Abstract: Contact lens cleaning compositions comprising preserved surfactant-containing solutions of a poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) adduct of ethylene diamine having a molecular weight from about 7500 to as high as 27,000 wherein at least 40 weight percent of the adduct is poly(oxyethylene) hydrophilic units. The solutions are effective in removing protein/lipid tear film deposits on both hard and soft contact lenses while providing a prophylactic-like action in retarding the formation of subsequent tear film deposits. The compositions provide effective cleaning and conditioning action using both ambient and high temperature disinfection methods.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for determining an anterior or posterior surface parameter of an ophthalmic correcting surface (e.g., custom contact lens “CCL,” customized IOL, custom inlay, customized corneal surface) from a wavefront aberration measurement of an eye. A preferred embodiment relates to determining an anterior surface parameter of a dry, CCL designed to operate at 555 nm. An algorithm sets forth the method comprising misalignment correction, chromatic aberration correction, and power shift correction due to differences between aberration measurement wavelength and peak vision wavelength, and differences between aberration measurement location and aberration correction location. A device readable medium is the preferable vehicle for the algorithm.

Abstract: A method for improving the integrity of the corneal epithelium by introducing into the eye an effective amount of a ophthalmically compatible retinoid sufficient to enhance the integrity of the corneal epithelium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved sustained release drug delivery device comprising a drug core, a unitary cup, and a permeable plug.

Abstract: The invention provides an ophthalmic aqueous composition for topical administration, comprising: (a) a block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in concentration sufficient to provide viscosity of less than about 25 centipoise at ambient temperature and viscosity of from about 25 to about 55 centipoise when applied topically to a patient; (b) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in concentration sufficient to improve the durability of the gel formed by the block copolymer. The invention further provides a method for administering ophthalmic pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A nutritional or dietary supplement composition that strengthens and promotes retinal health through the prevention, stabilization, reversal and/or treatment of visual acuity loss by reducing the risk of developing late stage or advanced age-related macular degeneration in persons with early age-related macular degeneration. The nutritional or dietary supplement composition may likewise reduce the risk of vision loss associated with the development of cataracts. The essential ingredients of the nutritional or dietary supplement composition are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper. The essential ingredients are preferably provided in a tablet form suitable for oral ingestion. Preferably the composition is taken in the form of one or two tablets taken twice daily.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the surface treatment of silicone medical devices such as contact lenses and medical implants. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of modifying the surface of a medical device to increase its biocompatibility or hydrophilicity by coating the device with a hydrophilic polymer by means of reaction between reactive functionalities on the hydrophilic polymer which functionalities are complementary to reactive functionalities on or near the surface of the medical device. The present invention is also directed to a contact lens or other medical device having such a surface coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biguanide-containing disinfecting solution containing tyloxapol in combination with a poloxamine for stabilizing the biguanide, which is especially useful for contact-lens solutions that provide enhanced disinfecting and enhanced cleaning efficacy. The method of the present invention comprises cleaning and disinfecting a contact lens with the above-described solution.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the amount of cosmetic defects in contact lenses made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. By filtering the monomer mixture with a filter, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are finely dispersed throughout the mixture. Dissolved gases contained within the mixture are also finely dispersed. Contact lenses produced from this method have improved optical quality.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically clear, hydrophilic coating upon the surface of a silicone hydrogel lens by plasma treating the lens and subsequently heating the lens in an aqueous solution containing a surface-protective agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for selecting contact lenses to reduce corneal staining. The method selects contact lens materials based upon the ratio of the water diffusion coefficient to the ion diffusion coefficient.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, which compositions comprise a carbonate or bicarbonate salt, a non-carbonate buffer system, an antimicrobial agent, and a non-ionic surfactant. Products according to the present invention, especially multi-purpose solutions, provide simultaneous disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses including the prevention or removal of protein and lipid deposits and other debris.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biguanide-containing disinfecting solution containing a particular type of poloxamine for stabilizing a polymeric biguanide. The poloxamine surfactant comprises at least about 90 weight percent of poly(oxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene) segments, in one or more copolymer chains, wherein the weight average molecular weight of said surfactant is from about 10,000 to about 30,000 and wherein at least about 70 weight percent of said poly(oxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene) segments are poly(oxyethylene) segments, and wherein the HLB value is at least 27. The method of the present invention comprises cleaning and disinfecting a contact lens with the above-described solution. Products according to the present invention provide enhanced cleaning while maintaining biocidal efficacy.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the water diffusion coefficient of a biocompatible material. The method measures water diffusion through the biocompatible material by detecting the presence of hydrogen ions in D2O by NMR analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic solution for the treatment of contact lenses while worn in the eye. In particular, the composition contains ethoxylated glucose derivative, tyloxapol, and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene nonionic surfactant. The ophthalmic solution containing such a combination of components can be applied, in the form of drops, to the eye or to contact lens in the eye. In one embodiment of the invention, the composition is used for reducing unwanted lipid or protein deposition on extended-wear lenses, including lenses made from relatively hydrophobic materials such as silicon hydrogels.

Abstract: There are disclosed compositions and methods for cleaning contact lenses using water soluble enzyme-polymer conjugates. A preferred method includes providing the subject enzyme-polymer conjugates in a tablet form, dissolving the tablet in an aqueous solution and subsequently soaking a contact lens in the resulting solution. Other methods include providing the enzyme-polymer conjugate in a liquid form and contacting a contact lens therewith.

Abstract: Monomers of the following formula are useful in contact lens materials: ##STR1## wherein: A is an activated unsaturated group;R and D independently are alkylene or haloalkylene radicals having 1 to 10 carbon atoms wherein said carbon atoms may include ether linkages therebetween;each R.sup.1 is independently selected from: alkyl or haloalkyl radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms wherein ether linkages may be included between carbon atoms; siloxane groups; and carbocyclic ring groups having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 is selected from: ##STR2## and--((CR.sup.3 --CH.sub.2)--O).sub.n --R.sup.4 ;wherein R.sup.3 is hydrogen or alkyl having 1-3 carbon atoms, n is 1 to 20; and R.sup.4 is alkyl or haloalkyl radical having 1 to 10 carbon atoms wherein ether linkages may be included between carbon atoms;m is an integer from 1 to 500; x and y are 0 or 1;z is 1 or 2; and x+y+z=3.

Abstract: An improved method for forming plastic molds for casting articles having an optical surface such as contact lenses employs a plastic tool having an optically smooth surface.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lens having UV-absorbing properties involves charging to a mold a monomer mixture comprising lens-forming monomers and an essentially non-UV-absorbing compound; exposing the monomer mixture in the mold to a light source including ultraviolet light to cure the monomer mixture and form the lens, whereby the non-UV-absorbing compound converts to a UV-absorbing agent.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lens having UV-absorbing properties involves charging to a mold a monomer mixture comprising lens-forming monomers and an essentially non-UV-absorbing compound, and curing the monomer mixture to form a lens, followed by treating the lens to convert the essentially non-UV-absorbing compound to a UV-absorbing agent.