SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                      Washington, D.C.  20549
                       _____________________


                              FORM 10-K

           Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                 The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                        _____________________

     For the fiscal year ended          Commission file number
         December 27, 1997                       1-4105

                       BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          NEW YORK                              16-0345235
(State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization                Identification No.)

ONE BAUSCH & LOMB PLACE, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK       14604-2701
  (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone no., including area code:  (716) 338-6000



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     Title of each class                 Name of each exchange on
                                             which registered
 Common Stock, $0.40 par value           New York Stock Exchange



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all 
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months 
(or for such shorter period

                  [Cover page 1 of 2 pages]



that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) 
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 
days.   Yes [ X ]    No___

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers 
pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, 
and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, 
in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this 
Form 10-K.  [ X ]

The aggregate market value (based on the consolidated tape 
closing price on February 24, 1998) of the voting stock held by 
non-affiliates of the registrant was $2,476,057,910.  For the 
sole purpose of making this calculation, the term "non-affiliate" 
has been interpreted to exclude directors and officers.  Such 
interpretation is not intended to be, and should not be construed 
to be, an admission by Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or such 
directors or officers that such directors and officers are 
"affiliates" of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, as that term is 
defined under the Securities Act of 1933.

The number of shares of Voting Stock of the registrant, 
outstanding as of February 24, 1998 was 55,569,003, consisting of 
54,892,225 shares of Common Stock and 676,778 shares of Class B 
stock, which are identical with respect to dividend and 
liquidation rights, and vote together as a single class for all 
purposes.


              DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Parts I and II    The Bausch & Lomb 1997 Annual Report to
                  Shareholders for fiscal year ended December 27,
                  1997 ("Annual Report").  With the exception of
                  the pages of the Annual Report specifically
                  Incorporated by reference herein, the Annual
                  Report is not deemed to be filed as a part of
                  this Report on Form 10-K.

Part III          Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Proxy Statement,
                  dated March 18, 1998 ("Proxy Statement").  With
                  the exception of the pages of the Proxy
                  Statement specifically Incorporated by
                  reference herein, the Proxy Statement is not
                  deemed to be filed as part of this Report on
                  Form 10-K.

                   [Cover page 2 of 2 pages]

  1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I                                           PAGE

Item 1.  Business                                  2

Item 2.  Properties                                5

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings                         7

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of
         Shareholders                              7

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Bausch & Lomb Incorporated's
         Common Stock and Related Shareholder
         Matters                                   8

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data                   8

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
         Financial Condition and Results of
         Operations                                8

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
          About Market Risk                        8

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary
          Data                                     8

Item 9.  Changes In and Disagreements With
         Accountants on Accounting and Financial
         Disclosure                                8

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of
         Bausch & Lomb Incorporated                9

Item 11. Executive Compensation                   10

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
         Owners and Management                    10

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related
         Transactions                             10

PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule,
         and Reports on Form 8-K                  11

Signatures                                        12
Schedules                                        S-1
Exhibit Index                                    E-1
Exhibits      (Attached to this Report on Form 10-K)

  2

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS


(a)  GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

Bausch & Lomb Incorporated is a world leader in the development, 
manufacture and marketing of products that go in or on the eye.

Bausch & Lomb was incorporated in the State of New York in 1908 
to carry on a business which was established in 1853. Its 
principal executive offices are located in Rochester, New York. 
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "Bausch & Lomb" 
and "company" as used herein refer to Bausch & Lomb Incorporated 
and its consolidated subsidiaries. Highlights of the general 
development of the business of Bausch & Lomb during 1997 are 
discussed below.

The year ending December 27, 1997 set the stage for growth as 
significant progress was made in transforming the company from a 
diversified healthcare and optics company to one focused on 
global eye care.  Reported revenues for 1997 were $1,916 million, 
a decrease of $11 million or less than 1% from 1996. Net earnings 
for 1997 amounted to $49 million, or $0.89 per diluted share, 
compared to $83 million or $1.47 per diluted share, reported in 
1996.  Significant operational matters affecting both periods 
included restructuring charges, disposition of non-core 
businesses and litigation charges.

