Packaging solutions

Abstract

A packaging system for the storage of an ophthalmic device, such as a hydrogel contact lens, employs an aqueous packaging solution including a nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol and a nonionic polymeric conditioning agent. Preferably, the solution has an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsm / kg, a pH of about 6 to about 8 and is heat sterilized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention generally relates to packaging solutions for ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Blister-packs and glass vials are typically used to individually package each soft contact lens for sale to a customer. Saline or deionized water is commonly used to store the lens in the blister-packs, as mentioned in various patents related to the packaging or manufacturing of contact lenses. Because lens material may tend to stick to itself and to the lens package, packaging solutions for blister-packs have sometimes been formulated to reduce or eliminate lens folding and sticking. For this reason, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been used in contact lens packaging solutions. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,366 discloses contact lens packaging solutions comprising polyethylene oxide (PEO) / polypropylene oxide (PPO) block copolymers, especially poloxamers or poloxamines.[0005]It h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010](b) packaging the solution and the device in a manner preventing contamination of the device by microorganisms; and

[0018]By combining a nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol and a nonionic polymeric conditioning agent to form a packaging solution, it has been discovered that the combination lowers the surface friction of a contact lens over that of a lens stored in a buffered saline solution or a lens stored in a buffered saline solution containing a conditioning polymer, thus increasing the lubricity of the lens surface. Thus, the lens will be more comfortable to wear in actual use and would allow for the extended wear of the lens without irritation or other adverse effects to the cornea.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the difficulties of adding a surfactant to a packaging solution, including the possibility of lowering shelf-life and / or adverse reactions during heat sterilization, have further limited the use of surfactants in a packaging solution for the purpose of providing any possible or marginal effect on lens comfort.

Nevertheless, many people who wear contact lenses still experience dryness or eye irritation throughout the day and particularly towards the end of the day.

An insufficiently wetted lens at any point in time will cause significant discomfort to the lens wearer.

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