BAUSCH & LOMB INC
424B2, 1998-07-23
OPHTHALMIC GOODS
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<PAGE>   1
                                            Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
                                            Registration No. 333-45223

 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
SUCH STATE.
 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT (Subject to Completion, Issued July 22, 1998)
 
(To Prospectus Dated February 13, 1998)
 
                                  $200,000,000
 
                           Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
                           % DEBENTURES DUE JULY    , 2028
                            ------------------------
 
                    Interest payable January       and July
                            ------------------------
 
THE DEBENTURES WILL BE REDEEMABLE IN WHOLE OR IN PART, AT THE OPTION OF BAUSCH &
 LOMB INCORPORATED (THE "COMPANY"), AT ANY TIME, AT A REDEMPTION PRICE EQUAL TO
THE GREATER OF (I) 100% OF THEIR PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OR (II) THE SUM OF THE PRESENT
  VALUE OF THE REMAINING SCHEDULED PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST THEREON
 DISCOUNTED TO THE DATE OF REDEMPTION ON A SEMIANNUAL BASIS (ASSUMING A 360-DAY
 YEAR CONSISTING OF TWELVE 30-DAY     MONTHS) AT THE TREASURY YIELD (AS DEFINED
HEREIN) PLUS       BASIS POINTS, PLUS IN EACH CASE ACCRUED INTEREST TO THE DATE
 OF REDEMPTION. THE DEBENTURES HAVE NO SINKING FUND PROVISIONS. THE DEBENTURES
  WILL MATURE ON JULY   , 2028. THE DEBENTURES WILL BE REPRESENTED BY A GLOBAL
DEBENTURE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY
    ("DTC"), WHICH WILL ACT AS THE DEPOSITARY (THE "DEPOSITARY"). BENEFICIAL
 INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL DEBENTURE WILL BE SHOWN ON, AND TRANSFERS THEREOF WILL
BE EFFECTED ONLY THROUGH, RECORDS MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY AND, WITH RESPECT
TO THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS' INTERESTS, BY THE DEPOSITARY'S PARTICIPANTS. EXCEPT AS
 DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS, DEBENTURES IN DEFINITIVE FORM WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
  SETTLEMENT FOR THE DEBENTURES WILL BE IN SAME-DAY FUNDS. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF
                       DEBENTURES -- BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM."
                            ------------------------
 
APPLICATION WILL BE MADE TO LIST THE DEBENTURES ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.
                            ------------------------
 
     Concurrently with the offering of the Debentures (the "Offering"), the
Company is offering an additional $300,000,000 aggregate principal of its debt
securities (the "Debt Securities Offering"). The closings of the Offering and
the Debt Securities Offering are not conditioned upon each other.
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
                   PRICE      % AND ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        UNDERWRITING
                                                          PRICE TO      DISCOUNTS AND      PROCEEDS TO
                                                          PUBLIC(1)    COMMISSIONS(2)     COMPANY(1)(3)
                                                          ---------    ---------------    -------------
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>                <C>
Per Debenture...........................................       ___%            ___%              ___%
Total...................................................  $                $                 $
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from August   , 1998.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $        .
                            ------------------------
 
     The Debentures are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted
by the Underwriters and subject to approval of certain legal matters by Davis
Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of
the Debentures will be made on or about August   , 1998 through the book-entry
facilities of the Depositary against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.
                            ------------------------
 
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER                                 CHASE SECURITIES INC.
                           CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.
                                                          SCOTIA CAPITAL MARKETS
July   , 1998
<PAGE>   2
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE,
SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO
WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR
THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE SUCH
DATE.
                            ------------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE DEBENTURES.
SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING,
AND MAY BID FOR, AND PURCHASE THE DEBENTURES IN THE OPEN MARKET. FOR A
DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING."
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
                   PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
The Company.................................................   S-3
Use of Proceeds.............................................   S-3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..........................   S-3
Recent Developments.........................................   S-3
Description of the Debentures...............................   S-6
Underwriting................................................   S-9
Legal Matters...............................................  S-10
 
                         PROSPECTUS
Additional Information......................................     3
Documents Incorporated by Reference.........................     3
The Company.................................................     4
Recent Developments.........................................     4
Use of Proceeds.............................................     5
Description of Debt Securities..............................     5
Plan of Distribution........................................    10
Experts.....................................................    11
Validity of Debt Securities.................................    11
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
     This Prospectus Supplement should be read in conjunction with the
accompanying Prospectus, dated February 13, 1998, of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
(the "Company"). The Prospectus describes the Indenture, dated as of September
1, 1991, as supplemented (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Citibank,
N.A., as trustee ("Trustee"). The Debentures will be issued pursuant to the
Indenture.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Bausch & Lomb Incorporated is a global eye care company dedicated to
helping consumers see, look and feel better through innovative technology and
design. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses,
lens care products, premium sunglasses, ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical
products. The Company's brands include Bausch & Lomb(R), Ray-Ban(R),
Arnette(TM), SofLens66(TM), Boston(R), Killer Loop(R), ReNu(R), Revo(R) and
Storz(R). Founded in 1853 in Rochester, N.Y., where it continues to have its
headquarters, the Company has annual revenues of approximately $2.5 billion and
employs more than 15,000 in 35 countries. Bausch & Lomb products are available
in more than 100 countries around the world. The Company's executive offices are
located at One Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester, New York 14604, telephone number
(716) 338-6000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the
Debentures are estimated at $          after the deduction of the underwriting
discount and of the estimated expenses payable by the Company. The Company
intends to use the net proceeds of the Debenture Offering for repayment of
short-term debt which was incurred, in part, to finance the Company's
acquisition of Chiron Vision Corporation and Storz Instrument Company and
certain related affiliates as described in the Prospectus.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table represents the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods shown.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ------------------   --------------------------------
  MARCH 28, 1998     1997   1996   1995   1994   1993
- ------------------   ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
<S>                  <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
      (1.85)*        3.04   4.16   5.46   3.71   7.06
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
* Excluding the effects of the restructuring charges and the charge for
  purchased-in-process research and development charges from the surgical
  acquisitions in 1998, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges at March 28, 1998
  would have been 1.56.
 
