Bausch + Lomb acquires J&J's Blink Eye Drops
Bausch + Lomb has purchased the Blink product line of eye and contact lens drops from Johnson & Johnson Vision.
The strategic acquisition is the latest example of the company’s commitment to increasing over-the-counter consumer convenience in eye care, the company said.
“There’s a growing need for relieving the symptoms of dry eyes and dry contact lenses, and OTC products are often the first option consumers choose,” said John Ferris, executive vice president of consumer at Bausch + Lomb. “The addition of Blink expands our robust portfolio of OTC eye care brands, enabling us to provide more choices for consumers and eye care professionals.”
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According to a 2022 Gallup Study, 57% of American adults report suffering from eye dryness, and of them, nearly half (48%) use OTC lubricant drops to obtain relief. The incidence is increasing, with a strong correlation between the amount of time spent on digital devices and reported dry eyes. In addition, contact lens discomfort and contact lens dryness impacts a third of the 45 million contact lens wearers in the United States, the company said.
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The Blink portfolio of eye drops consists of a variety of eye drops and contact lens rewetting drops that provide immediate and long-lasting symptom relief. The products that are part of the acquisition include the following:
- Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops;
- Blink Tears Preservative Free Lubricating Eye Drops;
- Blink GelTears Lubricating Eye Drops;
- Blink Triple Care Lubricating Eye Drops;
- Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops; and
- Blink-N-Clean Lens Drops.
Under the terms of the deal, Bausch + Lomb agreed to acquire the Blink product line for $106.5 million with cash on hand.