(Bausch & Lomb Logo)

Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

          The undersigned directors of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (the "Company"), each hereby constitutes and appoints Ronald L. Zarrella 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 29, 2001, 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 26^th day of February 2002.

/s/ Franklin E. Agnew                           Franklin E. Agnew	/s/ Linda Johnson Rice                            Linda Johnson Rice
/s/ Domenico De Sole                            Domenico De Sole	/s/ William H. Waltrip                            William H. Waltrip
/s/ Jonathan S. Linen                             Jonathan S. Linen	/s/ Kenneth L. Wolfe                               Kenneth L. Wolfe
/s/ Ruth R. McMullin                             Ruth R. McMullin	/w/ Ronald L. Zararella                          Ronald L. Zarrella
/s/ John R. Purcell                                 John R. Purcell