     For the purpose of this ratio: (i) earnings consist of income before fixed
charges and income taxes for the Company and (ii) fixed charges consist of
interest and debt expense on all indebtedness (without reduction for interest
capitalized) and that portion of rental payments on operating leases estimated
to represent an interest factor for the Company.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On July 21, 1998, the Company announced the results of its second quarter
ended June 27, 1998. Revenues from ongoing product lines for the second quarter
were $629.5 million, up 24% from the $507.2 million reported in the second
quarter of 1997. This comparison excludes $5.0 million in 1997 second-quarter
revenues from the thin film technology business, which was divested in December
1997, as well as $5.6 million in 1998 second-quarter revenues and $11.0 million
in 1997 second-quarter revenues from the skin care business, which was divested
on May 21, 1998. The comparison includes $104.1 million in 1998 second-quarter
revenues generated by the pharmaceuticals and surgical product lines of the
former Chiron Vision Corporation and Storz Instrument Company, which were
acquired by the Company at the beginning of the
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
1998 fiscal year. Adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates,
second-quarter revenues from ongoing product lines were up 28%.
 
     Excluding certain purchase accounting adjustments and other items recorded
in the second quarter of 1998 and in the second quarter of 1997, the Company
reported net earnings of $37.8 million, or $.67 per share, for the second
quarter of 1998 compared to earnings in the same period of 1997 last year of
$38.5 million, or $.69 per share.
 
     The Company's 1998 second-quarter earnings were reduced by $10.2 million
after taxes, or $.18 per share, related to purchase accounting adjustments to
the reported cost of the inventories acquired with Chiron Vision and Storz
Instruments. The Company also recorded an after-tax charge of $5.1 million, or
$.09 per share, as the final charge in connection with the strategic
restructuring program it announced in April 1997. In addition, the Company
recorded an after-tax gain of $33.0 million, or $.58 per share, in connection
with the sale of its skin care business.
 
     Including these items recorded in the second quarter of 1998 and a
restructuring charge recorded in the same period of 1997, the Company reported
earnings of $55.5 million, or $.98 per share, for the second quarter of 1998
compared to $20.3 million, or $.36 per share in the second quarter of 1997.
 
     On a geographic basis, ongoing revenues in the U.S. increased 27% from the
same period last year, and constituted 49% of total Company sales from ongoing
businesses. Outside the U.S., revenues from ongoing businesses grew 21%, and
were up 28% when adjusted for currency rate changes.
 
     Through the end of the second quarter of 1998, revenues from ongoing
product lines were $1,168.9 million, up 24% from the $941.7 million reported in
the same period in 1997. The 1998 figure excludes $19.2 million in revenues from
the divested skin care business, and the 1997 figure excludes $32.8 million in
revenues from the divested skin care and thin film technology businesses. Net
earnings excluding restructuring charges, purchase accounting adjustments and
the gain from the sale of the skin care business were $52.0 million, or $.93 per
share, in the first half of 1998, compared to $56.3 million, or $1.01 per share,
in the first six months of 1997. These items reduced net earnings to $6.1
million, or $.11 per share in 1998, and $23.5 million, or $.42 per share, in
1997.
 
SECOND-QUARTER RESULTS BY BUSINESS
 
     Revenues in the Company's vision care business rose 4%, or 8% when adjusted
for currency changes. Sales of contact lenses increased 13% on a constant-dollar
basis, driven by continued strong growth in the Company's disposable and planned
replacement contact lens lines and sales of the Company's SofLens(R) one day
disposable lenses in Europe that were more than double 1997's level. Revenues
from lens care products were up 4% when adjusted for currency, reflecting strong
growth and market share gains for the company's ReNu(R) line of multipurpose
lens care products.
 
     Ongoing revenues from the Company's eyewear business were down 2% from the
second quarter of 1997, and rose 1% when adjusted for currency changes. Sunglass
revenues in the U.S. rose 1%, despite lower sales to Sunglass Hut International
that reflected lower inventory carrying requirements. Outside the U.S., eyewear
revenues in constant dollars for the second quarter of 1998 were flat with
revenues in the same period of 1997.
 
     Revenues from the Company's pharmaceuticals/surgical businesses were $162.9
million in the second quarter of 1998, versus $54.0 million in the same period a
year earlier, reflecting the addition of the former Chiron Vision and Storz
product lines. Pharmaceutical revenues rose 17%, or 19% when adjusted for
currency changes, benefiting from acquired product lines, continued strong
growth in the Company's over-the-counter general eye care line in the U.S., the
introduction of Lotemax(TM) and Alrex(TM), and strong constant dollar growth in
the Dr. Mann Pharma business in Germany. The Company's progress in integrating
the former Chiron Vision and Storz surgical businesses has led to realizing cost
savings from the consolidation of those operations faster than originally
expected.
 
     Ongoing revenues from the healthcare businesses increased 11%, and were up
13% for the second quarter of 1998 when adjusted for currency changes. Revenues
in the Company's Charles River Laboratories
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
subsidiary increased 11% in constant dollars, with gains in each major business
line. The Miracle-Ear(R) hearing aid business grew 24%, benefitting from the
growth in the number of Company-owned outlets.
 
