Abstract: Benzyldimethyl{2-[2-(p-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethyl} ammonium chloride (BDT) forms the basis of contact lens solutions that are unusually effective at reducing the number and wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms that may infect rigid gas permeable or soft contact lenses. Furthermore, it has been discovered that natural occurring compounds alone and in combination with chemical agents can be used in ophthalmic solutions such as contact lens solution to enhance and complement their anti-microbial, cleaning and wetting activity or to reduce irritation to the eye. The basic contact lens solution comprises an effective concentration of BDT (preferably 1 to 100 parts per million), with naturally occurring plant products possessing activities complementary to BDT, in an isotonic diluent buffered with a physiologically acceptable buffer to a physiologically natural range.

Abstract: A number of discrete, isolated and well-characterized natural plant compounds show antimicrobial activity when used for topical applications in the ophthalmic, skin care, oral care, pharmaceutical, medical device, heath care products or similar preparations for topical application. Of particular interest are Allantoin, Berberine, Bilberry extract, Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ether, Chlorogenic Acid, Cranberry Extract, Elderberry Extract, Ferulic Acid, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Hydroxytyrosol, Oleuropein, Olive Leaf Extract, Pine Bark Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Pycnogenol, Quercetin, Resveratrol, and Tart Cherry Extract. Oleuropein, and Pomegranate Extract, either alone or in combination, is extremely effective. Allantoin, can be used to enhance the efficacy of synthetic chemical disinfecting/preservative agents as well as to mitigate the cytotoxicity of some synthetic chemical disinfecting/preservative agents.

Abstract: Benzyldimethyl {2-[2-(p-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylphenoxy)ethoxy]ethyl} ammonium chloride (BDT) forms the basis of contact lens solutions that are unusually effective at reducing the number and wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms that may infect rigid gas permeable or soft contact lenses. Furthermore, it has been discovered that natural occurring compounds alone and in combination with chemical agents can be used in ophthalmic solutions such as contact lens solution to enhance and complement their anti-microbial, cleaning and wetting activity or to reduce irritation to the eye. The basic contact lens solution comprises an effective concentration of BDT (preferably 1 to 100 parts per million), with naturally occurring plant products possessing activities complementary to BDT, in an isotonic diluent buffered with a physiologically acceptable buffer to a physiologically natural range.

Abstract: Compositions for disinfecting contact lenses include a liquid medium containing a chlorite component, preferably a water soluble chlorite component, in a contact lens disinfecting amount, and a polyanionic component, preferably a water soluble polyanionic component, in an amount effective to do at least one of the following: inhibit formation of protein deposit material on a contact lens immersed in the composition; reduce the toxicity of the composition to the human eye, and reduce the damage to a contact lens caused by immersing the contact lens in the composition. The composition has a viscosity of less than 50 cps at 25.degree. C., an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsmol/kg, and preferably a pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.

Abstract: A composition and method useful to quickly and effectively indicate whether a functional component such as catalase has been added to a clear solution such as a hydrogen peroxide solution involves compounding with the functional component an effective amount of vitamin B-12 such that when the compounded composition is added to the clear solution, the clear solution turns rose colored. By observing the rose color, the user can determine that the functional component has been added to the clear solution.

Abstract: Compositions for storing contact lenses include a liquid medium containing a polyanionic component, preferably a water soluble polyanionic component, in an amount effective to provide a hydration layer on the surface of said contact lens. The composition has a viscosity of less than 50 cps at 25.degree. C., an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsm/kg, and preferably a pH in the range of about 6 to about 9.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for disinfecting a contact lens are disclosed. The present methods comprise contacting a contact lens with a liquid medium containing an effective amount of an oxidative disinfectant component at conditions to effectively disinfect the contact lens. The contacting occurs in the presence of a color indicator component which is soluble in the liquid medium and is adapted to provide a color indication of the presence of the oxidative disinfectant component in the liquid medium. The color indicator component comprises an effective amount of a transition metal component which is redox active, has an oxidized state of a first color and a reduced state of a different second color and a polyanionic component in an amount effective to inhibit the staining of the contact lens by the transition metal component.

