Bausch + Lomb

History

Year	Detail
1853	Bausch + Lomb was started as an optical goods store in Rochester, New York.
1861	Bausch’s revolutionary Vulcanite eyeglass frames become the ï¬rst great success for the young company.
1875	Bausch + Lomb begins microscope production.
1902	Introduced the Balopticon slide projector.
1936	The company produced the ï¬rst Ray-Ban aviator goggles for military pilots.
1971	Launched SofLens contact lenses.
1981	Launches its first bifocal contact lens.
1983	Acquired Polymer Technology Corp.
1986	Expanded its business into ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.
1996	Bausch + Lomb releases 15 new pharmaceutical products, greatly expanding its pharmaceutical portfolio.
1997	Established a surgical business.
2006	Received FDA clearance for SofLens daily disposable contact lenses.
2008	Acquired Eyeonics.
2012	Bausch + Lomb completes the acquisition of ISTA Pharmaceuticals and adds Bromday.
2013	Introduced Formula eye vitamin and mineral supplement.
2015	Acquired Synergetics USA Inc. and Acrive.
2016	Acquisition of Alden Optical Laboratories.
2019	Multifocal for Astigmatism is launched.
2023	Multifocal daily disposable contact lenses are launched.