American Optical Corporation

Warner-Lambert Company

Albert R LeBoeuf

Edward A Travnicek

Patricia M Cuffe

William R Grovesteen

A container with a liquid-impervious, vapor-permeable membrane for sterilizing lenses and storing them using the buffered hydrogen peroxide saline solution. The container is also provided with catalytic means to decompose the hydrogen peroxide following termination of the sterilizing period with the membrane permitting escape of the gases produced by the decomposition while preventing passage of liquid therethrough.

Device for single solution contact lens sterilization

Homopolymers and copolymers of compounds according to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons, a+b+c+d=e, b=O to e, c=O to e, b+c&gt;1, d=0 to 5, e=1 to 100, and Y is an organic group containing at least one&gt;C.dbd.C&lt;are hydrophilic as well as exhibiting properties similar to silicone compounds. The polymers are particularly useful in contact lenses having enhanced oxygen permeability.

Hydrophilic silicone compounds and contact lenses containing polymers

Homopolymers and copolymers of compounds according to the formula; ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons, a+b+c+d=e, b=0 to e, c=0 to e, b+c&gt;1, d=0 to 5, e=1 to 100, and Y is an organic group containing at least one &gt;C=C&lt; are hydrophilic as well as exhibiting properties similar to silicone compounds. The polymers are particularly useful in contact lenses having enhanced oxygen permeability.

Contact lenses containing hydrophilic silicone polymers

Acrylic siloxanes having the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is selected from the class of hydrogen or methyl groups, 'a' is an integer from one to five, 'b' is an integer from zero to seven, 'c' is an integer from zero to two, 'd' is an integer from zero to one, A is selected from the class of methyl or phenyl groups, R.sub.2 is selected from the class of methyl or phenyl groups, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent either no group (cyclic ring from 'c' to 'd') or methyl or phenyl groups, act synergistically with vinyl pyrrolidone and hydroxy ethyl methacrylate to provide optically clear moderate water containing contact lenses of substantially increased oxygen permeability.

Contact lens composition having increased oxygen permeability

Polymeric rods suitable for manufacturing contact lenses may be improved by casting the rod in Teflon or in a Teflon-coated tube. Contact lens materials containing NVP as a monomer are preferably cast in tubes made of Teflon or having Teflon coating on the interior surface. The rods thus cast are substantially free of strain, have a uniform diameter, a smooth, continous exterior surface and an absence of voids therein. When initial polymerization is conducted at a moderate temperature in a water bath, the mixture is polymerized homogeneously to provide superior uniformity.

Process for casting polymer rods

Lens material suitable for ophthalmological use including implantation in the eye as an intraocular lens and as an ultra thin contact lens. The lenses are fabricated of polymethylmethacrylate (hereinafter PMMA) which PMMA is characterized by its very high molecular weight and almost complete freedom from strain. The PMMA may optionally be lightly cross-linked. The lens material is characterized by good machinability, color uniformity, and optical quality. It is substantially strain free and free from warpage when fabricated into extremely thin lenses.

Material for fabrication of artificial intraocular lenses and hard

A dimensionally stable, shaped eye bandage for medicament delivery comprises polymerized random graft copolymers containing (in the dry state) from 67.2% to 79.3% HEMA; from 14.25% to 35% PVP; from 0.1% to 4.04% EDMA; from 0.1% to 2.5% MA; from 0.1% to 5.0% water; from 0 to 4 ppm HQ inhibitor; and from 50 to 250 ppm MEHQ inhibitor. The eye bandage composition contains from 45% to 65% water after hydration. An improved method for shaping, polymerizing, and cutting and hydrating the eye bandage composition is provided. The polymerization is conducted using only a low temperature initiator, by de-gassing prior to polymerization to remove substantially all oxygen, and by conducting the initial polymerization reaction at from 23.degree. C to 30.degree. C for 16 to 30 hours, during which the heat of the reaction is continuously absorbed to control the reaction exotherm. A closed, rod-shaped casting mold, lined with a polyester film material, is used and the polymeric rod obtained may be cut, machined and polished to obtain the shaped eye bandage. Thereafter, hydration is conducted in a buffered, 0.85% to 0.9% saline solution, at a pH of 7.0 to 7.1.

Dimensionally stable shaped eye bandages

A process for preparing an abrasion resistant allyl diglycol carbonate lens is provided. The allyl diglycol carbonate lens prepared by the process of the invention has an abrasion resistant coating thereon comprised of a transparent base of a hydrolyzed polysilicic acid ester and polyvinyl alcohol comprising 90 to 100% hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate.

Growing community of inventors

Sturbridge, MA, United States of America

Albert R LeBoeuf