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     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), effective as of October 1,
1999, made and entered into by and between WESLEY JESSEN VISIONCARE, INC., a
Delaware corporation, with its principal office located at 333 East Howard
Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60118 (together with its successors and assigns
permitted under this Agreement, "Wesley Jessen" or the Company) and KEVIN J.
RYAN ("Ryan"), an Illinois resident.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Wesley Jessen is appreciative of the past management and
leadership efforts of Ryan, which Wesley Jessen deems to have been essential to
its successful public offering and its outstanding growth in revenue and
profitability, and Wesley Jessen deems his services as Chief Executive Officer
to be necessary for continued growth and profitability in the foreseeable
future; and

     WHEREAS, Wesley Jessen has determined that it is in the best interests of
Wesley Jessen and its stockholders to enter into this Agreement setting forth
the obligations and duties of both Wesley Jessen and Ryan; and

     WHEREAS, Wesley Jessen wishes to assure itself of the services of Ryan for
the period hereinafter provided, and Ryan is willing to be employed by Wesley
Jessen for said period, upon the terms and conditions provided in this
Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, Wesley Jessen and Ryan (individually a "Party"
and together the "Parties") agree as follows:

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1.   DEFINITIONS
     (A) "BASE SALARY" shall mean the annual salary provided for in Section 3
below, as adjusted from time to time by the Board.

     (B) "BENEFICIAL OWNER" shall have the meaning defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act.

     (C) "BENEFICIARY" shall mean the person or persons named by Ryan pursuant
to Section 18 below or, in the event that no such person is named and survives
Ryan, his estate.

     (D)  "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of Wesley Jessen.

     (E)  "CAUSE" shall mean:

     (i) conviction in a court of law of, or a guilty plea or no contest plea
to, a felony charge or a finding by a court or regulatory agency of any direct
act or omission (but excluding supervisory oversights) involving dishonesty,
disloyalty or fraud by Ryan with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries; or

               (ii) a material breach of Section 13 (Confidentiality) or Section

15 (Noncompetition/Nonsolicitation) below.

     (F)  "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean:

               (i) any Person becoming the Beneficial Owner of 30 percent or
more of the combined voting power of Wesley Jessen's then outstanding
securities.

               (ii) a change in the composition of the Board occurring within a
rolling two-year period, as result of which fewer than a majority of the
directors are Incumbent Directors ("Incumbent Directors" shall mean directors
who either (x) are members of the Board as of the date of this Agreement or (y)
are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes
of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election
or nomination, but shall not include an individual not otherwise an Incumbent
Director whose

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election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy
contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the
election of directors to the Board); or

               (iii) consummation, in any transaction or series of transactions,
of a complete liquidation or dissolution of Wesley Jessen or a merger,
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of Wesley Jessen's assets
(collectively, a "Business Combination") other than a Business Combination after
which (x) the stockholders of Wesley Jessen own more than 70 percent of the
combined voting power of the voting securities of the company resulting from the
Business Combination, (y) at least a majority of the board of directors of the
resulting corporation were Incumbent Directors or (z) no individual, entity or
group (excluding any corporation resulting from the Business Combination or any
employee benefit plan of such corporation or of Wesley Jessen) becomes the
Beneficial Owner of 30 percent or more of the combined voting power of the
securities of the resulting corporation, who did not own such securities
immediately before the Business Combination.

     (G) "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to
time amended.

     (H)  "COMMITTEE" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.

     (I) "CONSULTING PERIOD" shall mean the period specified in Section 12 below
during which Ryan serves as a consultant to Wesley Jessen.

     (J) "COVENANT PERIOD" shall mean the period beginning with commencement of
the Term and ending as provided in Section 15(b).

     (K) "DATE OF TERMINATION" shall mean, with respect to any purported
termination of Ryan's employment during the Term:

               (i) if Ryan's employment terminates by reason of Disability, the
applicable date specified in Section 1(l); and

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               (ii) if Ryan's employment terminates for any other reason, the
date specified in the Notice of Termination (which shall be not less than 30
days and, in the case of voluntary termination by Ryan as provided in Section
10(g), not more than 90 days, after the date of such Notice of Termination).

     (L) "DISABILITY" shall mean any physical or mental incapacity that results
in Ryan's inability to perform substantially his duties and responsibilities for
Wesley Jessen (i) during the Term of Employment for six consecutive months, as
determined by the Board in its good-faith judgment, which shall be deemed to
have occurred on the last day of the six-month period of such inability to
perform and (ii) during the Consulting Period as determined by a competent
physician acceptable to the Board and effective upon 30 days' notice to Ryan or
the Board, as the case may be.

     (M) "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from
time to time amended.

