Eyelid Margin Wipes Comprising Chemical Means For Temperature Adjustment

Abstract

An eyelid margin wipe comprising chemical means for adjusting the temperature of the wipe relative to the ambient temperature. The wipe is particularly useful for treatment of disorders of the eyelid or eyelid margin such as meibomian gland dysfunction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method for treating a condition of an eye, eyelid, or eyelid margin in a subject, comprising:
 a) providing an eyelid wipe that comprises a chemical adapted to adjust a temperature of the eyelid wipe relative to an ambient temperature;   b) activating the chemical such that a temperature change is initiated;   c) allowing the eyelid wipe to reach a desired temperature; and   d) applying the eyelid wipe to an eye region of the subject,   
       whereby the condition of an eye, eyelid, or eyelid margin in the subject is treated. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the condition is eye, eyelid or eyelid margin irritation; eye, eyelid or eyelid margin inflammation; eye, eyelid or eyelid margin redness; meibomian gland dysfunction; hay fever; eye dryness; a condition associated with use of eye cosmetics; or a condition associated with contact-lens wear. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising holding the eyelid wipe on the eye region for a period of time. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the period of time is from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising massaging the eyelid margin with the eyelid wipe. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the massaging is conducted after the eyelid wipe reaches the desired temperature. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the desired temperature is in the range of about 40° C. to about 55° C. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the desired temperature is in the range of about 40° C. to about 45° C., or the range of about 45° C. to about 52° C. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the desired temperature is in the range of about 0° C. to about 25° C. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the desired temperature is in the range of about 5° C. to about 10° C. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the desired temperature is reached within 2 minutes after the temperature change is initiated. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the desired temperature is reached within 1 minute after the temperature change is initiated. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the desired temperature is maintained for more than 5 minutes. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the desired temperature is maintained for 10 minutes or more. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe is sterile. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe is square, rectangular, circular, ovoid, eye-shaped, curved to correspond to a contour of an eye, sized to be used on one eye region, or sized to be used on two eyes simultaneously. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises a band, a pocket, or a layer for holding the eyelid wipe for a period of time. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the eyelid wipe comprises the band that is elastic. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises an adhesive portion on a part or the whole of one side of the eyelid wipe. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the adhesive portion comprises one or more adhesive materials selected from acrylic adhesives, hydrocolloidal or hydrogel adhesives, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises a removal strip to protect the adhesive portion. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the removal strip is a polymer or paper strip treated with silicone. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe is coated with a polymeric material capable of moulding to a surface of an eye. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe is coated with a polymeric material that softens at a temperature above ambient temperature. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the chemical comprises at least two components adapted to change a temperature of the eyelid wipe upon a reaction of the at least two components. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the reaction is an exothermic reaction or an endothermic reaction. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein one of the at least two components is a hydratable inorganic salt. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the at least two components comprise MgSO 4  and water. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the at least two components comprise NH 4 NO 3  and water. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the at least two components comprise an oxidising agent and a reducing agent. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises:
 i. a water-impermeable material that prevents the at least two components from coming into contact with the eye region of the subject;   ii. a seal for keeping the at least two components separate until the temperature change is initiated; and   iii. at least one agent selected from the group consisting of soothing agents, cleansing agents, and surfactant agents.   
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the at least one agent is at least one cleansing agent or at least one surfactant agent. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the at least one agent is selected from the group consisting of PEG-80 sorbitan laurate, sodium trideceth sulfate, PEG-150 distearate, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sodium laureth-13 carboxylate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20, poloxamer 184, ammonium laureth sulfate, ceteareth 20, ceteareth 25, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, disodium lauriminodipropionate, disodium lauroamphodipropionate, glycol stearate, hydrogenated castor oil, laureth-23, magnesium laureth, oleth sulfate, PEG-20 stearate, PEG-35 castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-7 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-75 lanolin, poloxamer, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, sodium C12-15 pareth 15 sulfonate, and sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the seal is a frangible seal. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises a drug delivery system. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises at least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents, anti-bacterial agents, decongestants, antistatic agents, preservatives, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, chelating agents, emollients, emulsifying agents, buffering/neutralising agents, humectants, thickeners, viscosity controlling agents, antistatic agents, conditioning agents, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the eyelid wipe comprises the viscosity controlling agent that is polyethylene glycol (PEG). 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the at least one additional agent is incorporated in a thermo-responsive polymer layer coated on a surface of the eyelid wipe. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises a reflective layer and/or a conductive layer to direct heating or cooling towards a surface of the eyelid wipe. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the eyelid wipe further comprises an indicator which confirms to a user that the desired temperature has been reached. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the indicator is a temperature sensitive color indicator configured to change from a first color to a second color when the desired temperature has been reached. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the indicator is configured to undergo a reversible color change, such that when the eyelid wipe is no longer at the desired temperature or has fallen outside of a desired temperature range, the indicator reverts to the first color. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein at least a part of the eyelid wipe is coated with a temperature reactive ink or a temperature reactive dye. 
     
     
         84 . A method for treating a condition of an eye, eyelid, or eyelid margin in a subject, comprising:
 a) providing an eyelid wipe that comprises a chemical adapted to adjust a temperature of the eyelid wipe relative to an ambient temperature;   b) activating the chemical such that a temperature change is initiated;   c) allowing the eyelid wipe to reach a desired temperature; and   d) applying the eyelid wipe to an eye region of the subject,   
       whereby the condition of an eye, eyelid, or eyelid margin is treated, 
       wherein the eyelid wipe has a size of one human eye region, and comprises:
 1) at least two components adapted to change the temperature of the eyelid wipe upon a reaction of the at least two components from an ambient temperature to the desired temperature in the range of about 40° C. to about 55° C.; 
 2) a water-impermeable container that prevents the at least two components from coming into contact with the eye region of the subject; 
 3) a seal for keeping the at least two components separate until the temperature change is initiated, wherein the desired temperature is reached within 2 minutes after the temperature change is initiated and is maintained for at least 5 minutes without causing damage to a delicate eye region; and 
 4) at least one agent selected from the group consisting of soothing agents, cleansing agents, and surfactant agents.