Abstract: A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating select regions of the optical, polymeric material with a focused, visible or near-IR laser having a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ. The irradiation results in the formation of refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss. The method can he used to modify the refractive index of an intraocular lens following the surgical implantation of the intraocular lens in a human eye. The invention is also directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss and are characterized by a positive change in refractive index.

Abstract: A laser system for modifying the index of refraction of an optical hydrogel material. The laser system comprises a computer program to determine the position and shape of refractive structures to be written into the optical hydrogel material to correct a patient's vision, and a focused laser that generates laser light having a wavelength of from 400 nm to 900 nm, and which operates with an average power of 10 mW to 1000 mW to produce a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ with a peak intensity at focus of greater than 1013 W/cm2. The refractive structures exhibit a change in the index of refraction of 0.01 to 0.06 in the optical hydrogel material.

Abstract: A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating select regions of the optical, polymeric material with a focused, visible or near-IR laser having a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ. The irradiation results in the formation of refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss. The method can he used to modify the refractive index of an intraocular lens following the surgical implantation of the intraocular lens in a human eye. The invention is also directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss and are characterized by a positive change in refractive index.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, wherein the refractive structures are characterized by a change in refractive index, exhibit little or no scattering loss, and exhibit no significant differences in the Raman spectrum with respect to the non-irradiated optical, polymeric material.

Abstract: A composition of a long-acting enzyme comprises the enzyme in a formulation comprising a buffer and an additive selected from the group consisting of tranexamic acid, ?-aminocaproic acid, and analogs of L-lysine other than tranexamic acid and ?-aminocaproic acid, combinations thereof, and mixtures thereof. The composition can further comprise another additive selected from the group consisting of L-lysine, L-arginine, L-ornithine (or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts; e.g., L-ornithine hydrochloride), ?-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminovaleric acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, glycylglycine, triglycine, N-?-acetyl-L-arginine, betaine, sarcosine, gelatin, HSA, streptokinase, tPA, uPA, non-ionic surfactants, glycerin, D-sorbitol, combinations thereof, and mixtures thereof. A method for prolonging the activity of an autodegradable enzyme comprises storing the enzyme after manufacture at a low pH, and reconstituting the acidified enzyme before use with a solution containing at least one of such additives.

Abstract: A method of protecting tissue from trauma during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the step of coating at least a portion of the tissue with a viscoelastic composition comprising: a mixture of hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the concentration of hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof is a minimum of about 0.1% w/v and a maximum of about 6% w/v and the concentration of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a minimum of about 0.05% w/v and a maximum of about 5% w/v, based upon the total volume of the viscoelastic composition; tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane at a maximum of about 50 mM and a minimum of about 0.1 mM based upon the total weight of the viscoelastic composition; and a hexahydric alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating inflammation of the eye comprising administering to an eye of a patient suffering from inflammation of the eye, a composition comprising an aqueous solution of alginate having a minimum of about 50% mannuronate residues based upon the total number of saccharide monomeric units.

Abstract: Compositions for relief, treatment, or prevention of a condition of dry eye comprise alginate, at least a polyol, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the compositions have pH in the range from about 5 to about 7.5. In some embodiment, the compositions can further include a chelating agent, a buffering system or agent, an organic acid, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic composition comprising alginate having a minimum of about 0% and a maximum of about 50% guluronic units bound to an adjacent guluronic unit as a percentage of the total number of monomeric units in the alginate. The composition further includes a cationic antimicrobial agent. The alginate set forth above forms less deactivating complexes with cationic antimicrobial agent, and thus, the composition has improved preservative efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating inflammation of the eye comprising administering to an eye of a patient suffering from inflammation of the eye, a composition comprising an aqueous solution of alginate having a minimum of about 50% mannuronate residues based upon the total number of saccharide monomeric units.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating a patient suffering from mucin deficiency comprising administering to an eye of a patient suffering from mucin deficiency, a composition comprising an active pharmaceutical selected from the group consisting of acetate, propionate or butyrate in their salt or acid forms and combinations thereof, wherein the active pharmaceutical is present in an amount effective to increase production of mucin in the eye of the mucin deficient patient.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of treating a patient comprising mucin deficiency comprising administering to an eye of a patient suffering from mucin deficiency, a composition comprising alginate in an amount effective to increase production of mucin in the mucin deficient patient.

Abstract: A method for making an ocular drug delivery device, the method comprising providing a drug delivery device comprising a core comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more pharmaceutically active agents and a first polymeric material, and a shell covering the core, the shell comprising a second polymeric material which is permeable to passage of the active agent, wherein the first and/or second polymeric material include one or more contaminants and wherein the drug delivery device is sized and configured for implantation or injection in eye tissue; and subjecting the drug delivery device to a supercritical fluid to remove the contaminants.

Abstract: A drug delivery device that is suitable for delivery of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions of the eye is provided. Preferred devices of the invention are minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area.

Abstract: A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating select regions of the optical, polymeric material with a focused, visible or near-IR laser having a pulse energy from 0.05 nJ to 1000 nJ. The irradiation results in the formation of refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss. The method can be used to modify the refractive index of an intraocular lens following the surgical implantation of the intraocular lens in a human eye. The invention is also directed to an optical device comprising refractive optical structures, which exhibit little or no scattering loss and are characterized by a positive change in refractive index.

Abstract: A method of forming the sharp posterior edge of an intraocular lens (IOL) by using a laser to cut or ablate the edge of the IOL substantially cylindrically around the lens axis. The IOL is manufactured with a radius slightly larger than the final lens radius, polished, and then trimmed with the laser to produce the desired final lens shape with the sharp posterior edge. The cutting or ablation process is programmed to avoid damaging the haptic extensions of the lens. The use of a laser cutting or ablation process simplifies and accelerates the production of the lens.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the amount of cosmetic defects in contact lenses made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. By filtering the monomer mixture with a filter, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are finely dispersed throughout the mixture. Dissolved gases contained within the mixture are also finely dispersed. Contact lenses produced from this method have improved optical quality.