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: 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: 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: Methods for disinfecting a lens is disclosed. The methods comprise contacting a lens to be disinfected in a liquid medium with at least one chlorine dioxide precursor in the presence of at least one activator component selected from organic acid anhydrides, oxygen-releasing components and mixtures thereof to effect formation of chlorine dioxide from the chlorine dioxide precursor, thereby disinfecting the lens. Compositions 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: A method for disinfection a device such as a contact lens. The method comprises contacting the device with an aqueous liquid medium containing an effective amount of chlorine dioxide at effective disinfecting conditions. The chlorine dioxide being derived by contacting a liquid medium containing chlorine dioxide precursor with a transition metal component in an effective amount to promote the generation of chlorine dioxide from the chlorine dioxide precursor. The liquid medium further optionally containing a buffer component in an amount effective to maintain the liquid medium at a desired pH during the generation of chlorine dioxide, and to increase the rate of chlorine dioxide generation from chlorine dioxide precursor relative to a similar liquid medium without the buffer component.

Abstract: A method for signaling a lens user when the user's lenses are overworn. The lenses have applied a handling tint, and the lenses are disinfected in an oxidant solution. The amount of tint added to the lens is such that after soaking the lens for a predetermined period of time in the disinfectant solution, over the expected lifetime of the lens, a noticeable change in the appearance of the handling tint is observed. If the lens is intended to have a fixed lifetime, and the lens is intended to be soaked in a disinfectant solution on a regular basis and for a fixed period of time for the lens lifetime, the amount of the handling tint in the lens can be adjusted such that the handling tint is bleached out or changes color after the lens undergoes regular disinfection within the predetermined lens lifetime.

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: 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 contact lens is disclosed. This method comprises contacting a contact lens to be disinfected in a liquid medium with chlorine dioxide present in an amount effective to disinfect the contact lens to be disinfected.