Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of contact lenses, a polymerizable contact lens material is dispensed into a mould half (1) and the mould is subsequently closed by means of the second mould half (2). The material located between the two mould halves in the moulding cavity (12) is then polymerized, thus forming an as yet unhydrated contact lens (CL). The moulding surface of one of the two mould halves (1, 2) is pre-treated, before use, in a region (20) outside the optically active zone of the contact lens (CL) in such a manner that, when the mould is opened, the contact lens (CL) adheres to the pre-treated mould half.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of angiotensin antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of normal tension glaucoma, wherein said angiotensin antagonist and salt thereof have pronunced selectivity for the AT1 receptor.

Abstract: A fixture device and method for uniformly and efficiently treating an article in a gaseous atmosphere. The fixture device provides a plurality of point contact support locations for supporting the article during the treatment. The fixture device and treatment method are especially useful in the plasma treatment of contact lenses to improve surface biocompatibility and hydrophilicity.

Abstract: A container, composition and method for preserving treatment solutions, in which the composition includes weak and strong preservatives. The dispensing container includes media within a dispensing tip which media removes or alters the strong preservative, while allowing the weak preservative to inhibit microbial growth in the tip media. The dispensing container is especially useful in delivering to the ocular environment ophthalmic solutions which are essentially free of strong preservative which may cause patient discomfort. A dispensing container including a pH-preserved pilocarpine solution is disclosed in one embodiment.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the decomposition rate of polymeric bioadhesives and viscosity enhancers, such as poly(acrylic acids). The compositions include at least one strong, stable chelating agent, preferably an organophosphorous compound such as diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid). These biocompatible compositions are especially useful in the ophthalmic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerizable derivatives of carbohydrates comprising a compound of formula (I)R.sup.1 --(COO--Alk).sub.m --(OCONH--R).sub.n --(NHCO).sub.p --Y--Z (I)whereinR.sup.1 is a radically polymerizable hydrocarbon group;m, n and p are 0 or 1;Alk is alkylene having up to 10 carbon atoms;R is a diradical, having up to 20 carbon atoms, of an organic diisocyanate;Z is a monovalent radical, minus a single hydroxy group, of a mono-, di- or tri-saccharide, of an oligosaccharide, of a cyclodextrin (CD) or of an anhydrosaccharide; andY is --O-- or --NH--;with the proviso that when p is zero, m and n are also zero and Y is --NH--; to homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers and polymeric networks thereof, to molded articles, for example contact lenses or biomedicinal articles, comprising the mentioned polymers, as well as to processes for the preparation of the mentioned polymers and articles.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is crosslinked in solution, and also to mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable in accordance with that process. The present invention relates also to novel prepolymers that can be used in the process according to the invention, especially derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 that, based on the number of hydroxy groups of the polyvinyl alcohol, comprise from approximately 0.5 to approximately 80% of units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene having up to 8 carbon atoms,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl andR.sup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of mouldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a water-soluble, crosslinkable polymer is crosslinked in solution, and to mouldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process. The present invention likewise relates to novel water-soluble, crosslinkable polymers, in particular those comprising units of formula (III or IIIa), in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, independently of one another, are hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, an aryl group or a cyclohexyl group, where these groups can be monosubstituted or polysubstituted, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, and R.sub.

Abstract: A disinfection solution, primarily for use in conjunction with contact lenses is disclosed comprising an amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable ionic salt which is equivalent in ionic strength to at least 5% w/v sodium chloride, at least one of a C.sub.2-6 alkanol and a C.sub.3-8 alkylene glycol, a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, optionally a buffer, and water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly contacting an article with a treatment solution. Preferred embodiments are methods of uniformly tinting of contact lenses or uniformly surface modifying contact lenses. The method involves suspending the lens in the treatment solution by application of fluid flow, preferably sinusoidal or pulsed, in a direction opposite the stagnant force (i.e., sum of buoyancy and gravity forces) on the article. The fluid flow prevents the lens from contacting the container structure for periods sufficient to cause non-uniform treatment conditions, while continuously mixing the treatment solution to maintain uniform concentrations throughout.

Abstract: A process for the production of mouldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a water-soluble, crosslinkable polymer is crosslinked in solution, and mouldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process; and novel water-soluble, crosslinkable polymers which can be employed in the crosslinking process, in particular those based on polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 which comprises units of the formulae: XI and XII, XI and XIII or XI, XII and XIII. In said Formulae, U is (a) or --Y--NH--CO--O--Z--O--CH.dbd.CH.sub.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is an amphiphilic, segmented copolymer of controlled morphology comprising at least one segment having high oxygen permeability, at least one segment having high ion and water permeability, the segments being linked together through a non-hydrolizable bond, and at least one polymerizable unsaturated group; a process for the preparation of the copolymer; to polymeric products obtainable by further polymerizing and optionally cross-linking the amphiphilic segmented copolymer, and to mouldings, especially contact lenses and other ophthalmic devices comprising a polymeric product of the invention. In a specifically preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a contact lens comprising a polymeric product of the invention which is suited for extended periods of wear.

Abstract: A preservative for ophthalmic solutions having an active ingredient is provided, having a hydrogen peroxide content of about 0.001% to about 0.10% by weight; and diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) or a physiologically compatible salt thereof, present at about 0.002% to 0.03% by weight and/or 0.005% to about 0.20% by weight of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, or physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for modifying the surface characteristics of a preformed polymer substrate to impart altered properties thereto by graft polymerization on the substrate which includes: placing the polymer substrate in a plasma to form free radicals on the substrate; contacting the substrate having free radicals with oxygen to form hydroperoxy groups on the surface of the substrate; and graft polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer onto the surface of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is crosslinked in solution, and also to mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable in accordance with that process. The present invention relates also to novel prepolymers that can be used in the process according to the invention, especially derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 that, based on the number of hydroxy groups of the polyvinyl alcohol, comprise from approximately 0.5 to approximately 80% of units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene having up to 8 carbon atoms,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl andR.sup.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially optical lenses, specifically contact lenses (CL), a starting material that is crosslinkable by the impingement of suitable energy is introduced into a mould (1) having a cavity (15), which mould is at least partially permeable to the energy concerned. The starting material is introduced into the cavity in a still at least partially uncrosslinked state, the mould cavity determining the shape of the moulding (CL) to be produced. By means of impingement of the energy concerned, the starting material is crosslinked to an extent sufficient for it to be possible for the moulding (CL) to be released from the mould. The filling of the mould cavity is carried out in the starting material that is still at least partially in the uncrosslinked state.

Abstract: In a process for the production of optical lenses, in particular contact lenses, a lens material is introduced between two mould halves. The mould halves each have a moulding surface and enclose a cavity in the closed state of the mould. After the lens material has been introduced the two moulding surfaces are moved towards each other and the lens material is enclosed in the cavity. If necessary, the lens material enclosed in the cavity is then polymerised. The first moulding surface is provided on the one mould half and the other mould half includes a mould part that is movable inside it with a close fit in the manner of a piston and on which the second moulding surface is provided, so that by moving that mould part towards the first moulding surface the cavity is closed. For this purpose, the two mould halves are first assembled, then the movable mould part which has the second moulding surface is moved in the direction towards the first moulding surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens screening method suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.