Jan. 27, 2016
Bausch + Lomb has expanded its specialty lens business with the addition of Alden Optical Laboratories, Inc., a privately-held company that manufactures premium specialty and custom soft and gas permeable (GP) contact lenses.
Bausch + Lomb says the addition of Alden demonstrates its commitment to addressing ocular conditions such as myopia, and other serious visual challenges including irregular corneas, “by providing a comprehensive portfolio of specialty and custom contact lenses to meet the needs of eyecare providers (ECPs) and their patients.”
The acquisition of Alden was made through an affiliate of Bausch + Lomb.The expanded business, known as Bausch + Lomb Specialty Vision Products (formerly known as Advanced Vision Products, no affiliation with Advanced Vision Technologies, based in Lakewood, Colo.), says it is “dedicated to delivering innovative products, education, and training for ECPs in the specialty and custom contact lens space.”
“We are excited to bring Alden’s strong heritage of a diverse and extensive portfolio of premium specialty lenses, including the Zenlens, a mini-scleral lens, and the NovaKone lenses for keratoconus, into our Vision Care business as part of Bausch + Lomb Specialty Vision Products,” says Mark McKenna, senior vice-president and general manager, Contact Lenses, Bausch + Lomb. “Our companies have a shared vision in serving the needs of practitioners and patients with innovative and high-quality products and exceptional service. Together, we look forward to delivering the benefits of this combination and addressing the vision needs of patients with challenging visual conditions under the Bausch + Lomb Specialty Vision Products division.”
David Bland, director of custom lens business, has worked extensively on Bausch + Lomb’s Boston side of the business since 1988, and will lead the Specialty Vision Products business under McKenna.
Bausch + Lomb says the addition of Alden, coupled with Bausch + Lomb’s other R&D initiatives, will further support and fulfill the growing needs of the GP market by providing ECPs finished contact lenses for serious optical conditions such as keratoconus, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration (PMD), post-refractive surgery, and certain ocular surface diseases.
“We’re pleased that Alden’s portfolio of products has been recognized as exceptional by Bausch + Lomb,” says Charley Creighton, chief executive officer, Alden Optical Laboratories, Inc. “Alden is a natural complement to Bausch + Lomb’s decades of leadership in its line of high quality Boston materials and solutions, especially with Alden receiving full ISO 13485 certification in December confirming our innovative products and services conform to the world-wide standard for quality. We are confident that under their stewardship, the Alden brands will continue to stand for excellence and innovation in eye health.”
Creighton, and Tom Shone, president of Alden Optical Laboratories, Inc., will remain with Bausch + Lomb serving as senior consultants to McKenna and play an integral role in developing the finished lens portion of the business.
“I am pleased that Bausch + Lomb is helping to address the visual needs of patients who require specialized and custom lenses, as there are many who can benefit from what these lenses can offer,” says Lynette K. Johns, OD, clinical attending at the New England Eye Commonwealth, and clinical and educational consultant to Bausch + Lomb Specialty Vision Products. “Often, these patients have debilitating ocular conditions, and it can be very challenging to treat and fit their eyes. As a clinician, it is very important to have access to a wide variety of lens options to effectively manage these unique patients. As an educator, students should also be exposed to a large repertoire of options. All of these efforts contribute to improving the quality of life of our patients.”
As part of the Specialty Vision Products business, Bausch + Lomb will provide substantial investment to expand the training and education programs offered to ECPs and students, and other key programs and initiatives. To support ECP’s custom lens and lens care needs, a team of sales, fitting consultants and specialty lens trainers will be available to provide the latest information on products, training events, and fitting tools and resources available via workshops, webinars, and online tools, to help ECPs meet the specific needs of their patients.
“We are committed to supporting the specialty lens category, to providing education and training, and to investing in research to bring new advancements to market. With the addition of Alden and partnership with the eyecare community, Bausch + Lomb’s Specialty Vision Products business will be able to bring more specialty lenses to more patients, and ensure that together, we are doing our best to help the eyecare community provide excellence in vision care,” says McKenna.
