In an exclusive conversation with the leadership of Bausch + Lomb (B+L), the editors of Optometric Management and Contact Lens Spectrum were granted a look at what’s in the pipeline for the company.
The company's new approach focuses on creating comprehensive solutions for diverse user needs across different life stages and geographic markets. Yang Yang, global president of Vision Care, explained the strategy: “We want to be different, but that difference needs to be meaningful to patients and our customers. And we want to truly change or upgrade patient’s experience.”
“Bioactive” Contact Lens Material
The centerpiece innovation involves polymerizing hyaluronic acid (HA) directly into the lens backbone. HA is found naturally throughout the body, including the eyes, helping to keep everything hydrated and lubricated. The company’s new lens would also include HA in the lens’ packaging solution, providing patients with a double dose of HA.
Bryan Reed, vice president of Vision Care R&D, described the material's properties: “HA is a molecule that holds a thousand times its weight in water. To put that into perspective, a quarter teaspoon of the material holds a gallon and a half of water.”
Reed noted that because many patients experience contact lens-related dry eye symptoms at the end of the day, these Bioactive lenses would provide a wave of hydration throughout the day and especially at the end of the day, when patients need it most. He added that the material offers high-oxygen permeability without using silicone.
This new HA lens would be the first product Bausch + Lomb launches on this newly created Bioactive contact lens material platform.
A Consistently Comfortable Monthly SiHy Lens
The monthly lens is designed to maintain comfort for “the last day of the month as it is on the first,” noted Yang. B+L plans to provide this by optimizing the lens material to balance oxygen permeability, wettability, and deposit resistance. Additionally, the lens is specifically engineered to seamlessly integrate with the company’s lens care products, allowing patients to recharge their lenses with comfort-enhancing ingredients throughout the month.
Myopia-Control Lens
One other significant product under development addresses myopia management. This lens, B+L executives said, which is specifically designed for children, aims to slow nearsightedness progression through customized optical designs, including multiple zone parameters and a dose-adjustment feature, which tailors the treatment level to each child’s specific prescription.
All 3 offerings are expected to be available between 2028 and 2029. OM