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: Total and partial esters of alginic acid which possess important bioplastic and pharmaceutical qualities and are useful in various fields including medical, surgical, cosmetics and foods.

Abstract: A flexible ocular insert device adapted for the controlled sustained release of an ophthalmic drug into the eye. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated body of a polymeric material in the form of a rod or tube containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and with at least two anchoring protrusions extending radially outwardly from the body. The device has a length of at least 8 mm and the diameter of its body portion including the protrusions does not exceed 1.9 mm. The sustained release mechanism may, for example, be by diffusion or by osmosis or bioerosion. The insert device is advantageously inserted into the upper or lower fornix of the eye so as to be independent of movement of the eye by virtue of the fornix anatomy. The protrusions may be of various shapes such as, for example, ribs, screw threads, dimples or bumps, truncated cone-shaped segments or winding braid segments.

Abstract: Azlactone-functional substrates, (especially hydrogels), mammalian body implants, and methods of making and using them are disclosed. The azlactone-functional substrates are the reaction product of substrates having azlactone-reactive nucleophilic surfaces and a multi-functional azlactone composition having at least two azlactone moieties, where at least one moiety covalently couples to the azlactone-reactive nucleophilic surface and at least one moiety remains available for further nucleophilic reaction, such as with a biologically active material. A preferred use of azlactone-functional hydrogel is as the optical element of a corneal prosthesis which enhances epithethial cell growth.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for the sublingual or buccal administration of therapeutic agents (particularly polypeptides) which are normally degraded upon oral administration comprise such a therapeutic agent, a solvent, optionally a cosolvent and/or hydrogel, and an oral mucosal membrane transport enhancing agent which is selected from the group consisting of essential and volatile oils and inorganic and organic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to an uncrosslinked hydrogel, its process of preparon as well as its uses as an article for medical and/or surgical purposes such as tubes, filaments, films, joints, implants and the like, especially in ophthalmology. The uncrosslinked hydrogel has a relatively high water content and is constituted from a liquid starting composition which comprises 2 to 50% of a copolymer of acrylonitrile and an olefinically unsaturated comonomer bearing aninic groups, possible salified, the molar ratio arcylonitrile-comonomer being comprised between 90:10 and 100:0, a suitable solvent and a suitable non-solvent of said copolymer. The ratio solvent/non-solvent is comprised between 500:1 and 0.5:1 by weight, said hydrogel having a microporous structure, an ionic capacity comprised between 0 and 500 mEq/kg of gel, a hydric content compressed between 50 and 98% and having an aptitude for permanent deformation under stress, even at a temperature below 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Method and refractive errors of the eye are disclosed. Accelerated reshaping of the corneal tissue is accomplished by releasing enzyme(s) and/or other agents into the cornea which temporarily soften the cornea. The convex cornea is thereafter fitted with a rigid contact lens(es) which has a concave curvature that will correct the refractive error. The softened cornea then rapidly reshapes its convex curvature to the concave curvature of the contact lens rendering the eye emmetropic. The enzyme/agent then dissipates from the cornea as it "hardens" to retain the new emmetropic shape and the lens is removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of an optical lens providing refractive index modulation, characterized in that, starting from a lens of transparent hydrophilic polymer preferably of the hydrogel type, which has previously been shaped, the lens is impregnated with a photopolymerizable composition containing at least one monomer and a photoinitiator, which are in solution in water in the case of a hydrogel, the impregnated lens is subjected to locally modulated irradiation so as to cause local selective polymerization of the monomer, whereupon the excess non-hardened photoinitiator and non-pulverizable monomer is removed.

Abstract: A method of imparting antimicrobial activity to an ophthalmic composition includes the step of adding a polyquaternary ammonium salt to the composition. The method may be employed, for example, for disinfecting a contact lens or preserving a solution, ointment or suspension.

Abstract: A drug delivery ophthalmic insert prepared by forming a water soluble solid polymer into a paste by the addition of a small fixed amount of water, drying the paste and then sectioning the paste into a plurality of rod shaped inserts is provided. The insert is rendered suitable for prolonged and sustained delivery of medication to the eye since it is formed by the addition of a small amount of water and has a surface area less than about 3 mm.sup.2. Specific water soluble solid polymers which may be used include methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, alginic acid and combinations thereof as well as mixtures of pilocarpine dispersed in methylcellulose and its combinations.

Abstract: An antibacterial contact lens material comprising a hydrogel lens material and an antibacterial ceramic containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu and Zn. The lens material contains from 0.001-10.0% by weight of the antibacterial ceramic and the ceramic from 0.0001 to 10.0% by weight of the metal based on the weight of the ceramic.

Abstract: A method and device for delivering a drug to the cornea and anterior chamber of an eye are disclosed. A drug is entrapped in microspheres of poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), a copolymer of lactic acid and glycolic acid, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), or a mixture of poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid). The microspheres are combined with a hydrophilic polymer and placed in contact with the eye.

Abstract: Treatment of contact lenses by an effective amount of bendazac, 5-hydroxybendazac or a salt thereof with a physiologically acceptable base.

