Soft contact lens ambient temperature disinfectant solution and method
AssigneeSherman Laboratories, Inc.
InventorGuy J. Sherman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aqueous compositions for the ambient temperature or cold disinfection of soft contact lenses during non-wearing periods is provided. The composition includes water and a disinfectant composition comprising an effective amount of an ascorbic acid compound for killing bacteria, generally between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the total aqueous composition, calculated as ascorbic acid. The disinfectant composition may also include a potentiating agent to further enhance the kill factor of ascorbic acid with respect to fungi, yeasts and viruses. A method is provided for treating the lenses to kill bacteria associated with the lenses.
Claims16
A method of treating a contact lens to kill bacteria associated therewith comprising:
- (a) placing the lens in contact with an aqueous composition, said composition consisting essentially of water and a disinfectant ascorbic acid compound present in an effective amount to kill bacteria;
- and
- (b) maintaining the lens in contact with said aqueous composition for time sufficient to kill bacteria.
A method of treating a contact lens comprising completely immersing the lens in a composition comprising water and a disinfectant composition, said disinfectant composition consisting essentially of a compound selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate and mixtures thereof.
A method of disinfecting a contact lens comprising:
- (a) placing the lens in contact with a composition comprising water and a disinfectant composition, said disinfectant composition consisting essentially of first and second components, said first component selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate and mixtures thereof, said first component present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the total solution calculated as ascorbic acid, and said second component selected from the group consisting of trimethoprim, thimerosal and mixtures thereof, said second component present in an amount of between about 0.0001% and 5.0% by weight of the total component;
- and
- (b) maintaining the lens in contact with the solution for a time sufficient for disinfection of the lens.
A method for treating a contact lens comprising:
- mixing first and second components together to form a disinfecting composition, said first component consisting essentially of an ascorbic acid compound having disinfectant properties and present in an amount such that when mixed with said second component, said ascorbic acid compound is present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 20% by weight of the total composition, calculated as ascorbic acid, said first component optionally containing an effective amount of monothioglycerol for stabilizing said ascorbic acid compound, said second component consisting essentially of a potentiating agent for said ascorbic acid compound selected from the group consisting of trimethoprim, thimerosal and mixtures thereof, said poteniating agent present in an amount sufficient to provide a concentration, when both components are combined, of between about 0.0001% and 5.0% by weight of the total composition.
A composition for ambient temperature disinfection of contact lenses consisting essentially of:
- (a) an ascorbic acid compound selected from the group consisting of:
- ascorbic acid;
- a salt of ascorbic acid having disinfectant properties and compatible with the contact lenses;
- and mixtures thereof, said ascorbic acid compound present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 20.0% by weight of the total aqueous composition calculated on the basis of ascorbic acid;
- (b) potentiating agent selected from the group consisting of trimethoprim, thimerosal and mixtures thereof and present in an amount of between about 0.0001% and 5.0% by weight of the total aqueous composition;
- (c) monothioglycerol present in an effective amount for stabilizing said ascorbic acid or salt thereof;
- and
- (d) the composition being formulated in an atmosphere having substantially no free oxygen and packaged in a sealed container containing substantially no free oxygen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.