In early 1997, the company's board of directors approved plans to 
further restructure all business segments as well as certain 
corporate administrative functions.  This restructuring effort is 
expected to significantly reduce the company's fixed cost 
structure and realign the organization to meet its strategic 
objectives.  These actions resulted in the recording of pre-tax 
restructuring charges of $72 million in 1997.  The program is 
expected to generate annual pre-tax savings of approximately $100 
million by 1999.  Savings will be generated from projects related 
to the company's manufacturing processes, including plans to 
phase out sunglass component manufacturing at the company's Frame 
Center in Rochester, New York. Savings will also come from 
restructuring administrative functions.  The projects are 
expected to result in improved operating margins, particularly in 
the eyewear business, and greater flexibility to invest in growth 
opportunities.

In April 1997, the company acquired the assets and trademarks of 
the Killer Loop eyewear brands from Benetton Sportsystem of Italy 
in a transaction valued at approximately $43 million.  Prior to 
the acquisition, the company had an exclusive agreement to market 
Killer Loop eyewear products.

The company announced in November 1997 that it had entered into 
an administrative Consent Order with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (SEC), bringing to a close the SEC's three-year 
investigation into certain contact lens and sunglass transactions 
that were improperly recorded as sales for the 1993 fiscal year.  
The company did not admit or deny liability and no fines or 
penalties were imposed.

In a related matter, the company, without admitting any 
liability, agreed to pay $42 million in cash to settle a three-
year-old consolidated shareholder class action suit where it was 
claimed that the company knowingly misrepresented its 1993 
earnings.  The company's insurance carrier will pay a substantial 
portion of the cost of the settlement.  The company recorded a 
pre-tax charge of $21 million in the fourth quarter to cover the 
cost of the proposed settlement.

In December 1997, the company sold its Thin Film Technology 
Division to Applied Image Inc. for $9 million.  There was no 
material gain or loss on the transaction.  The division 
manufactured and applied optical thin film coatings for various 
eyewear, lighting, optical, commercial and industrial 
applications.

In late 1997, the company secured a $900 million 364-day 
revolving credit facility and a $300 million five-year revolving 
credit facility.  These new facilities are being used to support 
borrowings to fund

  3

the acquisitions of Storz and Chiron Vision, 
which were consummated subsequent to fiscal year end and are 
described below, as well as to provide funds for operations of 
the existing businesses.  The interest rate applicable to 
borrowing under the agreements is based on the LIBOR rate, or, at 
the company's option, the higher of several other common indices.  
No debt was outstanding under these agreements at December 27, 
1997.

On December 29, 1997, the company completed the acquisition of 
Chiron Vision Corporation (Chiron Vision), the ophthalmic 
products unit of Chiron Corporation, for $300 million in cash.  
Chiron Vision researches, develops and manufactures innovative 
products that improve results in cataract and refractive surgery, 
and the treatment of progressive eye diseases.

On December 31, 1997, the company also completed the acquisition 
of Storz Instrument Company (Storz), a subsidiary of American 
Home Products Corporation, for $380 million in cash.  Storz is a 
leading international manufacturer and distributor of high 
quality ophthalmic surgical instruments, surgical and diagnostic 
equipment, intraocular lens implants and ophthalmic 
pharmaceuticals.

(b)  FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

Information concerning sales, business segment earnings and 
identifiable assets attributable to each of Bausch & Lomb's 
reportable industry segments is set forth on pages 26-30 and 46-
47 of the Annual Report and are incorporated herein by reference.

(c)  NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Industry Segments.  Bausch & Lomb's operations are classified 
into four industry segments:  vision care, eyewear, 
pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Below is a description of each 
segment and information to the extent that it is material to an 
understanding of the company's business taken as a whole.  
Additional information can be found on pages 8-21 of the Annual 
Report and are incorporated herein by reference.

Vision Care - The vision care segment includes contact lenses and 
lens care products. Vision care products are marketed to licensed 
eye care professionals, pharmaceutical retailers and mass 
merchandisers by the company's own sales force and distributors.