     This Prospectus Supplement contains, among other things, certain statements
of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or the future business
performance of the Company. Such statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties including those concerning economic conditions, product
development and introduction, the financial well-being of key customers, the
successful execution of marketing strategies, the continued successful
implementation of the restructuring effort in reducing costs and expenses of
manufacturing processes and administrative functions, as well as the risk
factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not
limited to the Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 1998 and on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
 
     The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries have been prepared by the Company in
accordance with the accounting policies stated in the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the Notes To
Financial Statements appearing therein, and are based in part on approximations.
 
                             STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           QUARTER ENDED              SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                      ------------------------    ------------------------
                                                       JUNE 27,      JUNE 28,      JUNE 27,      JUNE 28,
                                                         1998          1997          1998          1997
                                                       --------      --------      --------      --------
                                                       (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Net Sales
  Vision Care.......................................    $ 242.8       $ 233.3       $ 458.8       $ 434.7
  Eyewear(1)........................................      148.5         157.0         260.8         278.4
  Pharmaceuticals/Surgical..........................      162.9          54.0         301.6         103.1
  Healthcare(2).....................................       80.9          78.9         166.9         158.2
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
                                                          635.1         523.2       1,188.1         974.4
Costs and Expenses
  Cost of products sold.............................      298.3         231.5         574.4         458.7
  Selling, administrative and general...............      246.5         201.8         474.8         382.8
  Research and development..........................       22.9          16.1          43.5          31.7
  Purchased in process research and
     development(3).................................         --            --          85.0            --
  Restructuring charges(4)..........................        7.6          26.1          11.3          38.9
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
                                                          575.3         475.5       1,189.0         912.1
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
                                                           59.8          47.7          (0.9)         62.3
Operating Earnings
Other (Income) Expense
  Interest and investment income....................      (10.6)         (9.4)        (20.7)        (19.4)
  Interest expense..................................       26.3          14.1          51.7          27.7
  (Gain) loss from foreign currency.................       (1.8)         (2.7)         (3.6)         (3.8)
  (Gain) on Divestiture(5)..........................      (56.0)           --         (56.0)           --
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
                                                          (42.1)          2.0         (28.6)          4.5
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
Earnings Before Income Taxes and Minority
  Interest..........................................      101.9          45.7          27.7          57.8
  Provision for income taxes........................       40.0          19.3          10.0          23.6
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
Earnings Before Minority Interest...................       61.9          26.4          17.7          34.2
  Minority interest in subsidiaries.................        6.4           6.1          11.6          10.7
                                                        -------       -------       -------       -------
Net Earnings(6).....................................    $  55.5       $  20.3       $   6.1       $  23.5
                                                        =======       =======       =======       =======
Diluted Earnings Per Share..........................    $  0.98       $  0.36       $  0.11       $  0.42
                                                        =======       =======       =======       =======
Average Shares Outstanding -- Diluted (000s)........     56,582        55,771        56,146        55,683
                                                        =======       =======       =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) 1997 included $5.0 in second quarter and $9.2 in six-month sales from the
    divested Thin Film business.
 
(2) 1998 amounts include $5.6 in second quarter and $19.2 in six-month sales
    from the divested skin care business. 1997 amounts included $11.0 in second
    quarter and $23.6 in six-month sales from this business.
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
(3) Write-off of purchased in process research and development reduced six-month
    1998 net earnings by $51.0 or $0.91 per diluted share.
 
(4) Restructuring charges reduced second quarter 1998 net earnings by $5.1 or
    $.09 per diluted share and six-month net earnings by $7.6 or $0.13 per
    diluted share. Such charges reduced second quarter 1997 net earnings by
    $18.3 or $0.33 per diluted share and six-month net earnings by $26.0 or
    $0.47 per diluted share.
 
(5) Gain on divestiture increased 1998 second quarter and six-month net earnings
    by $33.0 or $0.58 per diluted share.
 
(6) 1998 amounts reflect the impact of higher reported cost of products sold
    related to the write-up of acquired inventory for accounting purposes.
    Second quarter pre-tax results include $16.1 ($10.2 after taxes or $0.18 per
    diluted share) of such costs. Six-month results include $32.1 ($20.4 or
    $0.36 per diluted share) of such costs. 1997 six-month amounts included $6.8
    or $0.12 per diluted share after taxes in write-offs in the eyewear segment.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              JUNE 27,    DECEMBER 27,
                                                                1998          1997
                                                              --------    ------------
                                                                 (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                     MILLIONS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Cash and Short-term Investments.............................  $  147.5      $  183.7
Trade Receivables, Net......................................     511.4         374.8
Inventories, Net............................................     408.6         324.3
Other Current Assets........................................     264.7         207.4
                                                              --------      --------
  Current Assets............................................   1,332.2       1,090.2
Properties, Net.............................................     673.3         580.2
Intangible Assets...........................................     805.9         406.9
Other Investments, Net......................................     546.3         546.4
Other Assets................................................     167.9         149.2
                                                              --------      --------
  Total Assets..............................................  $3,525.6      $2,772.9
                                                              ========      ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-Term Debt.............................................  $  792.3      $  343.8
Other Current Liabilities...................................     592.4         543.5
                                                              --------      --------
  Current Liabilities.......................................   1,384.7         887.3
Long-Term Debt..............................................     783.5         510.8
Other Long-Term Liabilities.................................     112.5         119.4
Minority Interest...........................................     437.7         437.0
                                                              --------      --------
          Total Liabilities.................................   2,718.4       1,954.5
          Shareholders' Equity..............................     807.2         818.4
                                                              --------      --------
          Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity........  $3,525.6      $2,772.9
                                                              ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBENTURES
 
     The following description of the particular terms of the Debentures offered
hereby (referred to herein as the "Debentures" and in the Prospectus as the
"Debt Securities") supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith,
replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of the Debt
Securities set forth in the prospectus, to which description reference is hereby
made. The following summary of the Debentures is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Indenture referred to in the Prospectus.
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debentures will be limited to $200,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount. The Debentures will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000, will bear interest from July   , 1998, at the annual rate
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and will mature on
July   , 2028. Interest will be payable semi annually on January   and July   ,
commencing January   , 1999 to the holders of record of the Debentures on the
preceding January   and July   , respectively. The Debentures will be issued in
book-entry form.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
     The Debentures will be redeemable as a whole or in part, at the option of
the Company at any time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100%
of their principal amount or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of
redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months) at the Treasury Yield plus                basis points, plus in
each case accrued interest to the date of redemption.
 
