__________________________________________________________________
Corporate Offices One Bausch & Lomb Place 716 338 6010
Rochester NY 14604-2701 Fax 716 338 8706
__________________________________________________________________
BAUSCH
& LOMB
Jean F. Geisel
Corporate Secretary
April 20, 2000
Dear Shareholder:
Bausch & Lomb's transfer agent, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, recently
mailed out proxy materials to our shareholders. We have been notified by
ChaseMellon that as a result of mechanical problems, a number of inaccuracies
occurred in the March 24, 2000 mailing of our proxy materials to you. This
has resulted in some shareholders failing to receive complete proxy
materials. In order to ensure that all shareholders receive the proper proxy
materials, ChaseMellon has agreed to do a second mailing of the proxy
materials. This action is intended to insure that your vote will be counted
at the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 2, 2000.
The material in this second mailing is identical to that which was mailed to
shareholders on March 24, 2000. If you have already received Bausch & Lomb
proxy materials and have completed, signed and returned your proxy card, you
do not need to take any further action. If you did not previously receive
the proxy materials, please complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card
promptly. Please note that if we receive two proxy cards from you, only the
proxy card with the most recent date will be counted. All proxy cards must
be received before the meeting on May 2, 2000 to be counted.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please be
assured that the problems experienced with the mailing do not affect your
shareholder account with Bausch & Lomb in any way.
Please call me at (716) 338-6010 if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
JFG/mb
Enclosures
