Abstract: Glass or plastics substrates which in use are susceptible to misting and which have on at least one surface thereof an antimist coating. The coating is formed from a hydrophilic polymer which comprises a hydrophilic polyurethane which contains from 35 to 60% by weight of water when hydrated and which has a thickness of from 3 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m in its anhydrous state. Substrates in which the coating comprises a first layer formed from a polyurethane which contains from 0 to 35% by weight of water when hydrated and in which a second and subsequent layers are formed from a polyurethane which contains 60 to 90% by weight of water are also described. Methods for forming the coatings are also described.

Abstract: Glass or plastics substrates which in use are susceptible to misting and which have on at least one surface thereof an antimist coating. The coating is formed from a hydrophilic polymer which comprises a hydrophilic polyurethane which contains from 35 to 60% by weight of water when hydrated and which has a thickness of from 3 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m in its anhydrous state. Substrates in which the coating comprises a first layer formed from a polyurethane which contains from 0 to 35% by weight of water when hydrated and in which a second and subsequent layers are formed from a polyurethane which contains 60 to 90% by weight of water are also described. Methods for forming the coatings are also described.

Abstract: A cross-linked, hydrogel polymer for contact lenses with a water uptake of between 60 and 70% by weight based on the total weight of hydrogel is formed from a mixture of monomer components containing (1) N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, (2) alkyl methacrylate and (3) a compound of formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, preferably methyl, and R.sup.2 is either a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted by a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxygroup or by a cycloalkyloxygroup. Preferably the alkyl methacrylate is hydroxyethyl methacrylate and the third component phenethyl methacrylate. Cross-linking agents used preferably have their two functional groups differing in reactivity, for example allyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A hygienic absorbent pad is described which comprises an elongate absorbent core, a liquid pervious sheet over the front face of the absorbent core and a liquid absorbent core, which barrier sheet has longitudinal edge portions which cover the longitudinal sides of the absorbent, which longitudinal edge portions have a layer in contact with a surface thereof of a water absorbing polymer such as a hydrophilic polyurethane which is capable of inhibiting leakage of body fluids from the front surface of the absorbent pad to the sides thereof.

Abstract: A substantially isotonic aqueous solution suitable for the cleaning of soft and gas permeable contact lenses which solution comprises a sterile aqueous solution of 0.01 to 2% of an ophthalmically acceptable non-ionic surface active agent, 0.0012 to 0.003% of a chlorhexidine salt and sufficient tonicity adjusting agent not containing ionic species producing a tonicity equivalent to more than a 0.3% solution of sodium chloride.

Abstract: A composition which is capable of releasing sulphur dioxide in the presence of water over an extended period contains a sulphur dioxide-liberating compound and hydroquinone. The composition may also contain thio urea and/or a phosphate buffer. The compositions are used to sterilize soiled articles, such as surgical and sanitary dressings, which have been placed in temporary disposal units prior to permanent disposal.

Abstract: Polymers containing 55 to 90% of units of the formula (A): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and 10 to 45% of units of the formula (B) and (C): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2 is a hydrogen group of 5 to 19 carbon atoms, for example n-C.sub.11 H.sub.23, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is a hydrocarbon group of 5 to 19 carbon atoms, for example n-C.sub.11 H.sub.23 and X.sup.- is an anion and which contain at least 10% of units of formula (C) and are free from polymeric species having a molecular weight of less than 10,000 are described. The polymers possess antimicrobial activity agains common pathogens. Isotonic aqueous solutions containing 0.002 to 0.025% of the polymer are suitable for the sterilization of contact lenses for example by immersion of the lens in the solution overnight. Hydrophilic ointments containing from 0.002 to 0.

Abstract: A substantially isotonic, aqueous solution suitable for the sterilization of soft contact lenses having small or no propensity to cause ocular irritation which solution comprises a sterile aqueous solution of 0.00125 to 0.0025% of a chlorhexidine salt and sufficient tonicity adjusting agent to render the solution substantially isotonic said tonicity adjusting agent not containing ionic species producing a tonicity equivalent to more than a 0.3% solution of sodium chloride.

Abstract: Watersoluble terpolymers based on three monomer units all of formula: ##STR1## (or possibly the 5-membered ring analogue) wherein the N-substituents are respectively (A) low-low e.g. dimethyl (B) low-medium e.g. methyloctyl and (C) low-higher e.g. methyllauryl or methylcetyl, in molecular size; B:C being usually 5:1 to 0.333:1 (perferably 2:1 to 1:1) in weight ratio, and species less than 10,000 or preferably 20,000 m.w. usually being removed, have surprisingly effective sterilizing activity e.g. against Candida while (a) not accumulating in soft contact lenses, whereby they can be used as an overnight nonirritant aqueous sterilant solution at concentrations below 0.1 weight percent e.g. 0.05 or less and (b) not penetrating skin or like membrane whereby aqueous formulations can be used as topical disinfectants without systemic side-effects.