Abstract: Total esters of alginic acid with aliphatic and araliphatic alcohols possess important bioplastic and pharmaceutical qualities and are useful in various fields including the sanitary and surgical fields.

Abstract: Glycosaminoglycan polysulfates (GAGPS) have been found to be useful in ophthalmic medications in the prevention and treatment of eye injuries. Particularly useful are GAGPS having a molecular weight in the range of 5,000-20,000 daltons. GAGPS-containing ophthalmic medications are usefully combined with an antibiotic in the treatment of ocular fungal or bacterial infections or with an antibiotic in the treatment of fungal or bacteria infections or with an anti-glaucoma agent, such as pilocarpine or epinephrine, in the treatment of glaucoma. Also, of particular usefulness are GAGPS solutions or dispersions used to enhance healing after corneal abrasion or surgical insult.

Abstract: An ocular insert for insertion into the cul de sac of the eye which is a substantially circular disc having a concave posterior surface and a convex anterior surface with a radius of curvature less than that of the sclera and a center thickness of less than about 1.5 mm.

Abstract: Ophthalmologic collagen coverings derived from animal eyes and a process for preparing such coverings comprising treatment of a fibrous tunic of an animal eye with an alkali metal hydroxide in a saturated solution of a salt of an alkali metal, followed by neutralization, dissolution in an aqueous solution of an organic acid, purification of the resulting solution of collagen by dialysis against a buffer solution while bringing the solution of collagen to a pH of 4.5 to 7.5 and drying the thus-obtained solution of collagen simultaneously with shaping spherical coverings therefrom.

Abstract: A hydrophilic contact lens is disclosed incorporating melanin that protects the eye from harmful radiation and superoxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medium incorporating melanin for radiation protection.

Abstract: Ophthalmologic collagen coverings derived from animal eyes and a process preparing such coverings comprising treatment of a fibrous tunic of an animal eye with an alkali metal hydroxide in a saturated solution of a salt of an alkali metal, followed by neutralization, dissolution in an aqueous solution of an organic acid, purification of the resulting solution of collagen by dialysis against a buffer solution while bringing the solution of collagen to a pH of 4.5 to 7.5 and drying the thus-obtained solution of collagen simultaneously with shaping spherical coverings therefrom.

Abstract: Ophthalmologic collagen coverings derived from animal eyes and a process preparing such coverings comprising treatment of a fibrous tunic of an animal eye with an alkali metal hydroxide in a saturated solution of a salt of an alkali metal, followed by neutralization, dissolution in an aqueous solution of an organic acid, purification of the resulting solution of collagen by dialysis against a buffer solution while bringing the solution of collagen to a pH of 4.5 to 7.5 and drying the thus-obtained solution of collagen simultaneously with shaping spherical coverings therefrom.

Abstract: Ophthalmologic collagen coverings derived from animal eyes and a process preparing such coverings comprising treatment of a fibrous tunic of an animal eye with an alkali metal hydroxide in a saturated solution of a salt of an alkali metal, followed by neutralization, dissolution in an aqueous solution of an organic acid, purification of the resulting solution of collagen by dialysis against a buffer solution while bringing the solution of collagen to a pH of 4.5 to 7.5 and drying the thus-obtained solution of collagen simultaneously with shaping spherical coverings therefrom.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to vinylic macromers containing perfluoropolyalkylether and polyalklether segments, polymers and ophthalmic devices such as intraocular implants and contact lenses and particularly soft hydrogel contact lenses made therefrom.

Abstract: Wound healing dressings are prepared by flocculating fibronectin, a biologically active fragment or an analog thereof to produce a water-swellable gel. The gels, in the form of sheets, strips, wedges, strands or I-shaped cross-sections, are especially useful in promoting the healing of corneal, scleral dermal, incisional wounds or lesions. They can be used to enhance the results obtained in keratorefractive surgeries and the healing scleral incision for intraocular surgery.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an ion-exchange resin, a cross-linking agent, an optical hydrophobic polymer and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of tear secretion. The method involves topically applying to the ocular surface melanocyte stimulating hormones, and their active precursors, derivatives, and fragments which activate melanotropin receptors of lacrimal gland tissue. The preparation contains a melanocyte stimulating hormone, and a vehicle for a melanocyte stimulating hormone and may also contain an ophthalmic preservative.

Abstract: An improved, viscous, transparent, pyrogen-free, isotonic, succinylated atelocollagen solution provides an effective medium for use in viscosurgery and as a replacement for vitreous.

Abstract: A soft flexible corneal device having a diameter smaller than the cornea and a central open pupil aperture substantially the size of the pupil of the eye. The device has a concave surface radius shorter than the convex corneal radius. The concave device center of curvature is positioned to allow the inner pupil device edge and the peripheral outer device edge to both be tangent to the corneal surface. The convex surface of the device has a radius of curvature shorter than the concave surface and is also tangent to both the inner pupil edge and the outer peripheral device edge. When placed on the cornea the concave surface of the soft flexible device assumes the convex curvature of the cornea.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an amino acid polymer, a cross-linking agent, and an optional hydrophobic monomer and/or a chain regulator in conjunction with a lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4), polar solvent and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an amino acid polymer, a cross-linking agent, an optional hydrophobic polymer and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.