Ophthalmic lens with anti-toxin agent
AssigneeJohnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
InventorsDouglas G. Vanderlaan, Susan K. Brown-Skrobot, Clyde L. Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ophthalmic lens for placement on the anterior surface of the eye is disclosed. The lens has impregnated in it or it has coated on its surface an ester of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid in which the alcohol residue has at least one hydroxyl group. The ester is present in an amount which is effective to prevent or decrease the release of bacterial toxins when the lens is exposed to those toxins. The lens is particularly well-suited for a soft hydrogel contact lens, and advantageously eliminates, minimizes or prevents keratitis. Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea of the eye which may occur during extended wear of the lens and may cause ulceration of the cornea.
Claims14
A contact lens having impregnated therein, or coated on the surface thereof, an ester of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid, said ester of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid being present in an amount between about 0.05 and about 5.0 percent of the weight of the lens, and said ester being selected from the group consisting of:
- a) monoesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid containing from eight to eighteen carbon atoms and wherein said monoester has at least one hydroxyl group associated with its aliphatic alcohol residue;
- b) diesters of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid containing from eight to eighteen carbon atoms and wherein said diester has at least one hydroxyl group associated with its aliphatic alcohol residue;
- and
- c) mixtures of said monoesters and diesters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.