Eyewear - The eyewear segment includes premium-priced sunglasses 
and vision accessories.  Eyewear products are distributed 
worldwide through the company's direct sales force, as well as 
through distributors, wholesalers and manufacturer's 
representatives.  These products are marketed through optical 
stores, sunglass specialty stores, department stores, catalog 
showrooms, mass merchandisers and sporting goods stores.

Pharmaceuticals - The pharmaceuticals segment manufactures and 
sells generic and proprietary prescription pharmaceuticals with a 
strategic emphasis in the ophthalmic field and over-the-counter 
(OTC) medications. These products are marketed by the company's 
sales force and distributed through wholesalers, independent 
pharmacies, drug stores, food stores, mass merchandisers and 
hospitals.

Healthcare - Included in this segment are businesses which 
provide purpose-bred laboratory animals, pathogen-free eggs, 
biomedical products and services, hearing aids and skin care 
products.  Biomedical products are sold through the company's own 
sales force to the scientific research community.  Hearing aids 
are distributed primarily through the Miracle-Ear franchise 
system and company-owned stores.  Skin care products are sold 
through the company's sales force and brokers to drug stores, 
food stores, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs and the military 
class of trade.

Suppliers and Customers.  Materials and components in all four of 
the company's industry segments are purchased from a wide variety 
of suppliers and the loss of any one supplier would not adversely 
affect the company's business to a significant extent. No 
material part of the company's business taken as a whole

  4

is dependent upon a single or a few customers.  However, in the 
eyewear segment approximately 13% of segment sales are 
attributable to Sunglass Hut International and in the vision care 
segment approximately 10% of segment sales are attributable to 
Wal-Mart.

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses.  While in the aggregate the 
company's patents are of material importance to its businesses 
taken as a whole, no single patent or patent license or group of 
patent licenses relating to any particular product or process is 
material to any industry segment. The company actively pursues 
technology development and acquisition as a means to enhance its 
competitive position in its business segments.

In the vision care segment, Bausch & Lomb has developed 
significant consumer and eye care professional recognition of 
products sold under the Bausch & Lomb, ReNu, ReNu MultiPlus, 
Sensitive Eyes, SeeQuence, Medalist, Boston, Optima FW and 
SofLens66 trademarks.  Ray-Ban, Revo, Wayfarer, Arnette and 
Killer Loop are trademarks receiving substantial consumer 
recognition in the eyewear segment.  Bausch & Lomb and Dr. Mann 
Pharma are trademarks receiving substantial consumer recognition 
in the pharmaceuticals segment. In the healthcare segment, 
Miracle-Ear, Mirage, Curel, Soft Sense and Charles River are 
trademarks receiving significant consumer and industry 
professional recognition.

Seasonality and Working Capital.  Some seasonality exists for 
sunglasses in the eyewear segment. The accumulation of 
inventories of such products in advance of expected shipments 
reflects the seasonal nature of the products. In general, the 
working capital practices followed in each of the company's 
industry segments are typical of those businesses.

Competition.  Each industry is highly competitive in both U.S. 
and non-U.S. markets.  In all of its segments, Bausch & Lomb 
competes on the basis of product performance, quality, 
technology, price, service, warranty and reliability.  In the 
eyewear segment, the company also competes on the basis of style.

Research and Development.  Research and development constitutes 
an important part of Bausch & Lomb's activities.  In 1997, the 
company's research and development expenditures totaled $67 
million, as compared to $75 million in 1996 and $66 million in 
1995.

Environment.  Although Bausch & Lomb is unable to predict what 
legislation or regulations may be adopted or enacted in the 
future with respect to environmental protection and waste 
disposal, existing legislation and regulations have had no 
material adverse effect on its capital expenditures, earnings or 
competitive position.  Capital expenditures for property, plant 
and equipment for environmental control facilities were not 
material during 1997 and are not anticipated to be material for 
1998 or 1999.

Year 2000 Software Compliance.  Information regarding the 
identification and resolution of year 2000 data and processing 
issues is set forth on page 36 of the Annual Report and such 
information is incorporated herein by reference.

Number of Employees.  Bausch & Lomb employed approximately 13,000 
persons as of December 27, 1997.

