ROCHESTER, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 11/24/09 -- Bausch & Lomb's World Headquarters in Rochester, N.Y., has earned the Energy Star rating for energy efficiency from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

Commercial buildings earning an Energy Star rating use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon into the atmosphere. The USEPA awards Energy Star ratings to buildings scoring 75 or higher on an energy performance rating scale of 100.

"The Energy Star rating helps demonstrate Bausch & Lomb's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship," said Steve Haupt, director, Corporate Real Estate, Bausch & Lomb. "As part of the application process, Ken Nau and his team from Grubb & Ellis Management Services coordinated a rigorous, externally certified engineering evaluation that included electricity consumption, fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air quality."

The USEPA introduced the Energy Star rating program in 1992 as a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage energy efficiency. The label now appears on more than 50 types of products, many new homes and thousands of commercial and industrial buildings. Additional information is available at www.energystar.gov.

About Bausch & Lomb

Bausch & Lomb is dedicated to bringing visionary ideas to eye health. Its core businesses include contact lenses and lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Founded in 1853, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information is available at www.bausch.com.