Bi-functional co-polymer use for ophthalmic and other topical and local applications

Abstract

The invention contemplates a copolymer which is a graft or block copolymer useful to change the ocular surface temperature and other characteristics of biological or contact lens surfaces. Methods for use of these formulations and coatings to increase the temperature of the skin, mucous membranes, eye or eyelids will help treat many conditions including blepharitis and non-healing ulcers. Methods to decrease evaporation, improve wettability and stabilize the tear film, and lubricate biological surfaces in a subject, for example, in the treatment of dry eye syndrome, and to improve contact lens tolerability, are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method to increase the surface temperature on the external surface of a treated contact lens that is on the eye of a subject as compared to an untreated contact lens that is on the eye of a subject, comprising contacting the eye of said subject with said treated contact lens, wherein said treated contact lens is in association with a pharmaceutical composition comprising a copolymer having a positively charged moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, wherein said contacting is effected in an amount and for a duration so as to increase the surface temperature on the external surface of said treated contact lens that is on the eye of said subject as compared to an untreated contact lens that is on the eye of said subject, thereby increasing the surface temperature on the external surface of a treated contact lens that is on the eye of a subject as compared to an untreated contact lens that is on the eye of a subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contacting the eye of said subject with said treated contact lens increases the temperature of the ocular surface of the eye of said subject in contact with said treated contact lens. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer is a graft copolymer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer a block co-polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic moiety is one of non-ionic or anionic. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer creates an electrostatic adhesion between the copolymer and the biological surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer creates a covalent adhesion between the copolymer and the biological surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the copolymer creates an electrostatic adhesion with the contact lens. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the copolymer creates a covalent adhesion with the contact lens. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the copolymer is a graft copolymer and comprises a cationic backbone and side chains that are water soluble and non-ionic. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the copolymer is a graft copolymer and comprises a water soluble non-ionic backbone and cationic side chains. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer is a block copolymer and comprises at least one cationic block and at least one block which is water soluble and anionic. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises 0.001 to 40% of said composition. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the copolymer comprises 0.001 to 25% of said composition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a second polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a PLURONIC block copolymer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises one or more of a surfactant, a preservative, and a pharmaceutical ingredient selected from the group consisting of: demulcents, emollients, sodium chloride, and vasoconstrictors. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said treated contact lens has been stored in said pharmaceutical composition comprising said copolymer having a positively charged moiety and a hydrophilic moiety. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said increase in temperature ranges from 0.1 degrees Celsius to 0.5 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said increase in the temperature of said ocular surface of the eye of said subject in contact with said treated contact lens is at least 0.1 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said increase in the temperature of said ocular surface of the eye of said subject in contact with said treated contact lens is measured at the conjunctiva. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said increase in temperature is measured using a method selected from the group consisting of ocular thermography, infrared thermal imaging, temperature distribution assessments, dynamic thermography, ocular surface temperature assessment and ocular thermometry. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said increase in temperature is measured with a thermistor or a thermal camera. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said increase in temperature is measured over time using a thermal camera, wherein said increase in temperature is measured in degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         25 . A method to treat blepharitis in a patient by increasing the temperature of the affected contact-lens wearing eye by treating said contact lens with a copolymer having a positively charged moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, wherein said contacting is effected in an amount and for a duration so as to increase the surface temperature on the external surface of said treated contact lens that is on the eye of said patient as compared to an untreated contact lens that is on the eye of said patient, thereby treating blepharitis in said patient. 
     
     
         26 . A method to treat a chalazion in a patient by increasing the temperature of the affected contact-lens wearing eye by treating said contact lens with a copolymer having a positively charged moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, wherein said contacting is effected in an amount and for a duration so as to increase the surface temperature on the external surface of said treated contact lens that is on the eye of said patient as compared to an untreated contact lens that is on the eye of said patient, thereby treating chalazion in said patient. 
     
     
         27 . A method to treat dry eye syndrome in a patient by increasing the temperature of the affected contact-lens wearing eye by treating said contact lens with a copolymer having a positively charged moiety and a hydrophilic moiety, wherein said contacting is effected in an amount and for a duration so as to increase the surface temperature on the external surface of said treated contact lens that is on the eye of said patient as compared to an untreated contact lens that is on the eye of said patient, thereby treating dry eye syndrome in said patient.