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 such compositions are disclosed. The compositions may comprise an ophthalmically acceptable, liquid aqueous medium and, included therein, an effective preserving or disinfecting amount of certain oxygen-containing ionene polymers.

Abstract: Compostions, and method useful for making such compositions and for using such compositions, which are useful to destroy hydrogen peroxide in a liquid aqueous medium, such as that used to disinfect contact lenses, are disclosed. The composition comprises at least one item containing a hydrogen peroxide destroying component, e.g., catalase, effective when released in a liquid aqueous medium to destroy or cause the destruction of hydrogen peroxide present in the liquid aqueous medium, and a barrier coating located on the at least one item and acting to substantially prevent the release of the hydrogen peroxide destroying component for a period of time after the composition is initially contacted with a hydrogen peroxide-containing liquid aqueous medium. The barrier coating comprises a water soluble coating component, e.g.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning, conditioning, storing and wetting rigid gas permeable contact lenses is provided. The system includes a cleaning, conditioning and storing solution and a separate wetting solution. Both solutions contain hydrophilic disinfectants or preservatives which do not inhibit proper wetting of rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The lenses are stored in the cleaning, conditioning and storing solution during nonwearing periods. This storage also acts as a secondary or backup cleaning treatment to help remove any residual contaminants after the primary cleaning with this solution.In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a preservative system is provided for a contact lens solution that comprises high purity benzyl alcohol.

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: A method and device for dispensing an aqueous fluid which is desired to be maintained in a sterile condition. The method includes storing a quantity of aqueous fluid such as ophthalmic saline solution in a reservoir within a portable container having an outlet. A porous filter medium is arranged within the container adjacent the outlet, and the aqueous ophthalmic fluid is caused to pass from the reservoir through the porous medium and to the outlet. The porous medium has covalently bonded thereto an antimicrobially effective amount of an organosilicon quaternary ammonium compound which is an organosilane. The organosilane can also be bonded to the inner and outer surfaces of the portable container.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting a contact lens comprises immersing the lens in an aqueous solution of H.sub.2 O.sub.2 having a pH of 4 or below and adding to the solution a neutralizing agent comprising a catalyst for decomposing any residual H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and a retarding agent for delaying the decomposition of the H.sub.2 O.sub.2 for a predetermined time in order to permit sterilization of the lens to be substantially complete. The retarding agent preferably comprises either a polymeric coating which dissolves gradually in the H.sub.2 O.sub.2 solution or a semipermeable membrane enveloping the catalyst. The neutralizing agent preferably also contains an auxiliary material which raises the pH of the acidic H.sub.2 O.sub.2 solution. The enzymatic decomposing agent can be embedded in a particulate carrier substance forming the bottom part of a two part container, the upper part of which contains an aqueous solution of H.sub.2 O.sub.

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.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting a contact lens contacts the lens with a sterilizing composition comprising about 0.0001% to 10.0% by weight peracetic acid for a time period sufficient to disinfect the lens, and then antiseptically removes the peracetic acid using a peracetic acid removing agent to leave the lens and the remaining composition sterile, biocompatible to the human eye, and isotonic to human tears. The peracetic acid removing agent can be a peracetic acid decomposition catalyst or a peracetic acid neutralizing compound.

Abstract: An ophthalmic solution comprising 0.1 to 0.9 % volume of povidone iodine in association with a suitable ophthalmic carrier. The solution is useful in treating various ophthalmic disorders such as follicular conjunctivitis and giant papillary conjunctivitis resulting from reaction to contact lenses, cosmetics and allergies among others. It is also useful in the treatment of ocular dryness resulting from post menopausal stage and from Sjogren's disease.

Abstract: Contact lens cleaning compositions containing a combination of an enzyme and a carboxy vinyl polymer, and a method of cleaning contact lenses with such compositions are described. The compositions are capable of cleaning soiled contact lenses very rapidly and completely due to a favorable interaction between the enzyme component and an abrasive precipitate formed by the carboxy vinyl polymer component when a small amount of the compositions is rubbed on the lenses.

