Stabilization of poly(oxyalkylene) containing polymeric materials

A method for sterilizing a medical device having a core material and/or a coating, wherein the core material and the coating, independently of each other, are made of a poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material, the method comprising:

• autoclaving the medical device in a solution containing a water-soluble and biocompatible organic multi-acid or biocompatible salt thereof in an amount sufficient to improve the stability of the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material, so that the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material has a decreased susceptibility to oxidative degradation characterized by having at least an 1.5-fold reduction of the amount of detectable formic acid and optionally other degradation by-products.

An aqueous solution for sterilizing and/or storing an ophthalmic device, wherein the ophthalmic device is made of a poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material, the aqueous solution having:

• a biocompatible organic multi-acid or biocompatible salt thereof in an amount sufficient to improve the stability of the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material;
• an osmolarity of about 200 to 450 milli-osmole in 1000 ml (unit:
• mOsm/ml), wherein the aqueous solution is capable of improving the stability of the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material, so that the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material has a reduced susceptibility to oxidative degradation characterized by having at least an 1.5-fold reduction of the amount of detectable formic acid and optionally other degradation by-products.