(d)	FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS 
AND EXPORT SALES

Information as to sales, operating earnings and identifiable 
assets attributable to each of Bausch & Lomb's geographic 
regions, and the amount of export sales in the aggregate, is set 
forth on pages 31-32 and 46 of the Annual Report and is 
incorporated herein by reference.

  5

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The principal manufacturing, distribution and production 
facilities and other important physical properties of Bausch & 
Lomb at March 1, 1998 are listed below and are grouped under the 
principal industry segment to which they relate.  Certain 
properties relate to more than one industry segment.  Except 
where otherwise indicated by footnote, all properties shown are 
held in fee and are not subject to major encumbrances.

Eyewear
Manufacturing Plants              Distribution Centers

Beijing, China (2)                San Clemente, CA (2)
Bhiwadi, India                    Sunnyvale, CA (2)
Waterford, Ireland (2)            San Antonio, TX
Rochester, NY (Frame Center)      Richmond Hill, Ontario,
San Antonio, TX                    Canada (2)
New Territories, Hong Kong (2)    Hoofdorp, Netherlands (2)
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico (2)          North Ryde, Australia (2)
Guangzhou, China (2)


Healthcare
Production Facilities

Hollister, CA (2)                 Houston, TX
Lebanon, CT                       Brussels, Belgium
Preston, CT                       St. Constant, Canada
Storrs, CT                        Margate, England
Voluntown, CT                     West Sussex, England
Summerland Key, FL                Lyon, France (2)
Colbert, GA (2)                   St. Aubin-les-Elbeuf, France
Eureka, IL                        St. Germain, France (2)
Roanoke, IL                       Extertal, Germany
Windham, ME                       Kisslegg, Germany
Southbridge, MA (2)               Sulzfeld, Germany
West Brookfield, MA (2)           Calco, Italy
Wilmington, MA                    Atsugi, Japan
Portage, MI                       Hino, Japan
O'Fallon, MO                      Tskuba, Japan (2)
Raleigh, NC                       Tuhuacan, Mexico (2)
Pittsfield, NH                    Someren, Netherlands
Newfield (Lakeview), NJ           Barcelona, Spain (2)
Stone Ridge (Kingston), NY        Uppsala, Sweden (2)
Charleston, SC (2)                Budapest, Hungary (2)
                                  Prague, Czech Republic (2)

Manufacturing Plants              Distribution Centers

Golden Valley, MN (1)             Wilmington, MA (2)
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (2)    Golden Valley, MN (1)
                                  Preston, CT (2)

  6

Pharmaceuticals/Surgical
Manufacturing Plants              Distribution Centers

Tampa, FL                         Tampa, FL
Berlin, Germany                   Bracknell, United Kingdom (2)
Claremont, CA (2)                 Heidelberg, Germany (2)
Irvine, CA
Clearwater, FL
St. Louis, MO
Artarmon, Australia (2)
Lyon, France (2)


Vision Care
Manufacturing Plants              Distribution Centers

Sarasota, FL (1)                  Rochester, NY (Optics Center)
Wilmington, MA (2)                 (1)(2)
Rochester, NY (Optics Center)     Greenville, SC (2)
 (1)(2)                           Lynchburg, VA (2)
Greenville, SC                    Richmond Hill, Ontario,
Porto Alegre, Brazil               Canada (2)
Beijing, China (2)                Guangzhou, China (2)
Bhiwadi, India                    Hoofdorp, Netherlands (2)
Waterford, Ireland (2)            Livingston, Scotland (2)
Milan, Italy
Umsong-Gun (Seoul), Korea
Livingston, Scotland (2)
Barcelona, Spain
Hastings, United Kingdom
Madrid, Spain (2)
North Ryde, Australia (2)


Corporate Facilities

Rochester, NY
  One Bausch & Lomb Place (2)
  Optics Center (1) (2)
  1295 Scottsville Road (2)


(1) This facility is financed under a tax-exempt financing
    agreement
(2) This facility is leased

Bausch & Lomb considers that its facilities are suitable and 
adequate for the operations involved.  All facilities are being 
productively utilized.