     "Treasury Yield" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per
annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable
Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as
a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
such redemption date.
 
     "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker (as defined herein) as having a
maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Debentures that would be
utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial
practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable
maturity to the remaining term of the Debentures.
 
     "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i)
the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
business day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such business day, (A) the average
of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations (as defined herein) for such
redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury
Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.
 
     "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, Chase Securities Inc., Citicorp Securities, Inc. and Bank of Nova
Scotia Securities, provided however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to
be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary
Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary
Treasury Dealer.
 
     "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the
third business day preceding such redemption date.
 
     "Independent Investment Banker" means Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated or,
if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an
independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the
Trustee.
 
     Holders of Debentures to be redeemed will receive notice thereof by
first-class mail at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed
for redemption.
 
     The Debentures have no sinking fund provisions.
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEMS
 
     The Debentures will be issued in fully registered form in the name of Cede
& Co., as nominee of DTC. A fully registered certificate will be issued as a
Global Debenture for the Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of the
Debentures. Such Global Debenture will be deposited with DTC and may not be
transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC
to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee to a successor of DTC
or a nominee of such successor.
 
          DTC has advised the Company and the Underwriters as follows:
 
          DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
     Banking Law, a "banking organization" under the New York Banking Law, a
     member of the Federal Reserve Systems, a "clearing corporation" within the
     meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
     registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. DTC holds securities that its
     participants ("Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the
     settlement among Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers
     and pledges, in deposited securities, through electronic computerized
     book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need
     for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants
     include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
     corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of
     its Direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the
     American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities
     Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
     securities brokers and dealers, banks, and trust companies that clear
     through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant,
     either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). The rules
     applicable to DTC and its Participants are on file with the Securities and
     Exchange Commission.
 
          Purchases of Debentures under the DTC system must be made by or
     through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Debentures
     on DTC's records. The ownership of interest of each actual purchase of
     Debentures ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and
     Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written
     confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected
     to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as
     well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct and Indirect
     Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the
     transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Debentures are to be
     accomplished by entries made on the books of Participants acting on behalf
     of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates
     representing their ownership interests in the Debentures, except in the
     event that use of the book-entry system for the Debentures is discontinued.
 
          To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Debentures deposited by
     Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership
     nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of Debentures with DTC and their
     registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial
     ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the
     Debentures; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct
     Participants to whose accounts such Debentures are credited, which may or
     may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Participants will remain responsible
     for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
          Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct
     Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by
     Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
     governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory
     requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
          Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to the
     Global Debenture. Under its usual procedures DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to
     the Company as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy
     assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct
     Participants to whose accounts the Securities are credited on the record
     date (identified in the listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy). Regulations
     governing the Direct Participants may under certain circumstance require
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
     Direct Participants to exercise voting rights in conformity with the
     express directions of Beneficial Owners.
 
          Principal and interest payments on the Global Debenture will be made
     to DTC. The Company expects that DTC, upon receipt of any payment of
     principal or interest in respect of the Global Debenture, will credit
     immediately Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate
     to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the
     Global Debenture as shown on DTC's records. The Company also expects that
     payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing
     instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held
     for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street
     name", and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC,
     the Company or the Trustee, subject to any statutory or regulatory
     requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
          DTC may discontinue providing its service as securities depositary
     with respect to the Debentures at any time by giving reasonable notice to
     the Company or the Trustee. In addition, the Company may decide to
     discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC (or a
     successor securities depositary). Under such circumstances, if a successor
     securities depositary is not obtained, Debenture certificates in fully
     registered form are required to be printed and delivered to Beneficial
     Owners of the Global Debentures representing such Debentures.
 
     The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be reliable
(including DTC), but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy
thereof.
 
     Neither the Company, the Trustee nor the Underwriters will have any
responsibility or obligation to Participants, or the persons for whom they act
as nominees, with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC, its nominee or
any Participant with respect to any ownership interest in the Debentures, or
payments to, or the providing of notice to Participants or Beneficial Owners.
 
     The Debentures will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and
secondary market trading activity in the Debentures will, therefore, settle in
immediately available funds. All applicable payments of principal and interest
on the Debentures issued as a Global Debenture will be made by the Company in
immediately available funds.
 
     For other terms of the Debentures, see "Description of Debt Securities" in
the accompanying Prospectus.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Debentures will be subject to defeasance and discharge and to
defeasance of certain obligations as described under "Description of Debt
Securities -- Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance" in the Prospectus.
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
dated the date hereof, the Underwriters named below have severally agreed to
purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell to them, severally, the respective
principal amount of the Debentures set forth opposite their respective name
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
NAME                                                             OF DEBENTURES
- ----                                                            ----------------
<S>                                                             <C>
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated...........................      $
Chase Securities Inc........................................
Citicorp Securities, Inc....................................
Scotia Capital Markets (USA) Inc. ..........................
                                                                  ------------
          Total.............................................      $200,000,000
                                                                  ============
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   10
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Debentures are subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions.
The Underwriters hereof are committed to take and pay for all of the Debentures
if any are taken.
 