Abstract: A non-irritating liquid cleansing composition is described for cleansing eyelids. The composition includes an aqueous solution of Miranol MS-2 present in a concentration of 7-10%; PEG-15 tallow polyamine present in a concentration of 0.1-0.5%; sodium chloride present in a concentration of 0.6-0.9%; at least one microbiological preservative selected from the group consisting of Quaternium-15 and benzyl alcohol present in a concentration of 0.1-0.5%; and as an optional ingredient disodium EDTA present in a concentration of up to 0.1%. The composition is non-irritating to the eyes, has a pH of between 8.0 and 8.5, and a viscosity very similar to water.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a soft contact lens with a stabilized aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a pH between about 5.5 and about 7.5, a hydrogen peroxide content of between about 0.5 and about 6% by weight, and containing between about 0.003 and about 0.03% by weight of diethylene triamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid) or a physiologically compatable salt thereof, and compositions for use in such method.

Abstract: A system and method for disinfecting contact lenses with a stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution and a separate neutralizing solution are described. Sodium stannate (a.k.a. sodium tin oxide) is utilized to stabilize the hydrogen peroxide, and sodium thiosulfate is utilized to neutralize the hydrogen peroxide. In addition to sodium thiosulfate, the neutralizing solution also contains a complexing agent capable of sequestering tin, such as EDTA or EGTA. The system and method provide improvements over prior hydrogen peroxide disinfection systems with respect to stability, predictability and rate of reaction.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting a contact lens using hydrogen peroxide, which method comprises conducting the hydrogen peroxide treatment of the lens in the presence of an immobilized enzyme which catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The invention also provides apparatus and a kit for treating contact lens. Preferably the enzyme is catalase, which may be immobilized by adsorption, by absorption, by covalent binding or by antibody complexing.

Abstract: An improved wetting solution for contact lenses is disclosed. The solution contains gelatin as a wetting agent in an amount less than 1% by weight of the solution so that the viscosity of the solution is substantially less than 15 CPS at 25.degree. C. The solution may also contain a biguanide as a preservative.

Abstract: A disinfecting solution for contact lenses, both hard lenses and flexible lenses, comprising an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid.

Abstract: A contact lens cleaning system, process and kit includes an aqueous chlorite solution and a solid component including an agent for accelerating decomposition of chlorite and an oxygen consumption agent. The chlorite decomposes to form free oxygen which removes impurities from a lens to be cleaned. The oxygen consuming agent prevents excess free oxygen from attacking the lens after the impurities have been removed.

Abstract: A one step method for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses is accomplished by immersing the lenses in a solution containing peroxide and a peroxide-active enzyme.

Abstract: Hydrophilic soft contact lenses are disinfected by soaking in a non-eye-irritant aqueous disinfecting solution obtained by the addition to tap water of a chlorhexidine salt, a sequestering agent for calcium and magnesium ions, and a dechlorinating agent. Suitably, the solution is obtained by dissolving a tablet in tap water. The preferred sequestering agent is sodium tripolyphosphate and the preferred dechlorinating agent is sodium thiosulphate. Advantageously, the chlorhexidine salt is provided in solid solution in urea to assist complete dissolution.

Abstract: An aqueous anti-microbial disinfectant solution for contact lenses contains an effective amount of an active ingredient which is an anti-microbial, organosilicon quaternary ammonium salt chemically bonded to a water soluble, high molecular weight organic polymer. The solution is non-toxic and non-irritating to the eye, and does not adsorb or penetrate into a contact lens.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing contact lenses and especially hydrophilic (soft) contact lenses comprising contacting a contact lens for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the lens with a substantially isotonic, aqueous composition having a pH between 6-9 comprising about 0.01 to about 0.3 percent by weight of an ene-diol compound and from about 0.1 to about 25 ppm copper ion. Preferred ene-diol compounds are dihydroxyfumaric acid and dihydroxymaleic acid.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing contact lenses and especially hydrophilic (soft) contact lenses comprising contacting a contact lens for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the lens with a substantially isotonic, aqueous composition having a pH between 6-9 comprising about 0.01 to about 0.3 percent by weight of an ene-diol compound such as reductic acid and from about 0.1 to about 25 ppm copper ion.

Abstract: A one step method for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses is accomplished by immersing the lenses in a solution containing peroxide and a peroxide-active enzyme.