Bausch + Lomb appoints Thomas Appio as interim CEO

Bausch + Lomb has announced the immediate departure of CEO Brent Saunders by mutual agreement with the Board of Directors. The company did not disclose the specific reasons for his exit, which occurred less than two years after his return to the company in March 2023.

Thomas Appio, who has served as the chairman of the Bausch + Lomb Board since August and is the current CEO of parent company Bausch Health, has been appointed as interim CEO. Appio will maintain his leadership role at Bausch Health while overseeing the eye health company.

The leadership change follows a period of strategic shifts for the company, which separated from Bausch Health via an initial public offering. Following the announcement, Bausch + Lomb shares saw a decline of more than 7% in U.S. trading.