Ophthalmic composition

Abstract

The present invention provides an ophthalmic composition which stabilizes the tear film during wearing contact lens, prevents eye dryness, imparts a favorable sensation in using, is highly convenient with no risk of misuse and shows a high efficiency in the course from manufacturing to sales. More specifically, the present invention provides a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses comprising (A) one or more member(s) selected from the group consisting of a cellulose-based polymer, a vinyl-based polymer, polyethylene glycol and dextran; and (B) a terpenoid.

1 . A method of using a composition comprising (A) one or more member(s) selected from the group consisting of a cellulose-based polymer, a vinyl-based polymer, polyethylene glycol and dextran; and (B) a terpenoid as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses, said method comprising successively
 (i) adding said composition directly to a contact lens dropwise in order to wet said contact lens before fitting said contact lens, 
 (ii) fitting said contact lens to an eye, and 
 (iii) wetting said contact lens by applying said composition to said eye during wearing of said contact lens. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein the component (A) is a cellulose-based polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 2 , wherein the cellulose-based polymer is one or more member(s) selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, and salts thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein said composition comprises the component (A) in an amount of 0.0001 to 25 (w/v) %. 
     
     
         5 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein the terpenoid is menthol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises the component (B) in an amount of 0.0001 to 0.1 (w/v) %. 
     
     
         7 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises (C) a nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         8 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 7 , wherein the component (C) is one or more member(s) selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil and polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the component (C) is polysorbate 80. 
     
     
         10 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 7 , wherein said composition comprises the component (C) in an amount of 0.001 to 5 (w/v) %. 
     
     
         11 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens is a soft contact lens. 
     
     
         12 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 11 , wherein the soft contact lens is essentially in soft contact lens Group IV. 
     
     
         13 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 11 , wherein the soft contact lens is a soft contact lens made of silicone-hydrogel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein a viscosity value of said composition at 20° C. is 1.1 mPa·s or more. 
     
     
         15 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , wherein the interval between the use as a contact lens wetting solution and the first application to eyes after fitting the contact lens is within 5 hours. 
     
     
         16 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , which comprises suppressing dry eye or desiccation of said eye. 
     
     
         17 . The method of using a composition as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses according to  claim 1 , which comprises alleviating strain in said eye. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a composition comprising: (A) 0.0001 to 25 (w/v) % of one or more member(s) selected from the group consisting of a cellulose-based polymer, a vinyl-based polymer, polyethylene glycol, and dextran; (B) 0.0001 to 0.1 (w/v) % of a terpenoid; and (C) 0.001 to 5 (w/v) % of a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer as a wetting solution—eye drops for contact lenses, said method comprising:
 adding said composition directly to a contact lens dropwise in order to wet said contact lens; and then 
 fitting said contact lens on an eye; and then 
 wetting said contact lens by applying said composition to said eye which is wearing said contact lens. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method of handling a contact lens comprising the following steps:
 (1) adding dropwise a composition comprising (A) one or more member(s) selected from the group consisting of a cellulose-based polymer, a vinyl-based polymer, polyethylene glycol, and dextran and (B) a terpenoid, directly to a contact lens in order to wet the contact lens before fitting the contact lens;   (2) fitting the wetted contact lens to an eye; and   (3) wetting the fitted contact lens by applying said composition to said eye during wearing of the contact lens.