     (N) "GOOD REASON" shall mean the occurrence (without Ryan's prior written
consent or his acquiescence) of any one of the following acts or omissions by
Wesley Jessen unless, in the case of any act or omission described in paragraph
(i), (iii), (v) or (vi) of this Section 1(n), such act or omission is corrected
by Wesley Jessen prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of
Termination in respect thereof:

                (i) assignment to Ryan of any duties inconsistent with his role
as Chief Executive Officer and President of Wesley Jessen or a successor
company, failure to maintain him in the position of Chief Executive Officer and
reporting relationship set forth in Section 2(c)(i) below or a substantial
adverse alteration in the nature of his authority or responsibilities under this
Agreement;

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                (ii) reduction by Wesley Jessen in Ryan's Base Salary, in effect
on the date of this Agreement or as the same may be increased from time to time,
except for across-the-board salary reductions similarly affecting all senior
executives of Wesley Jessen or of any Person in control of Wesley Jessen;

                (iii) reduction or other adverse changes in the bonus
opportunity available to Ryan (with respect to the level of bonus opportunity,
the applicable performance criteria and otherwise the manner in which bonuses
are determined) in the aggregate from those available as of the date of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 4(a) below, excluding changes resulting
from material adverse changes in the financial condition of Wesley Jessen;

                (iv) Wesley Jessen's failure to pay Ryan any amounts otherwise
vested and due him hereunder or under any plan or policy of Wesley Jessen;

                (v) relocation of Wesley Jessen's principal executive offices to
a location more than 50 miles from the location of such offices on the date of
this Agreement or a requirement that Ryan be based anywhere other than at Wesley
Jessen's principal executive offices except for necessary travel on Wesley
Jessen's business to an extent substantially consistent with Ryan's business
travel obligations on the date of this Agreement; or

                (vi) failure by Wesley Jessen to continue to provide Ryan with
     benefits substantially similar to those enjoyed by him under any of the
     plans described in Section 9 below in which he was a participant at the
     time of any such failure.

     (O) "NOTICE OF TERMINATION" shall mean delivery of written notice by one
Party and receipt thereof by the other Party in accordance with Section 28
below, which notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Ryan's employment
hereunder.

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     (P) "PERSON" shall have the meaning defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the
Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof,
including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d); provided, however, that a
Person shall not include:

                (i)  Wesley Jessen or any Subsidiary;

                (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of Wesley Jessen or any Subsidiary;

                (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to
an offering of such securities;

                (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of Wesley Jessen in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership of stock of Wesley Jessen; or

                (v) any existing stockholders of Wesley Jessen on the effective
date of this Agreement.

     (Q)  "SPOUSE" shall mean, during the Term of Employment and any Consulting
Period, the woman who as of any relevant date is legally married to Ryan.

     (R) "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a corporation of which Wesley Jessen owns
directly or indirectly more than 50 percent of its outstanding securities
representing the right, other than as affected by events of default, to vote for
the election of directors.

     (S) "TERM OF EMPLOYMENT" or "TERM" shall mean the period specified in
Section 2(b) below.

2.  TERM OF EMPLOYMENT, POSITIONS AND DUTIES.

     (A) EMPLOYMENT OF RYAN. Wesley Jessen hereby continues to employ Ryan, and
Ryan hereby accepts continued employment with Wesley Jessen, in the positions
and with

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the duties and responsibilities set forth below and upon such other terms and
conditions as are hereinafter stated.

     (B) TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. The Term of Employment shall be five years,
commencing on the date of this Agreement and terminating on September 30, 2004;
provided, however, that, at the end of each 12-month period after the date
hereof, unless either Party gives Notice of Termination to the other, the Term
shall thereafter extend automatically for an additional 12-month period but in
no event shall the Term of Employment extend beyond September 30, 2012.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ryan's employment may be sooner terminated as
provided in Section 10 below.

     (C)  TITLE, DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES.

               (i) Until termination of his employment hereunder, Ryan shall be
employed as Chief Executive Officer and President of Wesley Jessen, reporting to
the Board and subject to its overall direction and authority, with all the
authorities and responsibilities that normally accrue to the position of chief
executive officer, and shall hold such other titles as the Board may grant; and

               (ii) Consistent with its obligations to stockholders or unless
otherwise directed by the Incumbent Directors, Wesley Jessen agrees to use its
best efforts to procure the election of Ryan as a member of and Chairman of the
Board and to ensure Ryan's re-election to that position during the Term.

               (iii) Upon termination of his employment, Ryan shall resign as a
direct or of Wesley Jessen and its subsidiaries, as the case may be.

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     (D) TIME AND EFFORT.

               (i) Ryan agrees to devote his best efforts and abilities and his
full business time and attention to the business and affairs of Wesley Jessen
and its Subsidiaries in order to carry out and perform faithfully his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement.

               (ii) Nothing in this Section 2(d) shall preclude Ryan from:

                    (A) serving on the boards of a reasonable number of trade
associations and charitable organizations or on the board of any business not in
competition with Wesley Jessen;

                    (B) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs;
or

                    (C) managing his personal investments and affairs; provided,
however, that any such activities do not materially interfere with the proper
performance of his duties and responsibilities referenced in Section 2(c) above.


3.  BASE SALARY.

          Ryan shall receive from Wesley Jessen an initial Base Salary, payable
in accordance with the regular payroll practices of Wesley Jessen, of $500,000.
During the Term of Employment, the Board shall review the Base Salary for
increase no less often than annually as of the beginning of each calendar year
after 2000.

4.  ANNUAL BONUS.

     (A) ENTITLEMENT. Each calendar year during the Term of Employment, Ryan
shall be eligible to participate in Wesley Jessen's Professional Incentive Plan
and/or any other annual incentive plan established by Wesley Jessen either for
Ryan alone or for members of Wesley Jessen's senior management generally.

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     (B) PAYMENT. Any annual bonus shall be payable as soon as reasonably
practicable after the completion of Wesley Jessen's audited financial statements
for such calendar year, prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and normally no later than 120 days after the end of the
calendar year.

5.  LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION.

          During the Term of Employment, Ryan shall be eligible to participate
in any long-term incentive plan established by Wesley Jessen either for Ryan
alone or for members of Wesley Jessen's senior management generally.

