Eye lubricant
AssigneeMeibomian Solutions LLC
InventorsClifford Michael Terry, Alice T. Epitropoulos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mixture for enhancing eye lubrication comprises a plurality of microspheres having diameters ranging from about 5-40 microns combined with an aqueous component comprising water. The microspheres can be coated with oil. When the mixture is applied to the surface of a user's eyes, the microparticles will enhance lubrication during blinking and partially lift eyelids so that other components of the mixture can be better distributed beneath the eyelids. An oil can be added to the mixture. Preferably the oil is configured so that, when the mixture is agitated, it forms a temporary, thermodynamically unstable emulsion from which the oil quickly disassociates when the mixture is applied to the eye. The oil thus is quickly available to enhance lubrication performance.
Claims20
A mixture for administration to a surface of an eye, comprising:
- an aqueous portion comprising water;
- an oil component;
- and
- microparticles having a range of sizes between 1 and 60 microns in diameter, wherein:
- the mixture is disposed within an eye dropper bottle;
- the oil component is separated from the aqueous portion within the eye dropper bottle;
- the microparticles are disposed within the oil component;
- the oil component and microparticles are mixed within the aqueous portion upon shaking to form a temporary emulsion;
- and
- the microparticles are buoyant relative to the aqueous portion.
A mixture for administration to a surface of an eye, comprising:
- an aqueous portion;
- an oil component;
- and
- microparticles having a range of sizes between 1 and 60 microns in diameter, the microparticles being buoyant relative to the aqueous portion and having a spherical configuration, wherein:
- the mixture is disposed within an eye dropper bottle;
- the oil component is separated from the aqueous portion and disposed as a layer over the aqueous portion within the eye dropper bottle;
- the microparticles are disposed within the oil component;
- and
- an agitator is disposed within the eye dropper bottle for mixing the oil component and the microparticles within the aqueous portion to form a temporary emulsion upon shaking.
A method of providing therapy to dry eyes, comprising:
- providing a mixture for administration to an eye, the mixture comprising an oil component, an aqueous portion, and microparticles, wherein:
- the mixture is disposed within an eye dropper bottle;
- the microparticles have diameters between about 5 and 60 microns;
- the oil component is separated from the aqueous portion within the eye dropper bottle;
- the microparticles are disposed within the oil component and buoyant relative to the aqueous portion;
- and
- shaking the mixture to form a temporary emulsion;
- and
- administering the temporary emulsion to a surface of the eye.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.