Methods of maintaining ocular tissue cell membrane integrity using cetylpyridinium chloride

Abstract

A multi-purpose contact lens care solution having high antimicrobial activity comprising, in an aqueous liquid medium, cetylpyridinium chloride and a non-ionic surfactant. In one embodiment of the invention, the non-ionic surfactant is a poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer. The solution may optionally also include additional antimicrobial components, a buffer component, a viscosity inducing component, a surfactant, taurine, propylene glycol and/or a tonicity component. This solution additionally prevents losses in ocular tissue membrane integrity during contact lens wear.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for maintaining ocular tissue cell membrane integrity during contact lens wear comprising contacting the lens with an aqueous solution comprising from about 0.1 to about 10 ppm of cetylpyridinium chloride and a poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer surfactant in an amount effective to clean a contact lens contacted with said solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method for disinfecting according  claim 14 , wherein the aqueous solution further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a second antimicrobial agent, a viscosity inducing agent, a chelating agent, a buffer, taurine and a tonicity component. 
     
     
         16 . A method for maintaining ocular tissue cell membrane integrity during contact lens wear comprising contacting a lens positioned in a user's eye with an isotonic aqueous solution comprising:
 an aqueous liquid medium;   at least about 0.1 to about 10 ppm cetylpyridinium chloride;   taurine in an amount effective to protect ocular tissue cell membranes;   a poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer surfactant in an amount effective to clean a contact lens contacted with said solution;   a buffer component in an amount effective in maintaining the pH of said solution within a physiologically acceptable range;   a viscosity inducing component selected from the group consisting of cellulosic derivatives and mixtures thereof in the range of about 0.05% to about 5.0% (w/v) of the total solution;   a chelating component in an amount of less than 0.05% (w/v) of the total solution;
 and a tonicity component in an amount effective in providing the desired tonicity to said solution. 
   
     
     
         17 . A process for mitigating ocular tissue insult comprising:
 administering an aqueous liquid medium to a user's eye, the aqueous liquid medium comprising:   at least about 0.1 to about 10 ppm cetylpyridinium chloride;   and a poly(oxypropylene)-poly(oxyethylene) block copolymer surfactant in an amount effective in cleaning a contact lens contacted with said solution.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein administering step is conducted so that the aqueous liquid medium is temporarily emplaced in the user's eye. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein administering step is conducted so that uptake of the aqueous liquid medium into at least one of a soft-contact lens and a rigid gas permeable lens is achieved. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the aqueous liquid medium further comprises a second antimicrobial component. 
     
     
         21 - 56 . (canceled)