6.  EQUITY OPPORTUNITY.

          During the Term of Employment, Ryan shall be eligible to receive
grants of options to purchase shares of Wesley Jessen's stock and awards of
shares of Wesley Jessen's stock, either or both as determined by the Committee,
under and in accordance with the terms of applicable plans of Wesley Jessen and
related option and award agreements. Also, to the extent permitted by any such
plan, Ryan shall be eligible during any Consulting Period to receive grants of
options and awards of shares of Wesley Jessen's stock in the same manner.

7.  EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.

          Ryan shall be entitled to prompt reimbursement by Wesley Jessen for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him during the Term of
Employment and any Consulting Period in performing services under this
Agreement, upon his submission of such accounts and records as may be reasonably
required by Wesley Jessen.

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8.  PERQUISITES.

     (a) TERM OF EMPLOYMENT. During the Term of Employment, Wesley Jessen shall
provide Ryan with the following perquisites:

               (i) an office of a size and with furnishings and other
appointments, and exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least
equal to that provided to Ryan by Wesley Jessen as of the date of this
Agreement.

                (ii) payment of club dues, use of an automobile and payment of
related expenses and provision of tax and financial planning services, all on
the same terms as in effect on the date hereof or, if more favorable to Ryan, as
made available generally to other executive officers of Wesley Jessen and its
Subsidiaries at any time thereafter.

     (b) CONSULTING PERIOD. During any Consulting Period, Wesley Jessen shall
provide Ryan with an appropriate office and administrative support consistent
with his prior executive status, shall continue the payment of club dues and the
provision of tax and financial planning services on the same terms as in effect
on the date hereof or, if more favorable to Ryan, as made available generally to
other executive officers of Wesley Jessen and its Subsidiaries during the Term,
and shall reimburse Ryan for reasonable expenses related to his duties.

9.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

     (A) GENERAL. During the Term of Employment, Ryan shall be entitled to
participate in all employee benefit plans and programs made available to Wesley
Jessen's senior executives or to its employees generally, as such plans or
programs may be in effect from time to time, including, without limitation,
pension and other retirement plans, profit-sharing plans, savings and similar
plans, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance,
travel accident insurance, hospitalization insurance, surgical insurance, major
and excess major

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medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term and long-term disability
insurance, sick leave (including salary continuation arrangements), holidays,
vacation and any other employee benefit plans or programs that may be sponsored
by Wesley Jessen from time to time, including plans that supplement the above-
listed types of plans, whether funded or unfunded.

     (B) MEDICAL CARE REIMBURSEMENT INSURANCE. During the Term of Employment and
any Consulting Period, Wesley Jessen shall reimburse Ryan for 100 percent of any
medical expenses incurred by him for himself or his Spouse that are not
reimbursed by insurance or otherwise, offset by any amounts that are
reimbursable by Medicare if Ryan and his Spouse, when eligible, elect to be
covered by Medicare. Wesley Jessen shall provide Ryan and his Spouse during his
lifetime with hospitalization insurance, surgical insurance, major and excess
major medical insurance and dental insurance in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of Wesley Jessen and its
Subsidiaries as in effect from time to time.

     (C) LIFE INSURANCE BENEFIT. In addition to the group business travel and
accidental death and dismemberment insurance available to senior-level employees
generally, Wesley Jessen shall provide Ryan with an individual permanent life
insurance benefit in an initial amount of approximately $5 million to the extent
that such insurance is obtainable at a reasonable cost, not in any event to
exceed the applicable Table D rate. The terms and conditions of any such benefit
shall be as more fully described in an insurance ownership agreement between
Wesley Jessen and Ryan.

     (D) DISABILITY BENEFIT. In consideration of the benefit payable to Ryan in
the event of termination of his employment by reason of Disability, as provided
in Section 10(d) below, or, if applicable, in the event of termination of Ryan's
consulting services by reason of Disability during the Consulting Period, as
provided in Section 12(d) below, Wesley Jessen shall

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not be obligated to provide Ryan with long-term disability insurance. If Wesley
Jessen elects to provide Ryan with such insurance, he shall be the owner of any
individual policies obtained and shall pay the premiums thereon; provided,
however, that Wesley Jessen shall reimburse Ryan for any premiums that he pays.

     (E) RETIREMENT BENEFIT. Ryan shall be entitled to the benefits provided
under Wesley Jessen's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP")
established as of the date of this Agreement. If Wesley Jessen fails to maintain
the SERP in accordance with the terms thereof, it shall provide Ryan with a
retirement benefit determined as if the SERP had remained in effect until
termination of his employment with Wesley Jessen by retirement at age 72. This
retirement benefit is in addition to the benefits provided under this Agreement,
and no modification, amendment or termination of this Agreement shall affect
Ryan's rights under the SERP as in effect on the date hereof or, if more
favorable to Ryan, as in effect at any time thereafter.

