstanding people who have been able to successfully manage their AMD diagnosis while continuing to live fulfilling lives. It is our hope that through their stories we can encourage others with AMD, particularly during these times, to take the right actions to help reduce their risk of progression of this debilitating condition.”
As part of the launch of the video series, Bausch + Lomb and Prevent Blindness will post a variety of content on their social media pages throughout AMD Awareness Month in February to share facts and helpful information about AMD. Additionally, Bausch + Lomb will donate $1* to Prevent Blindness and its sight-saving fund for every “share” or “like” of certain posts from the Bausch + Lomb SightMatters Facebook page at facebook.com/SightMattersCommunity.
“We’re very proud of the progress we’ve made with Bausch + Lomb in raising awareness and providing resources to support people living with AMD. We look forward to expanding our efforts by sharing real-life personal stories,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO, Prevent Blindness. “Even with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and some delays in routine care, we hope that these videos, coupled with our social media campaign, will inspire people to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam with their doctor — the only way to get properly diagnosed with AMD.”
Although there is no cure for AMD, there are steps that patients can take as part of a plan created with their doctor to help reduce their risk of progression. These steps include stopping smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and receiving a dilated eye exam.
Patients can also talk to their doctor about taking a vitamin based on the AREDS2 study. Only 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.
To watch the video series and find more information on AMD, visit SightMatters.com. For a free listing of organizations and services that provide financial assistance for vision care in English or Spanish, visit Prevent Blindness here.