Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Exhibit 12 Statement Regarding Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Dollar Amounts In Millions) December 26, December 27, 1998 1997 Earnings before provision of income taxes and minority interests $130.4 $118.0 Fixed charges 102.6 57.9 Capitalized interest, net of current period amortization 0.3 0.3 Total earnings as adjusted $233.3 $176.2 Fixed charges: Interest (including interest expense and capitalized interest) $100.7 $56.1 Portion of rents representative of the interest factor 1.9 1.8 Total fixed charges $102.6 $57.9 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.27<1> 3.04<2> 1 Excluding the effects of restructuring charges, impairment of goodwill and purchased in-process research & development expense and a gain from the sale of the skin care product line recorded in 1998 the ratio of earnings to fixed charges at December 26, 1998 would have been 3.07. 2 Excluding the effects of the restructuring charges recorded in 1997 the ratio of earnings to fixed charges at December 27, 1997 would have been 4.28.