10.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

     (A) GENERAL. In addition to payments and benefits under, or except as
specifically provided in subsections (b) through (h) below as applicable, in the
event of termination of Ryan's employment under this Agreement for any reason
whatsoever, he, his dependents or his Beneficiary, as the case may be, shall be
entitled to receive:

              (i)  his Base Salary through the Date of Termination;

              (ii) payment in lieu of any unused vacation, in accordance with
Wesley Jessen's vacation policy and applicable laws;

              (iii) any annual bonus earned but not yet paid to him for any
calendar year prior to the year in which his termination occurs;

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              (iv) any deferred compensation under any incentive compensation
plan of Wesley Jessen or any deferred compensation agreement then in effect;

              (v) any other compensation or benefits, including without
limitation long-term incentive compensation described in Section 5 above,
benefits under equity grants and awards described in Section 6 above and
employee benefits under plans described in Section 9 above, that have vested
through the Date of Termination or to which he may then be entitled in
accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of each grant, award or
plan; and

              (vi) reimbursement in accordance with Sections 7 and 9(b) above of
any business and medical expenses incurred by Ryan or his Spouse, as applicable,
through the Date of Termination but not yet paid to him.

    (B) TERMINATION BY REASON OF RETIREMENT. In the event that Ryan's employment
terminates by reason of his retirement upon or after his attainment of age 65,
he shall be entitled, in addition to the compensation and benefits specified in
Section 10(a), to the benefit provided under the SERP, in accordance with
Section 9(e) above. Any voluntary termination by Ryan of his employment without
Good Reason after he reaches age 65, in accordance with the notice provisions of
Section 10(g) below, shall be considered a termination by reason of retirement.

    (C) TERMINATION BY REASON OF DEATH. In the event that Ryan's employment
terminates by reason of his death, his Beneficiary shall be entitled, in
addition to the compensation and benefits specified in Section 10(a), to:

              (i) his Base Salary, at the rate in effect on the date of his
death, through the end of the month following the month in which his death
occurs; and

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              (ii) an annual bonus under Wesley Jessen's Professional Incentive
Plan (and/or any other applicable annual incentive plan of Wesley Jessen)
prorated to the date of death, for the year in which his death occurs.

    (D) TERMINATION BY REASON OF DISABILITY. In the event that Ryan's employment
terminates by reason of Disability, he or his Beneficiary, as the case may be,
shall be entitled, in addition to the compensation and benefits specified in
Section 10(a) to:

              (i) an annual bonus under Wesley Jessen's Professional Incentive
Plan (and/or any other applicable annual incentive plan of Wesley Jessen),
prorated to the Date of Termination, for the year in which his termination by
reason of Disability occurs; and

              (ii) the retirement benefit under the SERP to which Ryan would be
entitled upon termination of his employment with Wesley Jessen by reason of
Disability, payable as provided in the SERP, in accordance with Section 9(e)
above.

    (E) TERMINATION BY WESLEY JESSEN FOR CAUSE. In the event that Wesley Jessen
terminates Ryan's employment for Cause, he shall be entitled only to the
compensation and benefits specified in Section 10(a), excepting from such
entitlement the lifetime medical benefits described in Section 9(b) above.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination for Cause may not occur
pursuant to clause (ii) of Section 1(e) above unless and until, with the Board's
prior approval, Wesley Jessen has delivered to Ryan Notice of Termination, which
shall contain in reasonable detail the facts purporting to constitute the
alleged breach of Section 13 or Section 15 below, as applicable, and afforded
him 30 days thereafter to respond in writing to the Board setting forth his
position that his termination for Cause should not occur and requesting
reconsideration by the Board, in which event (x) the Date of Termination shall
be deferred until the Board has had the opportunity to consider any request by
Ryan for reconsideration, and (y) the Board shall

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thereafter cause a written notice to be delivered on its behalf to Ryan either
rescinding its determination to terminate his employment for Cause or affirming
its determination to terminate his employment for Cause and setting the Date of
Termination, which shall be not earlier than 15 days after such Notice is given.
Section 1(n)(i) to the contrary notwithstanding, upon delivery to Ryan of Notice
of Termination under this Section 10(e), Ryan shall be suspended from all duties
and responsibilities unless and until the Board rescinds its determination to
terminate his employment for Cause; provided, however, that pending resolution
of any dispute between the Parties, benefits and payments to him under this
Agreement shall continue as provided in Section 27(c) below.

    (F) TERMINATION BY WESLEY JESSEN WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY RYAN FOR GOOD REASON.

              (i) Termination without Cause shall mean termination of Ryan's
employment by Wesley Jessen, excluding termination (A) by reason of retirement,
death or Disability, (B) for Cause or (C) by Ryan voluntarily before age 65.

              (ii) Wesley Jessen shall provide Ryan 30 days' Notice of
Termination without Cause, and Ryan shall provide Wesley Jessen 30 days' Notice
of Termination for Good Reason.

              (iii) In the event of termination by Wesley Jessen of Ryan's
employment without Cause or of termination by Ryan of his employment for Good
Reason, he shall be entitled, in addition to the compensation and benefits
specified in Section 10(a), to:

                   (A) his Base Salary, payable for the remainder of the Term
of Employment at the rate in effect immediately before such termination;

                   (B) annual bonuses for the remainder of the Term (including a
prorated bonus for any partial calendar year) equal to the average of the three
highest annual

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bonuses awarded to him during the ten years preceding the year of termination,
such bonuses to be paid at the same time annual bonuses are regularly paid by
Wesley Jessen to Ryan;

                   (C) continued medical reimbursement for the remainder of the
Term and thereafter the lifetime medical benefits described in Section 9(b)
above;

                   (D) commencing at the end of the remainder of the Term, the
retirement benefit under the SERP to which Ryan would be entitled upon
termination of his employment with Wesley Jessen without Cause or for Good
Reason, payable as provided in the SERP, in accordance with Section 9(e) above;

                   (E) continued participation in all employee benefit plans or
programs available to Wesley Jessen employees generally in which Ryan was
participating on the Date of Termination for the remainder of the Term;
provided; however, that if Ryan is precluded from continuing his participation
in any employee benefit plan or program as provided in this clause (E), he shall
be entitled to the after-tax economic equivalent of the benefits under the plan
or program in which he is unable to participate until the end of the Term (such
economic equivalent of any benefit foregone being deemed the lowest cost that
Ryan would incur in obtaining such benefit on an individual basis); and

                   (F) other benefits in accordance with applicable plans and
programs of Wesley Jessen.