Abstract: Disclosed are in-the-eye uses of chlorine dioxide-containing compositions as effective ophthalmic antiseptics and as effective ophthalmic surgical irrigants. Surprisingly low concentrations of chlorine dioxide are effective in such applications. In addition, the presently useful compositions are ophthalmically acceptable.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for disinfecting a contact lens are disclosed. The present methods comprise contacting a contact lens with a liquid medium containing an effective amount of an oxidative disinfectant component at conditions to effectively disinfect the contact lens. The contacting occurs in the presence of a color indicator component which is soluble in the liquid medium and is adapted to provide a color indication of the presence of the oxidative disinfectant component in the liquid medium. The color indicator component comprises an effective amount of a transition metal component which is redox active, has an oxidized state of a first color and a reduced state of a different second color and a polyanionic component in an amount effective to inhibit the staining of the contact lens by the transition metal component.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for disinfecting contact lenses are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present compositions include a liquid medium containing chlorine dioxide precursor in an amount effective to form, when activated, a chlorine dioxide-containing composition including a contact lens disinfecting amount of chlorine dioxide. A polyanionic component, preferably a water soluble polyanionic component, is included in the composition in an amount effective to inhibit the formation of proteinaceous deposit material on a contact lens immersed in the chlorine dioxide-containing composition. Thus, effective contact lens disinfection is achieved while, at the same time, reducing the risk of forming proteinaceous deposit material on the contact lens during the disinfecting processing.

Abstract: A composition and method useful to quickly and effectively indicate whether a functional component such as catalase has been added to a clear solution such as a hydrogen peroxide solution involves compounding with the functional component an effective amount of vitamin B-12 such that when the compounded composition is added to the clear solution, the clear solution turns rose colored. By observing the rose color, the user can determine that the functional component has been added to the clear solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lenses, for example, contact lenses, and to contact lens cases having antimicrobial properties. More particularly, the invention relates to lenses and contact lens cases made from materials which comprise polymeric materials and effective antimicrobial components.

Abstract: Stabilized chlorine dioxide is a preservative for ophthalmic formulations. The stabilized chlorine dioxide, when employed as a preservative ophthalmic formulations is preferably present in an amount of from about 0.0002 or about 0.002 to about 0.02 weight/volume percent. The aqueous ophthalmic formulations, in addition to the stabilized chlorine dioxide and the water which functions as a vehicle for the formulations, contains an ophthalmically acceptable tonicity component effective to maintain the osmolality of the formulation at least about 200 mOsmol/kg, and a buffer to maintain the pH of the ophthalmic formulation within an acceptable physiological range. A method for preserving aqueous ophthalmic formulations utilizing stabilized chlorine dioxide is also set forth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lenses, for example, contact lenses, and to contact lens cases having antimicrobial properties. More particularly, the invention relates to lenses and contact lens cases made from materials which comprise polymeric materials and effective antimicrobial components.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to clean contact lenses are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present composition comprises at least at least one enzyme capable of removing debris from a contact lens and at least one disinfectant destroying component capable of destroying a contact lens disinfectant which is incompatible with the at least one enzyme. The composition is structured so that the at least one enzyme is released in a liquid medium containing the contact lens disinfectant at substantially the same time or after the at least one disinfectant destroying component is released in the liquid medium, thereby allowing the at least one enzyme to remove debris from a contact lens in the liquid medium.

Abstract: Methods for disinfecting a lens are disclosed. In one embodiment, the methods comprise contacting a lens, e.g., a contact lens, to be disinfected with a liquid medium containing stabilized chlorine dioxide and an activator component selected from chlorine dioxide reducing agents and mixtures thereof to effect formation of chlorine dioxide from the stabilized chlorine dioxide, thereby disinfecting the lens. Compositions and apparatus useful in the above-noted methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a contact lens is disclosed and comprises placing the contact lens to be disinfected into a liquid electrolyte containing chlorine dioxide precursor, e.g., stabilized chlorine dioxide, and forming a disinfecting amount of chlorine dioxide in the liquid electrolyte by passing an electric current through the liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A method for generating chlorine dioxide which involves contacting a stable precursor with a transition metal in a buffered aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting a lens is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a lens to be disinfected in a liquid medium with at least one chlorine dioxide precursor in the presence of at least one acidic component effective to increase the rate of formation of chlorine dioxide from the chlorine dioxide precursor, thereby disinfecting the lens; and adjusting the acidity of the liquid medium containing the disinfected lens. Compositions useful in the above-noted method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions, such as those used to care for contact lenses, methods of preserving such compositions, and methods for disinfecting contact lenses using certain of such compositions are disclosed. The compositions may comprise an ophthalmically acceptable, liquid aqueous medium and, included therein, an effective preserving or disinfecting amount of a combination of certain oxygen-containing ionene polymers and other antimicrobial agents, preferably certain urea components.