     The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Debentures directly
to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page hereof
and part to certain dealers at such price that represents a concession not in
excess of      % of the principal amount of the Debentures. The Underwriters may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of      % of the
principal amount of the Debentures to certain other dealers. After the initial
offering of the Debentures, the offering price and other selling terms may from
time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
 
     Affiliates of certain of the Underwriters are lenders to the Company. In
addition, certain of the Underwriters or their affiliates participate on a
regular basis in various general financing and banking transactions for the
Company and its affiliates.
 
     Application will be made to list the Debentures on the New York Stock
Exchange.
 
     In order to facilitate the offering of the Debentures, the Underwriters may
engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of
the Debentures. Specifically, the Underwriters may overallot in connection with
the offering of the Debentures, creating a short position in the Debentures for
their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the
price of the Debentures, the Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the
Debentures in the open market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim
selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the
Debentures in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed
Debentures in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization
transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the
market price of the Debentures above independent market levels. The Underwriters
are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these
activities at any time.
 
     The Company has agreed pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement to indemnify
the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the Debentures will be passed upon
for the Company by Robert B. Stiles, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
of the Company, and for the Underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New
York, Mr. Stiles beneficially owns approximately 4,028 shares of the Company's
Common Stock and also has exercisable options to purchase an additional 19,691
shares of the Company's Common Stock. Pursuant to its By-laws and an indemnity
agreement, the Company is required to indemnify Mr. Stiles to the fullest extent
permitted by New York law against any expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which he is made
party by reason of his being an officer of the Company. The Company also
maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance under which Mr. Stiles is
insured against certain expenses and liabilities.
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   11
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                           Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                            ------------------------
     Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (the "Company") may from time to time offer debt
securities ("Debt Securities") which may be either senior debt securities or
subordinated debt securities and may be exchangeable or convertible into shares
of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.40 (the "Common Stock"), with an
aggregate public offering price of up to $500,000,000.00 on terms to be
determined at the time or times of offering. The Debt Securities may be offered
in separate classes or series, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set
forth in a supplement to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     The specific terms of the Debt Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement and will include, where applicable, the title, aggregate principal
amount, denominations, maturity, rate (which may be fixed or variable) or method
of calculation thereof, time of payment of any interest, any terms for
redemption at the option of the holder or the Company, any terms for sinking
fund payments, rank, any conversion or exchange rights, any listing on a
securities exchange, and the initial public offering price and any other terms
in connection with the offering and sale of any Debt Securities.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Debt Securities
covered by such Prospectus Supplement. The Common Stock is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BOL." Any Common Stock issuable upon
exchange or conversion of any Debt Securities offered pursuant to a Prospectus
Supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to official notice of
issuance.
 
     The Debt Securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from
time to time by the Company, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any
agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the Debt Securities,
their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount
arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from
the information set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of
Distribution."
 
     No Debt Securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable
Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such
class or series of the Debt Securities.
                            ------------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
  ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
     PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is February 13, 1998
<PAGE>   12
 
     No person is authorized in connection with any offering made hereby to give
any information or to make any representation not contained or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, and any information or representation not
contained or incorporated herein must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Company or any Underwriter. This Prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, by any person
in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such offer
or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus at any time nor any
sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, imply that the information
herein is correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH AN OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES, THE UNDERWRITERS, IF ANY,
FOR SUCH OFFERING MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR
MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE SECURITIES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT
OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   13
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with
respect to the securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus. This Prospectus,
which is part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.
For further information with respect to the Company and such securities,
reference is made to the Registration Statement and such exhibits, copies of
which may be examined without charge at, or obtained upon payment of prescribed
fees from, the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Such
information is also available for inspection and copying at the regional offices
of the Commission located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New
York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511.
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports and proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be
inspected and copied at the locations described above. Copies of such materials
can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates or from the
Commission's worldwide web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Common
Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and similar information
concerning the Company can be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents, which have been filed by the Company under the
Exchange Act with the Commission, are incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference: the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 1996, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly periods ended March 29, 1997, as amended on May 28, 1997, June 28,
1997 and September 27, 1997 and the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on January 13, 1998.
 
     All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing
of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in and to be a part of this Prospectus
from the date of filing of such reports and documents (provided, however, that
the information referred to in Instruction 8 to Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission is not incorporated herein
by reference).
 
     Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in the Registration Statement containing this Prospectus or in any other
subsequently filed documents which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral
request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the documents referred to
above which have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference,
other than exhibits to those documents. Requests should be directed to: Investor
Relations Department, Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, One Bausch & Lomb Place,
Rochester, New York 14604 (716) 338-6025.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   14
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Bausch & Lomb Incorporated is a world leader in the development,
manufacture and marketing of products and services for the eye care and
healthcare fields. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable
contact lenses, lens care products, premium sunglasses and ophthalmic
pharmaceutical products. The Company was founded in 1853 in Rochester, N.Y.,
where it continues to have its headquarters. The Company has annual revenues of
approximately $2 billion and employs over 13,000 people in 35 countries. Bausch
& Lomb products are available in more than 100 countries around the world.
Except where the context otherwise requires, the term "Company" includes Bausch
& Lomb Incorporated and its subsidiaries. The Company's executive offices are
located at One Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester, New York 14604, telephone number
(716) 338-6000.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
LITIGATION UPDATE
 
     In its 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company described shareholder
actions commenced in June 1994 against the Company and several officers. On
November 14, 1997, the Company entered into a memorandum of understanding with
the attorneys representing the purported class of purchasers of Bausch & Lomb
common stock from December 13, 1993 through January 25, 1995. Bausch & Lomb
agreed to pay $42 million to resolve these claims. The parties have agreed to
work out the specific terms of the settlement during the ninety days following
execution of the memorandum of understanding. Once the detailed terms of the
settlement agreement are finalized between Bausch & Lomb and the attorneys for
the shareholders, the agreement will be submitted to the court for approval and
notice of the specific terms will be provided to potential members of the class.
 