              (iv) Prior written consent by Ryan to any of the events described
in Section 1(n) above shall be deemed a waiver by him of his right to terminate
for Good Reason under this Section 10(f) solely by reason of the events set
forth in such waiver.

     (G) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY RYAN. Upon not more than 90 days' Notice of
Termination, Ryan shall have the right, with the consent of the Board, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, voluntarily to terminate his employment
without Good Reason. In the

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event that Ryan gives such Notice, his employment shall cease as of the date
stated therein. If on that date:

              (i) Ryan has not yet attained age 65, he shall be entitled only to
receive compensation and benefits as if Wesley Jessen had terminated his
employment for Cause, as provided in Section 10(e).

              (ii) Ryan has attained age 65, he shall be entitled to receive
compensation and benefits as if his employment with Wesley Jessen had terminated
by reason of retirement, as provided in Section 10(b).

     (H) TERMINATION BY WESLEY JESSEN WITHOUT CAUSE OR BY RYAN FOR GOOD REASON
FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of termination of Ryan's employment
within one year following a Change in Control either by Wesley Jessen without
Cause or by Ryan for Good Reason, but prior to Ryan's attainment of age 72, he
shall be entitled, in addition to the compensation and benefits specified in
Section 10(a), to the following in lieu of the amounts specified in Section
10(f)(iii):

              (i) the benefits specified in Section 10(f)(iii)(C) and (E);

              (ii) the SERP benefit, specified in Section 10(f)(iii)(D),
determined as if Ryan's employment with Wesley Jessen had continued until his
retirement at age 72, with payment commencing on the first day of the month next
following payment to him in a lump sum, in accordance with Section 10(h)(iii),
of the amount of Base Salary specified in Section 10(f)(iii)(A);

              (iii)  the present value of the amounts specified in Section
10(f)(iii)(A) and (B), payable to him in a cash lump sum not later than five
business days after the Date of Termination; and

              (iv) the additional rights specified in Section 10(f)(iii)(C),
(D) and (E).

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     (i) Determination of Amounts of Payments. If Wesley Jessen's independent
auditors determine that the amount due Ryan under this Agreement or otherwise
will exceed the amount permissible under Code Section 280G without imposition of
the excise tax imposed by Code Section 4999 (the "280G Limit"), they shall then
determine (i) the after-tax amount and (ii) the 280G Limit. Wesley Jessen shall
then pay the greater of those two amounts to Ryan in lieu of the amount due Ryan
under Section 10(h). No such reduction shall occur unless Ryan will receive a
greater after-tax benefit by reason of the reduced payment.

     (J) CESSATION OF PAYMENTS. If, during or after the Term, Ryan commits a
breach of Section 13 or Section 15 below, Wesley Jessen shall have no further
obligation to make payments to him under this Agreement except as may be
required in accordance with Section 10(a).

     (K) OFFSET. In making any payments under this Agreement, Wesley Jessen may
offset any amounts Ryan owes to it or its Subsidiaries against any amount Wesley
Jessen owes to Ryan.

     (l) Notice Requirements. Except by reason of death, any purported
termination of Ryan's employment that is not effected pursuant to Notice of
Termination satisfying the requirements of Sections 1(k) and 1(o) above and
Section 28 below shall not be effective for purposes of this Agreement.

11.  NO DUTY TO MITIGATE.

          Ryan shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any
payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or
otherwise, nor will any payment hereunder be subject to offset in the event that
Ryan does receive compensation for services from any other source.

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12.  CONSULTING PERIOD.

     (A)  GENERAL. Effective upon termination of Ryan's employment, unless
termination was:
              (i) by reason of Ryan's death or Disability,

              (ii) by Wesley Jessen for Cause, or

              (iii) by Ryan without Good Reason before age 65, Ryan shall become
a consultant to Wesley Jessen, in recognition of the continued value to Wesley
Jessen of his extensive knowledge and expertise. Unless earlier terminated, as
provided in Section 12(e), the Consulting Period shall continue for five years.

    (B)  DUTIES AND EXTENT OF SERVICES.

              (i) During the Consulting Period, Ryan shall consult with Wesley
Jessen and its senior executive officers regarding its respective businesses and
operations. Such consulting services shall not require more than 50 days in any
calendar year, nor more than one day in any week, it being understood and agreed
that during the Consulting Period Ryan shall have the right, consistent with the
prohibitions of Sections 13 and 15 below, to engage in full-time or part-time
employment with any business enterprise that is not a competitor of Wesley
Jessen.

              (ii) Ryan's service as consultant shall only be required at such
times and such places as shall not result in unreasonable inconvenience to him.
In order to minimize interference with Ryan's other commitments, his consulting
services may be rendered by personal consultation at his residence or office
wherever maintained, or by correspondence through mail, telephone, fax or other
similar mode of communication at times, including weekends and evenings, most
convenient to him.

