Exhibit 24

                          BAUSCH & LOMB


                        POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned directors of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (the
"Company"), each hereby constitutes and appoints William M.
Carpenter and Robert B. Stiles, or either of them, his or her
respective true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full
power and authority to act as such without the other, to sign for
and on behalf of the undersigned the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 1999, to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the related rules and regulations
thereunder, and any amendment or amendments thereto, the
undersigned hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys and agents, or either one of them, shall do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this instrument has been executed by the
undersigned as of this 29th day of February 2000.



/s/ Franklin E. Agnew           /s/ John R. Purcell



/s/ William M. Carpenter        /s/ Linda Johnson Rice



/s/ Domenico De Sole            /s/ Alvin W. Trivelpiece



/s/ Jonathan S. Linen           /s/ William H. Waltrip



/s/ Ruth R. McMullin            /s/ Kenneth L. Wolfe