     In its 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company discussed a continuing
investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Company's
accounting treatment of a fourth quarter 1993 sales program initiated by the
Contact Lens Division and of sunglass sales in its Asia Pacific Division in the
period from late 1992 through early 1994. On November 17, 1997, the Company
confirmed that it had entered into an administrative Consent Order with the SEC,
finally resolving the investigation. The Consent Order requires that the Company
cease and desist from committing or causing any violation and any future
violation of certain provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated
thereunder.
 
CHANGES IN LONG TERM DEBT RATINGS
 
     In its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
September 27, 1997, the Company reported that following the announcement of
pending acquisitions by the Company of Chiron Vision Corporation and Storz
Instrument Company, both Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investor Service placed
the Company's long term debt ratings under review for possible downgrade. The
Company has been notified by each rating service that its review has been
completed, the result being that the Company's long-term debt has been
downgraded by Standard & Poor's to BBB and by Moody's Investor Service to Baa2.
 
RECENT ACQUISITIONS
 
     In its Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 13, 1998, the Company
reported the consummation of two previously announced acquisitions. The
following summarizes the information contained in that report:
 
     On December 29, 1997, the Company acquired, for $300 million in cash, all
of the issued and outstanding shares of Chiron Vision Corporation ("Chiron
Vision"), pursuant to an October 21, 1997 agreement between the Company and
Chiron Corporation, the sole shareholder of Chiron Vision. Chiron Vision's
business is the research, development and manufacture of innovative products
that improve results in cataract and refractive surgery, and the treatment of
progressive eye diseases.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   15
 
     On December 31, 1997, the Company, in a combined purchase of stock and
assets, acquired, for $380 million in cash, Storz Instrument Company, Storz
Ophthalmics, Inc. and Cyanamid Chirurgie S.A.S. (collectively the "Storz
Entities") pursuant to an October 21, 1997 agreement by and among the Company,
American Cyanamid Company ("Cyanamid") and American Home Products Corporation
("AHP"). Storz manufactures and distributes high quality ophthalmic surgical
instruments, surgical and diagnostic equipment, intraocular lens implants and
ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.
 
     The funds used to consummate both of these acquisitions came from the
issuance by the Company of short-term obligations under the Company's commercial
paper program.
 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table represents the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods shown.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
- ---------------------------------------
1997   1996   1995   1994   1993   1992
- ----   ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
<S>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
       4.16   5.46   3.71   7.06   9.31
</TABLE>
 
     For the purpose of this ratio: (i) earnings consist of income before fixed
charges and income taxes for the Company and (ii) fixed charges consist of
interest and debt expense on all indebtedness (without reduction for interest
capitalized) and that portion of rental payments on operating leases estimated
to represent an interest factor for the Company.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
net proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities will be added to the general
funds of the Company and their subsidiaries and will be used for general
corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures, and for
the refinancing of existing short-term indebtedness. The Company may invest the
proceeds in marketable securities prior to their application to such uses. The
approximate amount of such net proceeds will be specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement and will depend upon the type, aggregate principal amount
and initial offering price of the particular series of Debt Securities to be
determined at the time of sale.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities
offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such
general provisions may apply to the Debt Securities so offered will be described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities.
 
     The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
September 1, 1991 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Citibank, N.A., as
Trustee (the "Trustee"), a copy of which is an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the
Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever
particular Sections or defined terms of the Indenture are referred to, such
Sections or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company and will
rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   16
 
     The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities that may be issued thereunder and provides that Debt Securities may
be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms or
additional provisions of the Debt Securities offered at that time (the "Offered
Debt Securities"): (i) the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (ii) any limit
on the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (iii) the
price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at
which the Offered Debt Securities will be issued; (iv) the date or dates on
which the principal of the Offered Debt Securities will be payable; (v) the rate
or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum at which the Offered Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any; (vi) the date or dates from which such
interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities will accrue, the dates on which
such interest, if any, will be payable, the date on which payment of such
interest, if any, will commence and the regular dates for any such interest
payment dates; (vii) any provision relating to the mandatory or optional
redemption of the Offered Debt Securities; (viii) the place or places at which
the Company will make payment of principal of and any premium and interest on
the Offered Debt Securities and the method of such payment; (ix) the person to
whom any interest on any Offered Debt Security will be payable, if other than
the person in whose name that Offered Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor
Debt Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record
Date for such interest; (x) if other than U.S. dollars, the currency (including
composite currencies) in which payment of principal of and any premium and
interest on the Offered Debt Securities shall be payable; (xi) any currency
(including composite currencies) other than the stated currency of the Offered
Debt Securities in which the principal of and any premium and interest on the
Offered Debt Securities may, at the election of the Company or the Holders, be
payable, and the periods within which, and terms and conditions upon which, such
election may be made; (xii) if the amount of payments of principal of and any
premium and interest on the Offered Debt Securities may be determined with
reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(xiii) the right of the Company to defease the Offered Debt Securities or
certain restrictive covenants and certain Events of Default under the Indenture;
(xiv) whether the Offered Debt Securities will be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary for
such Global Security or Global Securities; (xv) any restrictive covenants,
Events of Default, or other terms relating to the Offered Debt Securities in
addition to those described herein; (xvi) any provision for the exchange or
conversion of the Offered Securities for Common Stock and the terms and
conditions of such exchange or conversion; and (xvii) any other specific terms
of the Offered Debt Securities.
 