                                       19
<PAGE>

              (iii) During the Consulting Period, Ryan shall not be obligated to
serve as a member of the Board or to occupy any office on behalf of Wesley
Jessen or any of its Subsidiaries.

    (C) COMPENSATION. During the Consulting Period, Ryan shall receive from
Wesley Jessen each year an amount equivalent to the applicable percentage of his
Base Salary upon termination of his employment, as follows:


                       Year   Percentage of Base Salary
                       ------  -------------------------
                         1               100
                         2               90
                         3               80
                         4               70
                         5               60

    (D) DISABILITY. In the event of Disability during the Consulting Period,
Wesley Jessen or Ryan may terminate Ryan's consulting services. If Ryan's
consulting services terminate by reason of Disability, he shall be entitled to
compensation, in accordance with Section 12(c), for the remainder of the
Consulting Period.

    (E) TERMINATION. The Consulting Period shall terminate after five years or,
if earlier, upon Ryan's death or upon his failure to perform consulting services
as provided in Section 12(b), pursuant to 30 days' written notice by Wesley
Jessen to Ryan of the grounds constituting such failure and reasonable
opportunity afforded Ryan to cure the alleged failure. Upon any such
termination, payment of consulting fees and benefits (with the exception of
lifetime medical benefits under Section 9(b) above) shall cease.

    (F) OTHER. During the Consulting Period, Ryan shall be entitled to expense
reimbursement (including secretarial, telephone and similar support services)
and perquisites and medical benefits, pursuant to the terms of Sections 7, 8 and
9(b), respectively. Wesley Jessen shall also extend to Ryan group business
travel and accidental death and dismemberment

                                       20
<PAGE>

insurance equivalent to the coverage he received as a senior-level employee in
accordance with Section 9(c) above.

    (G) ASSIGNMENT. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
Ryan may assign his rights under this Section 12 to a corporation or
partnership; provided, however, that he shall remain obligated to perform
personally the consulting services specified in Section 12(b).

13.         CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
    (A)  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Ryan acknowledges that:

              (i) As a result of his employment with Wesley Jessen, Ryan has
obtained and will obtain secret and confidential information concerning the
business of Wesley Jessen and its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation,
the identity of customers and sources of supply, their needs and requirements,
the nature and extent of contracts with them, and related cost, price and sales
information;

              (ii) Wesley Jessen and its Subsidiaries will suffer damage that
will be difficult to compute if, during the Term of Employment and any
Consulting Period or thereafter, Ryan should divulge secret and confidential
information relating to the business of Wesley Jessen heretofore or hereafter
acquired by him in the course of his employment with Wesley Jessen or any of its
Subsidiaries; and

             (iii) The provisions of this Section 13 are reasonable and
necessary for the protection of the business of Wesley Jessen and its
Subsidiaries.

    (B) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Ryan agrees that he will not at any time,
either during the Term of Employment and any Consulting Period or thereafter,
divulge to any person, firm or corporation any information obtained or learned
by him during the course of his

                                       21
<PAGE>

employment with Wesley Jessen or any of its Subsidiaries, with regard to the
operational, financial, business or other affairs of Wesley Jessen or its
Subsidiaries, their officers and directors, including, without limitation, trade
"know how," secrets, customer lists, sources of supply, pricing policies,
operational methods or technical processes, except:

              (i) as necessary and appropriate in the course of performing his
duties hereunder;

              (ii) with Wesley Jessen's express written consent;

              (iii) to the extent that any such information is in the public
domain, is ascertainable from public or published information or is known to any
person who is not subject to a contractual or fiduciary obligation owed to
Wesley Jessen not to disclose such information, in each case other than as a
result of Ryan's breach of any of his obligations hereunder; or

              (iv) when required to be disclosed by court order, subpoena or
other government process.

          In the event that Ryan shall be required to make disclosure pursuant
to the provisions of clause (iv) of the preceding sentence, he shall promptly,
but in no event more than 48 hours after learning of such court order, subpoena
or other government process, notify Wesley Jessen by personal delivery or by
facsimile, confirmed by mail. Further, at Wesley Jessen's written request and
expense, Ryan shall (i) take all reasonably necessary steps requested by Wesley
Jessen to defend against the enforcement of such court order, subpoena or other
government process and (ii) permit Wesley Jessen to intervene and participate
with counsel of its choice in any proceeding relating to the enforcement
thereof.

    (C) RETURN OF DOCUMENTS AND PROPERTY. Upon termination of his employment
with Wesley Jessen and any Consulting Period, or otherwise at any time Wesley
Jessen may so request, Ryan shall promptly deliver to Wesley Jessen all files,
memoranda, notes,

                                       22
<PAGE>

records, reports, manuals, data, drawings, blueprints and other documents and
information (and all copies thereof) relating to the business of Wesley Jessen
and its Subsidiaries, and all property associated therewith, that are then in
his possession or under his control.

    (D) REMEDIES AND SANCTIONS. In the event that Ryan is found to be in
violation of Section 13(b) or (c), Wesley Jessen shall be entitled to relief as
provided in Section 16 below.

14.  INVENTIONS AND PATENTS.

          Ryan acknowledges that all inventions, innovations, improvements,
developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports and all similar or
related information (whether or not patentable) that relate to Wesley Jessen's
or any of its Subsidiaries' actual or anticipated business, research and
development or existing or future products or services and that are conceived,
developed or made by Ryan while being employed by Wesley Jessen and any of its
Subsidiaries ("Work Product") belong to Wesley Jessen or such Subsidiary.  Ryan
shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and perform all such
actions reasonably requested by the Board (whether during or after the Term of
Employment) to establish and confirm such ownership (including, without
limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments).

