Abstract: A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a cryogenic polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, sodium bicarbonate, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with (a) a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes and (i) sodium hydroxide and water or (ii) alumina, a surfactant and a solvent and (b) the articles to be cleaned, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.

Abstract: Improved glaucoma filtration device materials comprise at least one monomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-10;Y is nothing, O, or S;R is nothing, H, or an aliphatic, aromatic or aliphatic/aromatic combination of up to twelve carbon atoms, which can be unsubstituted or substituted with Cl, F, Br, or an alkoxy of up to four carbon atoms; anda cross-linking monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are preservative systems useful in aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing an active agent and a cyclodextrin. The preservative systems comprise boric acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of C.sub.16 benzalkonium halide compounds, polymeric quatemary ammonium compounds, and quatemary ammonium alkylene glycol phospholipid derivatives of the following structure ##STR1## where a+b=3; R.sup.1 is C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl or alkene; X is NH, O, or CH.sub.2 ; R.sup.2 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl; each R.sup.3 is independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkene; and Y is nothing or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or alkene; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: High refractive index copolymers suitable for use in ophthalmic lenses, such as foldable intraocular lenses, are disclosed. The high refractive index copolymers of the present invention consist essentially of (i) one or more monomers having the structure: ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-10;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (n=1-10) isoOC.sub.3 H.sub.7, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ;Ar is any aromatic ring which can be unsubstituted or substituted with H,CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n--C.sub.3 H.sub.7, iso--C.sub.3 H.sub.7, OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.11, Cl, Br, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ;and (ii) one or more monomers having the structure: ##STR2## wherein: X, X' is independently H or CH.sub.3 ;n, n' are independently 2 or 3;m, m' are independently 2-25;Ar, Ar' are independently as defined above;a is 1 or 2; andZ is C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 or S(.dbd.O).sub.2.

Abstract: Simple, efficacious, easily manufacturable, convenient to use and cost-effective contact lens care cleaning compositions comprising carbon dioxide and carbonic acid as cleansing agents are disclosed. The compositions do not require abrasive agents such as polymeric beads, nor ocularly irritating agents such as enzymes or surfactants in order to effectively clean proteinaceous and nonproteinaceous deposits from the surface of contact lenses. Also disclosed is a one-step cleaning and disinfecting regimen, whereby an effervescent tablet composition capable of generating carbon dioxide and carbonic acid is dissolved in a disinfecting solution or rinsing/disinfecting/storage solution.

Abstract: Foldable, acrylic, high refractive index ophthalmic device materials containing a UV absorbing chromophore are cured by exposure to blue light using a benzoylphosphine oxide photoinitiator.

Abstract: Disclosed are ophthalmic compositions containing vitamin E tocopheryl derivatives which are comfortable and non-irritating. In addition, these vitamin E tocopheryl derivatives significantly increase the aqueous solubility of certain poorly soluble ophthalmic agents.

Abstract: The tackiness associated with certain soft acrylic polymers can be reduced by plasma treatment of the polymer surface. This is particularly useful with regard to intraocular lenses (IOLs), especially foldable IOLs, which are made from such soft acrylic polymers.

Abstract: Fluoroalkyl hydrocarbons as vehicles for pharmaceutical drugs are disclosed. These vehicles are particularly well-suited for delivering drugs which are insoluble in water or chemically unstable in aqueous media. Pharmaceutical solution compositions based on these vehicles have long shelf lives and provide improved drug bioavailability. In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are nonaqueous, and therefore do not require preservatives or tonicity agents. The invention is particularly useful in the field of ophthalmology.

Abstract: High refractive index copolymers comprised of monomers having the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is H or CH.sub.3 ; m is 0-10;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (n=1-10) iso OC.sub.3 H.sub.7, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ;Ar is an aromatic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7, iso-C.sub.3 H.sub.7, OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.11, Cl, Br, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 ; and n is 1-5; anda cross linking monomer having a plurality of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups are disclosed. Intraocular lenses made of the copolymers which can be inserted into an aphakic eye through a relatively small incision are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions containing biocompatible, bioadhesive polymerizable amphipathic mesophase materials useful for repairing retinal tissue tears or retinal detachments are disclosed. In one embodiment, the polymerizable materials, which comprise substituted fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl monomers having anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic surface active functionality in the unsaturated fluorophobic ends, are polymerized in vivo to provide effective, long-lasting repair of torn, ruptured or detached retinal tissue. Ophthalmic applications of these materials are not limited to retinal repair.

Abstract: The use of polyethoxylated castor oils in prostaglandin compositions greatly enhances the prostaglandin's chemical stability.

Abstract: Compounds useful as cytoprotective agents are disclosed. The compounds possess dual activity, containing a phenolic portion selected to have antioxidant or free radical scavenging properties and a thiazolidine-4-carboxylate portion selected for its potential to act as a cysteine prodrug.

Abstract: Thermally gelling emulsion compositions which reversibly increase in either loss modulus or storage modulus, or both, upon contact with the eye, skin, mucous membrane or body cavity are disclosed. The emulsion compositions contain one or more nonionic substituted cellulose ethers and do not require a charged surfactant or a pH-sensitive polymer for such increase in loss modulus or storage modulus, or both, upon administration. In one embodiment, the compositions gel upon instillation in the eye.

Abstract: A process employing a supercritical fluid anti-solvent for sizing prednisolone acetate is disclosed. The process optionally incorporates sterilization filters. Average particle sizes of about 1 .mu.m or less (number average) and narrow particle size ranges are obtainable. The process comprises the steps of (a) forming a solution by dissolving prednisolone acetate in acetone such that the concentration of prednisolone acetate is approximately 80% or less of its solubility in acetone; and (b) transporting the solution formed in step (a) through an orifice having a diameter of 50-100 .mu.m into a mixer/expander containing compressed CO.sub.2, wherein the compressed CO.sub.2 is at a temperature from about 40.degree. to 80.degree. C. and has a density less than the density of the solution by at least 0.3 g/cc, to expand the solution so that the acetone dissolves in the CO.sub.2 and the prednisolone acetate precipitates.

Abstract: Improved soft, foldable acrylic lens materials which are particularly suited for use as IOLs, but which are also useful as other ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, and corneal rings or inlays, are disclosed. These materials contain only two principal components: one aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer and one hydrophilic monomer. The materials of the present invention are copolymers comprising at least about 90% by weight of the two principal monomeric components; provided that the amount of the hydrophilic component is not greater than that of the aryl acrylic hydrophobic component. The remainder of the material comprises up to 10% by weight of one or more additional components, such as cross-linking, UV-light absorbing, and blue-light absorbing components.The aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers suitable for use in the materials of the present invention have the formula ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-6;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR, wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.

Abstract: Substituted hydrindanes and their use in controlling angiogenesis-dependent diseases in warm blooded animals are disclosed.

Abstract: High refractive index copolymers comprised of monomers having the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is H or CH.sub.3 ; m is 0-10;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (n=1-10) iso OC.sub.3 H.sub.7, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ;Ar is an aromatic ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7, iso-C.sub.3 H.sub.7, OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.11, Cl, Br, C.sub.6 H.sub.5 or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ; and n is 1-5; anda cross linking monomer having a plurality of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups are disclosed. Intraocular lenses made of the copolymers which can be inserted into an aphakic eye through a relatively small incision are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polymerizable yellow dyes are disclosed. Additionally, novel and known dyes are used to block or lower the intensity of blue light transmitted through ocular lenses and other windows.

Abstract: Stable formulations of positively charged, hydrolytically unstable drug compounds are obtained by adding a sulfated polyvinyl alcohol copolymer to the formulations.