Bausch & Lomb Cuts 400 Temp Jobs

Bausch & Lomb Inc. of Rochester, NY said it is eliminating 400 mostly temporary jobs as it overhauls its contact lens manufacturing operations, according to the Associated Press.
   The eye-care products maker enlarged its temporary work force as it sped up production of its PureVision silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The job cutbacks at plants in Rochester; Waterford, Ireland; and Livingston, Scotland will be made over the next several months because of changing business conditions, the company said.
   While declining to elaborate, spokeswoman Meg Graham said it is “not unusual for the company to adjust the temporary work force based on what our needs are at the time. It gives us flexibility and efficiency.”
   The company, which expects to rehire some of the temporary workers next year, said its contact lens lines are undergoing new designs that use more automated manufacturing technology.
   In May, Bausch & Lomb issued a permanent worldwide recall of ReNu with MoistureLoc, a new-formula lens cleaner, after determining that some of the solution’s components make it more susceptible to contamination by Fusarium keratitis, a rare fungal eye infection.
   Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, the fungus can scar the cornea and blind its victims. Scores of victims have undergone corneal transplants to restore their vision.
   Bausch & Lomb also makes ophthalmic drugs and vision-correction surgical instruments, generating more than $2 billion in annual revenues. It employs 13,700 people.
   Bausch & Lomb shares fell 7 cents to close on Tuesday at $51.21 on the New York Stock Exchange.