  7

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

1.  Since June of 1994, the company has defended several 
shareholder actions against the company, its former Chief 
Executive Officer and Chairman, Daniel E. Gill, and four other 
officers, alleging that the defendants made false and misleading 
statements about expected financial results.   These actions have 
been consolidated in the United States District Court for the 
Western District of New York.  On November 17, 1997, the company 
announced that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding 
with counsel representing the plaintiffs, agreeing to pay $42 
million in full settlement of all claims.  In entering into this 
proposed settlement, the company and the individual defendants 
have continued to deny all liability, but have settled in order 
to avoid the expense and burden of further litigation.  The 
claimants include purchasers of the company's common stock from 
December 13, 1993 through January 25, 1995.  The proposed 
settlement is subject to making appropriate notice to potential 
class members and a review by the Court of the fairness and 
adequacy of the terms of the settlement.  The company's insurance 
carriers have agreed to contribute substantially toward this 
settlement and the company has recorded a one-time charge against 
1997 fourth-quarter earnings of $21 million or $13 million after 
taxes.

2.  Since December 1994, the company has been the subject of an 
investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 
principally focused on the accounting treatment of (i) a 1993 
contact lens sales program and (ii) Asian sunglass sales from 
late 1992 through early 1994.  This investigation was concluded 
when the company, without admitting or denying liability, entered 
into a Consent Order with the SEC, which was announced on 
November 17, 1997.  The Order imposed no financial penalties on 
the company.

3.  The company has stipulated to certification by a New York 
State Supreme Court of a nationwide class of purchasers of 
Sensitive Eyes Rewetting Drops, Boston Rewetting Drops, ReNu 
Rewetting Drops and Bausch & Lomb Eye Wash between May 1, 1989 
and June 30, 1995.  This action arose out of matters commenced in 
1994 and 1995 alleging that the company misled consumers in its 
marketing and sale of those products.  Management vigorously 
defends the company's practices.

4.  In several actions, the company is defending its long-
standing policy of selling contact lenses only to licensed 
professionals against claims that it was adopted in conspiracy 
with others to eliminate alternate channels of trade from the 
disposable contact lens market.  These matters include (i) a 
consolidated action in the United States District Court for the 
Middle District of Florida filed in June 1994 by the Florida 
Attorney General, and now includes claims by the attorneys 
general of 21 other states, and (ii) individual actions pending 
in California and Tennessee state courts.  The company defends 
its policy as a lawfully adopted means of ensuring effective 
distribution of its products and safeguarding consumers' health.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS

Inapplicable.

  8

PART II


ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED'S COMMON
         STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The sections entitled "Dividends" and "Quarterly Stock Prices" 
and table entitled "Selected Financial Data" on pages 34, 37 and 
63, respectively, of the Annual Report are incorporated herein by 
reference.


ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The table entitled "Selected Financial Data" on page 63 of the 
Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The section entitled "Financial Review" on pages 26-36 of the 
Annual Report is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
          RISK

The section entitled "Derivative Financial Instruments" on pages 
42 and 58-59 of the Annual Report is incorporated herein by 
reference.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements, including the notes thereto, together 
with the sections entitled "Report of Independent Accountants" 
and "Quarterly Results" on pages 38-61, 62 and 37 of the Annual 
Report, respectively, are incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
         ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Inapplicable.

  9

PART III


ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED

Information with respect to non-officer directors is included in 
the Proxy Statement on pages 3-7 and such information is 
incorporated herein by reference.  Set forth below are the names, 
ages (as of March 1, 1998), positions and offices held by, and a 
brief account of the business experience during the past five 
years of, each executive officer.

Name and Age                Position
William H. Waltrip (60)     Chairman since January 1997; Chairman
                            and Chief Executive Officer (1996);
                            Chairman of Technology Solutions
                            Company since 1993; Chief Executive
                            Officer, Technology Solutions Company
                            (1993-1995); Chairman and Chief
                            Executive Officer of Biggers
                            Brothers, Inc. (1991-1993).

William M. Carpenter (45)   Chief Executive Officer since January
                            1997; President and Chief Operating
                            Officer (1995-1996); Executive Vice
                            President, Global Business Manager,
                            Eyewear (1995-1996); President and
                            Chief Executive Officer, Reckitt &
                            Colman, Inc. (1994-1995); President
                            and Chief Operating Officer, Reckitt
                            and Colman, Inc. (1992-1994).