     Principal and any premium or interest will be payable, and the Debt
Securities will be transferable, at the Place of Payment designated for such
Debt Securities (Sections 305 and 1002); provided that the payment of any
interest may, at the option of the Company, be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears on the Security Register.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto,
the Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. (Section
302) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange
of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section
305) Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue
Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a discount (which may be
substantial) below their stated principal amount. Federal income tax
consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such Original
Issue Discount Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. "Original Issue Discount Security" means any security which
provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and
payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof following the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof. (Section 101)
 
SUBSIDIARIES
 
     The term "Subsidiary" is defined as a corporation more than 50% of the
outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more
other Subsidiaries. The term "Significant Subsidiary" has the meaning specified
in
                                        6
<PAGE>   17
 
Article I, sec.210.1-02(v) of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange
Commission as in effect on September 1, 1991.
 
LIMITATION UPON SECURED DEBT OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES
 
     If the Company or any Significant Subsidiary incurs, issues, assumes,
guarantees or suffers to exist any Debt secured by a Mortgage on any property of
the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or on any shares of stock or Debt of
any Significant Subsidiary, the Company will secure or cause such Significant
Subsidiary to secure the Debt Securities equally and ratably with (or, at the
Company's option, prior to) such secured Debt, for as long as such secured Debt
is so secured, unless the aggregate amount of all such secured Debt plus all
Attributable Debt of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries in respect of
sale and leaseback transactions (other than those exempt under clause (b) under
"Limitation Upon Sale and Leaseback Transactions" below), would not exceed 10%
of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. (Section 1008) This restriction will not
apply to, and there will be excluded from secured Debt in any computation under
such restriction, Debt secured by (a) Mortgages on property of, or on any shares
of stock of or Debt of, any corporation existing at the time such corporation
becomes a Significant Subsidiary, (b) Mortgages in favor of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary, (c) Mortgages in favor of any governmental bodies to
secure progress, advance or other payments, (d) Mortgages on property (including
leasehold estates), shares of stock or Debt existing at the time of acquisition
thereof (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) and purchase
money and construction Mortgages which are created or for which commitments are
received within specified time limits, and (e) within certain limitations, any
extension, renewal or refunding of any Mortgage referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) through (d), inclusive. (Section 1008) "Attributable Debt" means the
total net amount of rent required to be paid during the remaining term of any
lease, discounted at a rate per annum equal to the weighted average interest
rate, or yield to maturity in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security,
borne by all the Outstanding Securities compounded semi-annually. (Section 101)
"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets (less
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities (excluding any thereof constituting Funded
Debt, as defined below, by reason of being renewable or extendable) and (ii) all
goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and
expense and other like intangibles, as set forth on the Company's most recent
consolidated balance sheet. (Section 101)
 
LIMITATION UPON SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
 
     Sale and leaseback transactions (except such transactions involving leases
for less than three years) by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary are
prohibited unless (a) the Company or Significant Subsidiary would be entitled to
incur Debt secured by a Mortgage on the assets to be leased in an amount at
least equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of such transaction without
equally and ratably securing the Debt Securities, or (b) the proceeds of the
sale or transfer of the assets to be leased are at least equal to their fair
market value and, within 120 days after the sale or transfer, the proceeds are
applied to the purchase or acquisition (or, in the case of real property, the
construction) of assets or to the retirement of Funded Debt. (Section 1009)
"Funded Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed having a maturity of more
than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined
or having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being renewable or
extendable beyond 12 months at the option of the borrower. (Section 101)
 
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
 
     The Company may consolidate with, or sell or convey all or substantially
all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other corporation, provided that
in any such case, (i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or
the successor corporation shall be a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the United States of America or a State thereof and such successor
corporation shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal
of and interest on all the Debt Securities, according to their tenor, and the
due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Company, and (ii) the Company
or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after
such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the
 
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<PAGE>   18
 
performance of any such covenant or condition. (Section 801) If, after giving
effect to any such consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
corporation, or after giving effect to any sale or conveyance of the property of
the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other
corporation, the corporation formed by or resulting or surviving therefrom or
which shall have received such property would have outstanding any Debt secured
by any Mortgage on any property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or
any shares of stock or Debt of any Significant Subsidiary, which such Debt could
not at such time be incurred by such corporation under Section 1008 of the
Indenture without equally and ratably securing the Securities, the Company,
prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, will secure the
Securities Outstanding under the Indenture, equally and ratably with (or prior
to) the Debt secured by such Mortgage in the manner described in Section 1008 of
the Indenture. (Section 803)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     With respect to Debt Securities of any series, the following will be Events
of Default under the Indenture: (a) default in the payment of any interest on a
Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (b) default in the
payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) a Debt Security of that Series
when due; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect
of any Debt Security of that series; (d) default in the performance of any other
covenant by the Company (other than a covenant included in the Indenture solely
for the benefit of series of Debt Securities other than that series), continued
for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Trustee
and the Company by Holders of at least 10% of the principal amount of
Outstanding Debt Securities of such series; (e) acceleration of any indebtedness
for money borrowed in excess of $20,000,000 by the Company as the result of a
default under the terms of the instrument under which such indebtedness is or
may be issued, or by which it may be secured or evidenced, if such acceleration
is not rescinded or annulled, or such indebtedness not discharged, within 10
days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Trustee and
the Company by the Holders of at least 10% of the principal amount of
Outstanding Debt Securities of such series; (f) certain events in bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization; and (g) any other Event of Default provided with
respect to Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501) Subject to the
provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee in case an
Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the
request or discretion of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such
provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of such series.
(Section 512)
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall
occur and be continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of
not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that
series may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Debt Securities of
that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the
principal amount of such Debt Securities as may be specified in the terms of
that series) of all of the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable
immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Holders). Upon such declaration, such principal amount (or specified amount),
plus any interest accrued on such Debt Securities to the date of declaration,
shall become immediately due and payable. Upon payment (i) of (A) such principal
amount and (B) such interest and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and
overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest
shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of
the payment of principal of and interest on such Debt Securities shall
terminate. At any time after such declaration of acceleration with respect to
the Debt Securities of any series, but before a judgment or decree based on such
declaration has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series
may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such declaration if all
Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, have
been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture. (Section 502)
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   19
 