15.   NONCOMPETITION/NONSOLICITATION.

     (A)  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Ryan acknowledges that:

              (i) Wesley Jessen and its Subsidiaries will suffer damage that
will be difficult to compute if, during the Term of Employment and any
Consulting Period or thereafter, Ryan should enter a competitive business; and

                                       23
<PAGE>

              (ii) The provisions of this Section 15 are reasonable and
necessary for the protection of the business of Wesley Jessen and its
Subsidiaries.

    (B) NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION. During the Term of Employment and
any Consulting Period and for 12 months thereafter (the "Covenant Period") Ryan,
without the prior written permission of Wesley Jessen, shall not, directly or
indirectly:

              (i) enter into the employ of or render any services to any person,
firm on corporation engaged in any business that derives more than 5 percent of
its gross sales (such 5 percent of gross sales not to exceed $50 million in any
event) from products that are interchangeable with or substitutable for a
product sold by one or more of the businesses conducted by Wesley Jessen or any
of its Subsidiaries when the Term or Consulting Period, as applicable, ends (a
"Competitive Business");

              (ii) engage in any Competitive Business for his own account;

              (iii) become associated with or interested in any Competitive
Business as an individual, partner, shareholder, creditor, director, officer,
principal, agent, employee, trustee, consultant, advisor or in any other
relationship or capacity;

              (iv) employ or retain, or have or cause any other person or entity
to employ or retain, any person who was employed or retained by Wesley Jessen or
any of its Subsidiaries while Ryan was employed by or performing consulting
services for Wesley Jessen; or

              (v) solicit, endeavor to entice away from or knowingly interfere
with Wesley Jessen or any of its Subsidiaries, any of its or their customers or
sources of supply.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude
Ryan from investing his personal assets in the securities of any corporation or
other business entity that is engaged in a Competitive Business if such
securities are traded on a national stock

                                       24
<PAGE>

exchange or in the over-the-counter market and if such investment does not
result in his owning beneficially at any time more than 2 percent of the
publicly traded equity securities of such competitor.

    (C) REMEDIES AND SANCTIONS. In the event that Ryan is found to be in
violation of Section 15(b), Wesley Jessen shall be entitled to relief as
provided in Section 16 below.

16.  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.

    (A) BREACH OR THREATENED BREACH. If Ryan commits a breach, or threatens to
commit a breach, of any of the provisions of Sections 13 or 15 above, Wesley
Jessen shall have the right and remedy to seek to have the provisions of this
Agreement specifically enforced by any court having equity jurisdiction without
posting bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed by Ryan that
the services being rendered hereunder to Wesley Jessen are of a special, unique
and extraordinary character and that any such breach or threatened breach will
cause irreparable injury to Wesley Jessen and that monetary damages will not
provide an adequate remedy to Wesley Jessen.

    The rights and remedies enumerated in this Section 16(a) shall each be
independent of the other and shall be severally enforceable, and such rights and
remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other damages, rights
and remedies available to Wesley Jessen under law or equity.

    (B) EXTENSION OF COVENANT PERIOD. If Ryan shall violate any covenant
contained in this Section 16, the Covenant Period shall automatically extend for
12 months from the date on which Ryan permanently ceases such violation or, if
later, from the date of entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of a final
order or judgment enforcing such covenant.

                                       25
<PAGE>

    (C) UNENFORCEABILITY. If any provision of this Section 16 is held to be
unenforceable because of the scope, duration or area of its applicability, the
tribunal making such determination shall have the power to modify such scope,
duration, or area, or all of them, and any such provision shall then be
applicable in such modified form.

17.  WITHHOLDING TAXES.

    All payments to Ryan or his Beneficiary shall be subject to withholding on
account of federal, state and local taxes as required by law. If any payment
under this Agreement is insufficient to provide the amount of such taxes
required to be withheld, Wesley Jessen may withhold such taxes from any
subsequent payment due Ryan or his Beneficiary. In the event that all payments
due are insufficient to provide the required amount of such withholding taxes,
Ryan or his Beneficiary, within five days after written notice from Wesley
Jessen, shall pay to Wesley Jessen the amount of such withholding taxes in
excess of the payments due.

18.  BENEFICIARIES/REFERENCES.

    Ryan shall be entitled to select (and change, to the extent permitted under
any applicable law) a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation
or benefit payable under this Agreement following his death by giving Wesley
Jessen written notice thereof. In the event of Ryan's death or of a judicial
determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Ryan shall be
deemed to refer, as appropriate, to his beneficiary, estate or other legal
representative.

                                       26
<PAGE>

19.  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY INSURANCE.

    Nothing herein is intended to limit Wesley Jessen's indemnification of
Ryan, and Wesley Jessen shall indemnify him to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law consistent with Wesley Jessen's Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws as in effect on the date of this Agreement, with respect to any action
or failure to act on his part while he is an officer, director or employee of
Wesley Jessen or any Subsidiary. Wesley Jessen shall cause Ryan to be covered at
all times by directors' and officers' liability insurance on terms no less
favorable than the directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by
Wesley Jessen in effect on the date hereof in terms of coverage and amounts.
Wesley Jessen shall continue to indemnify Ryan as provided above and maintain
such liability insurance coverage for him after the Term of Employment and, if
applicable, the Consulting Period for any claims that may be made against him
with respect to his service as a director or officer of Wesley Jessen or any of
its Subsidiaries or as a consultant to Wesley Jessen.