Dwain L. Hahs (45)          Executive Vice President and
                            President - Eyewear since April 1997;
                            Senior Vice President, International
                            Operations (1996-1997); Vice
                            President and President Europe,
                            Middle East and Africa Division
                            (1994-1996); Vice President Field
                            Operations Europe, Middle East and
                            Africa Division (1992-1994).

Carl E. Sassano (48)        Executive Vice President and
                            President - Vision Care since January
                            1997; Senior Vice President and
                            Global Business Manager, Vision Care
                            (1996); Global Business Manager,
                            Contact Lens Products (1994-1996);
                            Senior Vice President and President,
                            Contact Lens Division (1994-1996);
                            Senior Vice President and President,
                            Polymer Technology Corporation, a
                            subsidiary of the company (1992-
                            1994).

Daryl M. Dickson (46)       Senior Vice President, Human
                            Resources since November 1996; Vice
                            President Human Resources (Foods
                            group), Quaker Oats Company (1993-
                            1996); Sector Director Organization,
                            Staffing and Development,
                            AlliedSignal Aerospace, AlliedSignal
                            Inc. (1991-1993).

James C. Foster (47)        Senior Vice President since 1994
                            and President and Chief Executive
                            Officer of Charles River
                            Laboratories, Inc., a subsidiary of
                            the company, since 1991; Vice
                            President (1991-1994).

Stephen C. McCluski (45)    Senior Vice President and Chief
                            Financial Officer since 1995; Vice
                            President and Controller (1994);
                            President, Outlook Eyewear Company
                            (1992-1994).

Thomas M. Riedhammer (49)   Senior Vice President and President,
                            Worldwide Pharmaceuticals since
                            February 1998; Senior Vice President
                            and President, Worldwide
                            Pharmaceutical, Surgical, and Hearing
                            Care Products (1994-1998); Vice

  10

                            President (1993-1994); President,
                            Worldwide Pharmaceuticals (1994);
                            President, Pharmaceutical Division
                            (1992-1993).

Robert B. Stiles (48)       Senior Vice President and General
                            Counsel since June 1997; Staff Vice
                            President and Assistant General
                            Counsel (1994-1997); Assistant
                            General Counsel (1991-1994).

Jurij Z. Kushner (47)       Vice President, Controller since
                            1995; Vice President, Operations,
                            Personal Products Division (1994-
                            1995); Vice President and Controller,
                            Personal Products Division (1992-
                            1994).


All officers serve on a year-to-year basis through the day of the 
annual meeting of shareholders of the company, and there is no 
arrangement or understanding among any of the officers of the 
company and any other persons pursuant to which such officer was 
selected as an officer.


ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The portions of the "Executive Compensation" section entitled 
"Report of the Committee on Management", "Compensation Tables" 
and "Defined Benefit Retirement Plans", the second and third 
paragraphs of the section entitled "Board of Directors", the 
graph entitled "Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total 
Shareholder Return" and the second paragraph of the section 
entitled "Related Transactions, Employment Contracts and 
Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements" 
included in the Proxy Statement on pages 10-13, 14-16, 17-18, 1-
2, 16, and 18, respectively, are incorporated herein by 
reference.


ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
          MANAGEMENT

The section entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement on page 8 is 
incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The first paragraph of the section entitled "Related 
Transactions, Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment 
and Change of Control Arrangements" on page 18 of the Proxy 
Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

  11

PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
          FORM 8-K

The following documents or the portions thereof indicated are 
filed as a part of this report.

(a)  INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 
SCHEDULES COVERED BY REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.