     No Holder of any Debt Security will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless
such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default and unless also the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series shall have
made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to
institute such proceeding as trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received
from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of such series a direction inconsistent with such request and
shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days. (Section 507)
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a
Debt Security for enforcement of payment of the principal of or interest on such
Debt Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt
Security. (Section 508)
 
     The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. (Section 1004)
 
MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT OR WAIVER
 
     With certain limited exceptions, modifications and amendments of the
Indenture may not be made by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of
the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of each series affected thereby, provided that without the
consent of each Holder of Debt Securities affected thereby no such modification
or amendment may (1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security; (2) reduce the
principal amount of, or the rate of interest on, or any premium payable upon the
redemption of, any Debt Security; (3) reduce the amount of the principal of an
Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; (4) change the place or
currency of payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any
Debt Security; (5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to any Debt Security on or after the stated maturity
thereof (or redemption date thereof, if applicable); (6) reduce the percentage
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series the consent
of whose Holders is required for any supplemental indenture or waiver provided
for in the Indenture; or (7) modify the foregoing requirements except to
increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the
Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby. (Sections 901 and 902)
 
     Compliance with certain covenants (including those referred to above
relating to restrictions on secured debt and on sales and leasebacks) may be
waived with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, either generally or in
a specific instance, before the time for compliance with such covenants, by the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series. (Section 1010) The Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive any
past default under the Indenture with respect to such series, except a default
in the payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest or a default in
respect of those covenants or provisions of the Indenture which cannot be
modified without the consent of each Holder of Outstanding Securities of such
series affected. (Section 513)
 
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     The Indenture provides that, if provision therefor is made with respect to
the Debt Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture, the
Company may elect either (A) to defease and be discharged from any and all
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities (except from the obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary
or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office
or agency in respect of the Debt Securities and to hold moneys for payment in
trust) ("defeasance") or (B) to be released from its obligations with respect to
such Debt Securities under Sections 501(5), 1008 and 1009 of the Indenture
(being the cross-default provision described in clause (e) under "Events of
Default" and the restrictions described under "Limitation Upon Secured Debt of
the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries" and "Limitation Upon Sale and
Leaseback Transactions",
                                        9
<PAGE>   20
 
respectively) ("covenant defeasance"), upon the deposit with the Trustee (or
other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money and/or U.S.
Government Obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in
accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay
the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities, and any
mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates
therefor. In the case of defeasance, the Holders of such Debt Securities are
entitled to receive payments in respect of such Debt Securities solely from such
trust. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company
has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of Counsel (as specified in the
Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such
opinion, in the case of defeasance under clause (A) above, must refer to and be
based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable
Federal income tax law occurring after the date of the Indenture. (Article
Thirteen)
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     Citibank, N.A. will act as Trustee under the Indenture. Citibank is a
participating lender in the Company's line of credit with a commitment to lend
up to $17,500,000 in five-year term loans and $52,500,000 in short-term loans.
The Company also receives a variety of other banking services from Citibank,
including unconfirmed credit lines, cash management services, foreign currency
trading arrangements, interest rate management and factoring of domestic
accounts receivable. Citibank also provides certain banking services to the
Company's foreign subsidiaries.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Debt Securities through underwriters or dealers,
directly to one or more purchasers, through agents or through a combination of
any such methods of sale. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer
and sale of the Debt Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     The distribution of the Debt Securities may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
 
     In connection with the sale of the Debt Securities, underwriters or agents
may receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of the Debt
Securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the Debt Securities to or
through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions
from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and
agents that participate in the distribution of the Debt Securities may be deemed
to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions
they receive from the Company and any profit on the sale of the Debt Securities
they realize may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified, and any
such compensation received from the Company will be described, in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Any Debt Securities sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be a new
issue of securities with no established trading market. It is possible that one
or more underwriters may make a market in a series of Debt Securities, but will
not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the
trading market for the Debt Securities. Any Common Stock issuable upon exchange
or conversion of any Debt Securities sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement
will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of
issuance.
 
     Underwriters participating in the offering of the Debt Securities may
purchase and sell Debt Securities in the open market. These transactions may
include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   21
 
cover short positions created by such underwriters in connection with the
offering. Such underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling
concessions allowed to broker-dealers in respect of the Debt Securities sold in
the offering may be reclaimed by such underwriters if such Debt Securities are
repurchased by the underwriters in stabilizing transactions. These activities
may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Debt
Securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in
the open market; and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any
time.
 
     Under agreements into which the Company may enter, underwriters, dealers
and agents who participate in the distribution of the Debt Securities may be
entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or be entitled to contribution
with respect to any payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be
required to make in respect of such liabilities.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or
perform other services for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.
 
     In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, the Debt Securities will be sold in such jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the
Debt Securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified
for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or
qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements and financial statement schedules incorporated in
this Prospectus by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 28, 1996 have been so incorporated in reliance on the
reports of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority
of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
                          VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the Debt Securities issued by the
Company and any Common Stock which may be issuable upon the exchange or
conversion of any such Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by
Robert B. Stiles, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company. Mr.
Stiles owns approximately 3,926 shares of the Company's Common Stock and also
has exercisable options to purchase an additional 19,691 shares of the Company's
Common Stock. Pursuant to its By-laws, the Company is required to indemnify Mr.
Stiles to the fullest extent permitted by New York law against any expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding in which he is made party by reason of his being an officer of the
Company. The Company also maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance
under which Mr. Stiles is insured against certain expenses and liabilities.
 
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