EXHIBIT (10)-z

OPTION AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO 2003 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION





|OPTION AGREEMENT by Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, a New York corporation (referred to hereinafter as the "Company"), dated as of the date which appears on the "Date of Award and Agreement" in the Award Summary attached hereto (the "Award Summary") in favor of the individual whose name appears on the Award Summary (the "Recipient").                                                                                                                                                       
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|In accordance with the provisions of the Company's 2003 Long-term Incentive Plan (referred to hereinafter as the "Plan"), approved by the shareholders of the Company on April 29, 2003 the Committee on Management (referred to hereinafter as the "Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Company has authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement.  The Award Summary contains the details of the awards covered by this Agreement and is incorporated herein in its entirety.
|NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the Company and Recipient agree as follows:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
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|RECIPIENT     | BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED            
|------------- | --------------------------------------
|              |                                       
|By:           | By:          Jean F. Geisel, Secretary
|Name Printed: |