Abstract: An ophthalmic solution with viscosity enhancing and detergent properties for contact lenses, comprising one or more physiologically acceptably viscosity enhancing agents in aqueous solution having a non-Newtonian rheological behaviour, and one or more physiologically acceptable non-ionic surfactants. The non-ionic surfactant may be selected among esters of fatty acids, sorbitan polyoxyethylates (i.e. polysorbates, such as “Tween”), or block copolymers polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene (i.e. poloxamers, such as “Pluronic”). The viscosity enhancing agent may be selected among hyaluronic acid or its salts with alkali or alkaline-earth metals, ethers or esters of cellulose, chitosans, gellans, alginates or carboxyvinyl polymers of the kind Carbopolol® (or carbomer).

Abstract: Sodium hyaluronate viscous aqueous solutions of molecular weight from 1,200,000 to 2,200,000 Daltons at concentrations from 0.10% to 0.40% by weight are proposed for use as masking fluid in therapeutic photokeratectomy by means of excimer laser (PTK), which realizes the ablation of superficial layers of corneal tissue for the elimination of unevenness and macula derived from different traumatic or pathological conditions. Preferably, the proposed solutions also contain one or more cationic species selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium ion and one or more anionic species selected from the group consisting of chloride, phosphate and citrate ion and, preferably, glucose. The solutions according to the invention wet the cornea and protect its areas which remain distressed after surgery, enabling the obtainment of uniform and smooth ablated surfaces. Further, they enable the execution of intraoperative corneal topographic tests.

Abstract: Ophthalmic preparation for use as artificial tear containing hyaluronate as a viscosity thickener, preferably in the form of sodic salt and having a molecular weight of 500,000 to 4,000,000 daltons, at a concentration of 0.05 to 2% by weight, as well as the following minimum quantities of ionic species: 40 mmol/l sodium ion, 12 mmol/l potassium ion, 0.4 mmol/l calcium ion, 0.4 mmol/l magnesium ion, 50 mmol/l chloride ion, 7 mmol/l phosphate ion and, preferably, 0.7 mmol/l citrate ion. The formulation, which as an osmolarity of 140 to 280 mOsm/l, is useful for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and may be administered whenever the use of artifical tears is advisable, e.g. for the treatment of eye irritations caused by environmental conditions or contact lenses.