Bausch-Lomb Incorporated

Anil M Salpekar

O William Lever, Jr

Stephen Ronald Tonge

Henry P Dabrowski

Nimai C De

The present invention is directed to new and improved solutions for packaging contact lenses and to methods for treating contact lenses with such solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear. In particular, the present invention is directed to packing solutions comprising certain non-ionic surfactants containing a poly(oxyalkylene) copolymer and having a molecular weight of 4000 to 30,000. Such surfactants are retained on the surface of an unused lens for extended periods of time, resulting in surface modification that persists in the eye, thereby providing significant improvement in the wetting properties of fresh contact lenses used for the first time and, moreover, even several hours after lens insertion, preventing dryness and improving lubricity.

Contact lens packing solutions

An ophthalmic artificial tear solution is described for treating irritation and dryness of the eyes with a formulation that includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, a preservative such as benzalkonium chloride, glycerin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the composition is an aqueous solution having isotonic properties with respect to the eye. The ophthalmic solution of the invention is characterized as having a low viscosity, preferably less than 5 cps, and a low surface tension, preferably less than 40 dynes/cm, wherein wettability, retainability and comfort of the user are enhanced.

Opthalmic solution for artificial tears

A composition for delaying release of an active component into an aqueous fluid is taught which includes a capsule that swells in the presence of an aqueous fluid allowing moisture to enter the capsule into contact with a capsule decomposing agent activated by the entering moisture such that the agent decomposes the capsule sufficiently to release the active agent at a predetermined delayed time after the capsule contacts the aqueous fluid. A preferred capsule composition is gelatin and decomposing agents are a proteolytic enzyme or a salt that effects the osmotic gradient of the system. The controlled release composition of the invention is preferably utilized in a soft contact lens disinfecting system wherein a solution of hydrogen peroxide disinfects the lenses followed by neutralization of residual hydrogen peroxide wherein release of the neutralizing agent is delayed by means of the capsule proteolytic enzyme or salt composition.

Controlled release composition for active substances into an aqueous

Ophthalmic solution for artificial tears

A composition and method for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses is taught wherein the lenses are contacted with a composition including solid PVP-H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and a solid neutralizing component for neutralizing residual H.sub.2 O.sub.2. The composition may also include a preserved saline solution in which the composition components are contacted with the lenses substantially simultaneously. The neutralizer component may be a metal catalyst, a chemical salt or an enzyme. The effect of the neutralizer component may be delayed until after disinfecting is complete.

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Pittsford, NY, United States of America

Anil M Salpekar