Method for enzymatic cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using a proteolytic enzyme in aqueous solution, (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, and (3) deactivating the enzyme, comprising placing the lenses in a solution comprising a protease dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses and denature the protease.

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using a microbial-derived proteolytic enzyme in aqueous solution, and (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, comprising placing the lenses in a solution comprising a microbial-derived proteolytic enzyme dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less, sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses.

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using an activator-free microbial-derived proteolytic enzyme in aqueous solution, and (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, comprising placing the lenses in an activator-free solution comprising an activator-free microbial-derived proteolytic enzyme dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less, sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses.

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using a proteolytic enzyme derived from a Bacillus or Streptomyces bacteria or an Aspergillus mold in aqueous solution, and (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, comprising placing the lenses in a solution comprising a proteolytic enzyme derived from a Bacillus or Streptomyces bacteria or an Aspergillus mold dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less, sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses.

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using an activator-free proteolytic enzyme derived from a Bacillus or Streptomyces bacteria or an Aspergillus mold in aqueous solution, and (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, comprising placing the lenses in an activator-free solution comprising an activator-free proteolytic enzyme derived from a Bacillus or Streptomyces bacteria or an Aspergillus mold dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less, sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses.

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using a proteolytic enzyme derived from B. subtilis in aqueous solution, and (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, comprising placing the lenses in a solution comprising a proteolytic enzyme derived from B. subtilis dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less, sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses.

A single step method for simultaneously (1) cleaning contact lenses of proteinaceous and other deposits using an activator-free proteolytic enzyme derived from B. subtilis in aqueous solution, and (2) disinfecting the contact lenses, comprising placing the lenses in an activator-free solution comprising an activator-free proteolytic enzyme derived from B. subtilis dissolved in water at about room temperature and then heating the solution and lenses to an elevated temperature of more than 60.degree. C. and less than 100.degree. C. for a period of time of 60 minutes or less, sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses.