B + L, Walgreens collaborate on consumer program

Rochester, NY, and Deerfield, IL-Bausch + Lomb and Walgreens announced today a new SightSense online and in-store patient education program. The initiative aims to heighten eye health awareness and encourage consumers to take proactive steps to protect and preserve their sight.

“Bausch + Lomb is excited to work with Walgreens to put eye health information within easy reach of consumers, which we hope will motivate more people to take better care of their eyes,” said Bausch + Lomb executive vice president and chief medical officer, Calvin Roberts, M.D. “We know that more than 80 percent of visual impairment is preventable, which makes it that much more important to elevate eye health awareness among consumers.”



The SightSense program features a special eye health section on www.Walgreens.com that provides tools, information, and resources to help consumers become informed and proactive in their eye health, including a PSA-like video that illustrates the connection between eye health and overall wellness, as well as an eye health assessment test to screen for common problems. The Web site also provides an eye care professional locator for consumers to find an eye doctor near them, as well as a list of upcoming in-store events.

SightSense in-store events will be held in approximately 10 cities across the country in 2013, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami. The events will feature educational forums led by eye health professionals as well as eye screenings for common problems. Additionally, informative brochures on eye health will be available at all Walgreens stores nationwide beginning in July 2013. 

Through both the online and in-store components of the SightSense program, consumers will be encouraged to get regular eye exams from their local eye care professionals, a key step to maintaining healthy eyes and preventing other health-related problems. Routine eye exams also can lead to better treatment and prevention of other diseases.