     1.  Data incorporated by reference in           Page in
         Item 8 from the Annual Report             Annual Report

         Report of Independent Accountants              62

        Balance Sheet at December 27, 1997 and
        December 28, 1996                               39

        For the years ended December 27, 1997,
        December 28, 1996 and  December 30, 1995:

          Statement of Earnings                         38

          Statement of Cash Flows                       40

          Notes to Financial Statements              41-61


     2.  Filed herewith

         Report of Independent Accountants
         on Financial Statement Schedules       Exhibit 24

         For the years ended December 27, 1997,
         December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995:

         SCHEDULE II- Valuation and Qualifying
         Accounts                                 Page S-1

All other schedules have been omitted because the required 
information is not present or not present in amounts sufficient 
to require submission of the schedule, or because the information 
required is included in the consolidated financial statements or 
the notes thereto.

(b)	REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

Inapplicable.

(c)	ITEM 601 EXHIBITS

Those exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K 
are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the 
exhibits filed herewith and such listing is incorporated herein 
by reference.  Each of Exhibits (10)-a through (10)-w is a 
management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required 
to be filed as an exhibit to this form pursuant to Item 14(c) of 
this report.

  12

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused 
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized.

                                 BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Date:  March 23, 1998            By:/s/William M. Carpenter
                                 William M. Carpenter
                                 President and Chief Executive
                                 Officer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the 
dates indicated.

                                 Principal Executive Officer
Date:  March 23, 1998            By:/s/William M. Carpenter
                                 William M. Carpenter
                                 President and Chief Executive
                                 Officer


                                 Principal Financial Officer
Date:  March 23, 1998            By:/s/ Stephen C. McCluski
                                 Stephen C. McCluski
                                 Senior Vice President and Chief
                                 Financial Officer


                                 Controller
Date:  March 23, 1998            By:/s/ Jurij Z. Kushner
                                 Jurij Z. Kushner
                                 Vice President and Controller


                                 Directors
                                 Franklin E. Agnew
                                 William Balderston III
                                 William M. Carpenter
                                 Domenico De Sole
                                 Jonathan S. Linen
                                 Ruth R. McMullin
                                 John R. Purcell
                                 Linda Johnson Rice
                                 Alvin W. Trivelpiece
                                 William H. Waltrip
                                 Kenneth L. Wolfe

Date:  March 23, 1998            By:/s/Robert B. Stiles
                                 Robert B. Stiles
                                 Attorney-in-Fact



Bausch & Lomb Incorporated

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS


Reserves for Doubtful
Accounts (Dollar        December 27,  December 28,  December 30,
amounts in thousands)          1997          1996          1995

Balance at beginning
of year                 $  13,278     $  11,232     $  16,830

Activity for the year:
  Provision charged to
  income                    4,310         8,556         8,253

  Reductions/(additions)
  resulting from divestiture/
  (acquisition) activity       68          (399)         (821)

  Accounts written off     (5,179)       (6,899)      (10,194)

  Recoveries on accounts
  previously written off    1,538           788           634

  Reclassifications<F1>        --            --        (3,470)
                          ------------------------------------

Balance at end of year    $  14,015   $  13,278     $  11,232
                          ------------------------------------
                          ------------------------------------

[FN]
<F1> Represents reserves related to trade receivables which have 
been reclassified to Notes Receivable.



EXHIBIT INDEX

S-K Item                           Document
601 No

(3)-a        Certificate of Incorporation of Bausch & Lomb 
Incorporated (filed as Exhibit (3)-a to the company's Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1985, 
File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3)-b        Certificate of Amendment of Bausch & Lomb 
Incorporated (filed as Exhibit (3)-b to the company's Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, 
File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3)-c        Certificate of Amendment of Bausch & Lomb 
Incorporated (filed as Exhibit (3)-c to the company's Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1992, 
File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(3)-d        By-Laws of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, as amended, 
effective October 28, 1986 (filed as Exhibit (3)-b to the 
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
December 28, 1986, File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by 
reference).

(4)-a        See Exhibit (3)-a.

(4)-b        See Exhibit (3)-b.

(4)-c        See Exhibit (3)-c.

(4)-d        Form of Indenture, dated as of September 1, 1991, 
between the company and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, with respect 
to the company's Medium-Term Notes (filed as Exhibit 4-(a) to the 
company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42858, 
and incorporated herein by reference).

(4)-e        Rights Agreement between the company and The First 
National Bank of Boston, as successor to Chase Lincoln First 
Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 1 to the company's Current Report on 
Form 8-K dated July 25, 1988, File No. 1-4105, and incorporated 
herein by reference).

