Abstract: A cleaning solution for contact lenses is described that includes a carbohydrate that is a mono- or disaccharide, its alcohols or partially hydrolyzed esters or mixtures thereof. Preferred carbohydrates are sorbitol, glucose, maltose, sucrose, dulcitol, dextran, dextrin, mannitol, maltitol, or mannose, preferably in an amount of 0.001 to 10% by weight of an aqueous solution for cleaning the contact lenses. A preferred composition for cleaning contact lenses comprises sorbitol in an amount of about 0.1 to 1% by weight in an aqueous solution. A method for cleaning contact lenses with said carbohydrate cleaning solution is described and may be combined, for simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, with a chemical, antimicrobial agent or thermal disinfecting regimen.

Abstract: The invention is a method of administering therapeutic iodine for treating a disorder in a mammal. The invention comprises a step of feeding said mammal an effective amount of an oxidant for an iodine species and an iodine reductant which will cause oxidation-reduction reactions upon contact with the gastric juices present in the stomach of the mammal. This is done such that molecular iodine is generated in vivo at a ratio of molecular iodine to total iodine of above at least about 0.65. The invention also discloses a non-aqueous pharmaceutically acceptable carrier with said oxidant and reductant having the ability to cause oxidation-reduction reactions upon contact with the gastric juices present in the stomach of said mammal and in an amount sufficient to generate molecular iodine, in vivo, at a ratio of molecular iodine to total iodine of above at least about 0.65.

Abstract: Germicidal iodine based compositions are disclosed that consist of iodide anions, a source of peroxide and peroxidase in combination with iodine sequestering agents. The compositions are formed in situ in an aqueous based medium by combining a peroxide source, iodine ions or source thereof, a peroxidase classified within Enzyme Commission identification No. E.C. 1.11.1.7 and an iodine sequestrant. The addition of a sequestrant before the equilibration of the enzymatic reaction formed by admixing the composition with an aqueous based medium, provides for a non-reactive enzymatic composition. The resulting composition having an increase of available iodine concentration compared to an identical composition without an iodine sequestrant.

Abstract: A composition and method for cleaning and disinfecting of contact lenses that employ an electrical field applied to a lens that causes contaminating deposits to migrate therefrom is described. The composition of the invention includes a pair of component materials having different electrochemical potentials wherein the materials are substantially contained in a form wherein each material remains sufficiently physically separated when in contact with opposite sides of the lens such that the difference in electrochemical potential between the two materials is sufficient to cause charged contaminating deposits to migrate from the lens. The method of the invention requires placing a contaminated lens between a pair of component materials having different electrochemical potentials wherein physical separation is maintained, preferably, by including one of the components in a gel while the other component is in solution or another gel.