20.  ASSIGNABILITY, SUCCESSORS, BINDING AGREEMENT.

    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties
and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of Ryan) and assigns. No
rights or obligations of Wesley Jessen under this Agreement may be assigned or
transferred by Wesley Jessen except pursuant to (a) a merger or consolidation in
which Wesley Jessen is not the continuing entity or (b) sale or liquidation of
all or substantially all of the assets of Wesley Jessen, provided that the
surviving entity or assignee or transferee is the successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of Wesley Jessen and such surviving entity or
assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of Wesley
Jessen under this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.

                                       27
<PAGE>

    Wesley Jessen further agrees that, in the event of a sale of assets or
liquidation as described in the preceding sentence, it will use its best efforts
to have such assignee or transferee expressly agree to assume the liabilities,
obligations and duties of Wesley Jessen hereunder; provided, however, that
notwithstanding such assumption, Wesley Jessen shall remain liable and
responsible for fulfillment of the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and
provided, further, that in no event shall such assignment and assumption of this
Agreement adversely affect Ryan's rights upon a Change in Control, as provided
in Section 10(h) above. No rights or obligations of Ryan under this Agreement
may be assigned or transferred by him.

21.  REPRESENTATIONS.

    The Parties respectively represent and warrant that each is fully authorized
and empowered to enter into this Agreement and that the performance of its or
his obligations, as the case may be, under this Agreement will not violate any
agreement between such Party and any other person, firm or organization. Wesley
Jessen represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action and is valid, binding and enforceable in
accordance with its terms.

22.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

    Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, this Agreement contains the
entire understanding and agreement between the Parties concerning the subject
matter hereof and supersedes Ryan's Employment Agreement of June 28, 1995 and
any other prior agreements, whether written or oral, between the Parties
concerning the subject matter hereof. Payments and benefits provided under this
Agreement are in lieu of any payments or other benefits under any severance
program or policy of Wesley Jessen to which Ryan would otherwise be entitled.

                                       28
<PAGE>

23.  AMENDMENT OR WAIVER.

    No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is
agreed to in writing and signed by both Ryan and an authorized officer of Wesley
Jessen. No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other Party of any
condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be performed by such other
Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision
at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must be in writing and
signed by the Party to be charged with the waiver. No delay by either Party in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof.

24.  SEVERABILITY.

    In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part,
the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall
remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

25.  SURVIVAL.

    The respective rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement
shall survive any termination of Ryan's employment with, or consulting services
for, Wesley Jessen.

26.  GOVERNING LAW.

    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws.

                                       29
<PAGE>

27.  RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.

    (A) ARBITRATION. The Parties hereby express a preference that any dispute
arising under or in connection with this Agreement be resolved by arbitration,
to be held in Chicago, Illinois, in accordance with the commercial rules and
procedures of the American Arbitration Association.

    (B) COSTS. Except as provided in Section 13(b), each Party shall bear its or
his respective costs, fees (including attorneys' fees) and expenses of any
arbitration or litigation in connection with this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Wesley Jessen shall reimburse Ryan for costs, fees and expenses,
including attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by him in connection with
any arbitration or litigation between the Parties, whether or not instituted by
Wesley Jessen or Ryan, relating to any provision of this Agreement, including
but not limited to the interpretation, enforcement or reasonableness thereof, if
Ryan is the prevailing party in such arbitration or litigation.

    (C) CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS AND PAYMENTS. Pending the outcome or resolution
of any dispute between the Parties, Wesley Jessen shall continue to provide on
Ryan's behalf all benefits due him under employee benefit plans and programs as
set forth in this Agreement and shall pay Ryan all other amounts due under this
Agreement without regard to such dispute; provided, however, that if Wesley
Jessen shall be the prevailing party in such dispute, Ryan shall promptly repay
Wesley Jessen all amounts that he received during pendency of the proceeding, as
well as any other amounts determined, at the outcome or resolution of such
dispute, not to have been due him.

                                       30
<PAGE>

28.  NOTICES.

    Any notice given to either Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been given when delivered either personally, by fax, by overnight delivery
service (such as Federal Express) or sent by certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to the Party concerned
at the address indicated below or to such changed address as the Party may
subsequently give notice of.

                    If to Wesley Jessen:  Wesley Jessen VisionCare, Inc.
                                          333 East Howard Avenue
                                          Des Plaines, Illinois 60018
                                          Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                                          Fax: (847) 294-3518

                    If to Ryan:           Kevin J. Ryan
                                          c/o Wesley Jessen Corporation
                                          333 East Howard Avenue
                                          Des Plaines, Illinois 60018
                                          Fax: (847) 294-3888
                                          cc. To Kevin Ryan's then current
                                          residence, as he specifies in writing
                                          from time to time


29.  HEADINGS.

    The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Agreement.

                                       31
<PAGE>

29.  COUNTERPARTS.

    This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts together
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
                                         WESLEY JESSEN VISIONCARE, INC.

Attest: /s/ THOMAS STEINER               By: /s/ EDWARD J. KELLEY
        ________________________             _________________________
                                             Name: EDWARD J. KELLEY
                                             Title:CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


Witness:/s/ JOY ROSEN                        /s/ KEVIN J. RYAN
        ________________                     ________________________________
                                             Kevin J. Ryan

                                       32