(4)-f        Amendment to the Rights Agreement between the 
company and The First National Bank of Boston, as successor to 
Chase Lincoln First Bank, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 1 to the 
company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 31, 1990, File 
No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-a       Change of Control Employment Agreement with certain 
executive officers of the company (filed as Exhibit (10)-a to the 
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
December 29, 1990, File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by 
reference).

(10)-b       Change of Control Employment Agreement with certain 
executive officers of the company (filed as Exhibit (10)-b to the 
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
December 28, 1996, No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by 
reference).

(10)-c       Amended and restated Supplemental Retirement Income 
Plan II (filed as Exhibit (10)-f to the company's Annual Report 
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 1990, File 
No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-d       Supplemental Retirement Income Plan III (filed as 
Exhibit (10)-g to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 26, 1992, File No. 1-4105, and 
incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-e       The 1982 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit III-
F to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 26, 1982, File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein 
by reference).

(10)-f       Amendment to the 1982 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as 
Exhibit (10)-i to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, File No. 1-4105, and 
Incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-g       Amendment to the 1982 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as 
Exhibit (10)-k to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 29, 1990, File No. 1-4105, and 
Incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-h       The 1987 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit I.B 
to the company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-
15439, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-i       Amendment to the 1987 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as 
Exhibit (10)-n to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, File No. 1-4105, and 
Incorporated herein by reference).



(10)-j       Amendment to the 1987 Stock Incentive Plan (filed as 
Exhibit (10)-n to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 29, 1990, File No. 1-4105, and 
Incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-k       Amended and restated 1990 Stock Incentive Plan 
(filed as Exhibit (10)-y to the company's Annual Report on form 
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996, File No. 1-
4105, and Incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-l       Amended and restated Director Deferred Compensation 
Plan (filed as Exhibit (10)-bb to the company's Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996, File No. 
1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-m       Amended and restated Executive Deferred Compensation 
Plan (filed as Exhibit (10)-cc to the company's Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996, File No. 
1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-n       Amended and restated Executive Benefit Plan (filed 
as Exhibit (10)-t to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 29, 1990, File No. 1-4105, and 
Incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-o       Executive Security Program (filed as Exhibit (10)-s 
to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended December 30, 1989, File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein 
by reference).

(10)-p       Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan (filed as 
Exhibit (10)-t to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the fiscal year ended December 28, 1991, File No. 1-4105, and 
incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-q       Annual Retainer Stock Plan for Non-Employee 
Directors (filed as Exhibit (10)-dd to the company's Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996, 
File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-r       Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Bausch & 
Lomb Incorporated and Chiron Corporation (filed as Exhibit 2(a) 
to the company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 
1998, File No. 1-4105, and incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-s       Purchase Agreement by and among American Cyanamid 
Company, American Home Products Corporation and Bausch & Lomb 
Incorporated (filed as Exhibit 2(b) to the company's Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 1998, File No. 1-4105, and 
incorporated herein by reference).

(10)-t       Amended and restated Charles River Laboratories, 
Inc. Executive Life Insurance/Supplemental Retirement Income Plan 
(filed herewith).

(10)-u       Agreement with William H. Waltrip (filed herewith).

(10)-v       Corporate Officer Separation Plan (filed herewith).

(10)-w       EVA Management Incentive Compensation Plan (filed 
herewith).

(11)         Statement Regarding Computation of Per Share 
Earnings (filed herewith).

(12)         Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings 
to Fixed Charges (filed herewith).

(13)         The Bausch & Lomb 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders 
for the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997 (filed herewith).  
With the exception of the pages of the Annual Report specifically 
incorporated by reference herein, the Annual Report is not deemed 
to be filed as a part of this Report on Form 10-K.

(21)         Subsidiaries (filed herewith).

(23)         Report of Independent Accountants on Financial 
Statement Schedules and Consent of Independent Accountants (filed 
herewith).

(24)         Power of attorney with respect to the signatures of 
directors in this Report on Form 10-K (filed herewith).

(27)         Financial Data Schedule (filed herewith).