BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a composition for cleaning and wetting contact lenses which comprises a polyethyleneoxide-containing material having a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of at least about 18, a surface active agent having cleaning activity for contact lens deposits, and a wetting agent.

A care regimen for contact lenses involves various functions, such as regularly cleaning the lens with a contact lens solution containing a surface active agent as a primary cleaning agent. Rinsing of the contact lens is generally required following cleaning to remove loosened debris. Additionally, the regimen may include treatment to disinfect the lens, treatment to render the lens surface more wettable prior to insertion in the eye, or treatment to condition (e.g, lubricate or cushion) the lens surface so that the lens is more comfortable in the eye. As a further example, a contact lens wearer may need to rewet the lens during wear by administering directly in the eye a solution commonly referred to as rewetting drops.

Separate solutions may be provided for the individual segments of the care regimen. For convenience purposes, multipurpose contact lens

solutions have gained popularity, i.e., solutions which can be used for several segments of the care regimen.

As an example, multipurpose contact lens solutions which can be used for cleaning, storage and conditioning of contact lenses have been suggested. U.S. Patent No. 5,141,665 (Sherman) discloses a cleaning, conditioning, storing and wetting system for rigid gas permeable contact lenses. The system is described as including: (1) a cleaning, conditioning and storing solution; and (2) a separate wetting solution, wherein both solutions include a disinfectant or preservative. Lenses treated with the first solution are rinsed and then wet with the separate wetting solution prior to insertion in the eye.

Multipurpose contact lens solutions which effectively clean a contact lens, and can also be used to treat the lens immediately prior to insertion of the lens in the eye, represent the more difficult multipurpose solutions to develop. Conventional surface active agents having good cleaning activity for contact lens deposits, as well as various other components such as antimicrobial agents included as a preservative or disinfectant, tend to be irritating to the eye. Additionally, the surface active agents must not inhibit the wetting or conditioning function of the solution.

Multipurpose contact lens solutions for cleaning and wetting contact lenses have also been suggested which employ as the primary cleaning agent a surface active agent having minimal or no irritation. As an example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,882,036 and 3,954,644 (Krezanoski et al.) suggest compositions comprising a polyethyleneoxy-polypropyleneoxy block copolymer (also known as poloxamer) having minimal or no eye irritation as the primary cleaning agent.

U.S. Patent No. 4,820,352 (Riedhammer et al.) suggests compositions for cleaning and conditioning contact lenses which are sufficiently nonirritating that a contact lens treated with the solution can be inserted directly in the eye. Preferred compositions employ as the primary cleaning agent a specific class of polyethyleneoxy-polypropyleneoxy block copolymer adducts of ethylene diamine (also known as poloxamine) , which, agents are both effective at cleaning and exhibit minimal or no eye irritation.

Although the specific class of poloxamine surface active agents described in the Riedhammer patent provide good cleaning action for contact lens deposits and exhibit minimal eye irritation, other surface active agents exhibiting acceptable eye irritation levels generally have a relatively low cleaning ability for contact lens deposits. Accordingly, this latter

approach to minimize eye irritation frequently results in a sacrifice of good cleaning activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides an aqueous composition for cleaning and wetting contact lenses which comprises:

(a) a non-amine polyethyleneoxy-containing material having an HLB value of at least about 18;

(b) a surface active agent having cleaning activity for contact lens deposits; and

(c) a wetting agent.

The compositions provide effective cleaning activity, and are also effective at wetting surfaces of the lens. Additionally, the compositions achieve the desired cleaning but are relatively nonirritating to the eye. According to preferred embodiments, the compositions are sufficiently nonirritating that contact lenses treated with the composition can be inserted directly in the eye, i.e., without the need to rinse the composition from the lens, or the composition can be administered directly in the eye for use as a rewetting solution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The composition of the invention is an aqueous composition which comprises:

(a) a non-amine polyethyleneoxy-containing material having an HLB value of at least about 18;

(b) a surface active agent having cleaning activity for contact lens deposits; and

(c) a wetting agent.

The first component is a non-amine polyethyleneoxy-containing material having a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of at least about 18. Generally, the materials of this class are not particularly effective cleaners for contact lens deposits when employed as the primary cleaning agent. However, Applicants have found that when these materials are employed in conjunction with a surface active agent having good cleaning activity, the high- HLB materials alleviate the potential of eye irritation of the compositions attributed to components such as the surface active agent and other components. Accordingly, surface active agents which would otherwise be irritating to the eye can be employed in the compositions.

In addition to high-HLB homopolymers of polyethylene glycol or polyethyleneoxy, representative PEO-containing materials having an HLB value of at

least 18 include certain polyethyleneoxy- polypropyleneoxy block copolymers, also known as poloxa ers. Such materials are commercially available under the tradename Pluronic from BASF Corporation, Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, and include Pluronic F108 and F127. Other suitable PEO-containing materials include ethoxylated glucose derivatives, such as methyl gluceth-20 including the product available as Glucam E- 20 (Amerchol Corp., Edison, New Jersey, USA), and high HLB -ethoxylated nonionic ethers of εorbitol or glycerol, such as products available under the tradename Ethosperse, including sorbeth-20 supplied as Ethosperse SL-20 and glycereth-26 supplied as Ethosperse G-26 (Lonza Inc. , Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA) .

Representative PEO-containing materials are listed in Table A with HLB value and molecular weight. For comparative purposes, two PEO-containing materials which do not have an HLB value of at least about 18 (polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) , and the poloxamer Pluronic P104) are included. The HLB values and molecular weight were provided by manufacturers, or calculated or estimated based on chemical structure.

TABLE A

Material HLB Value Aver MW

Pluronic P104 12-18 5,900

Tween 20 16.7 1,260

Ethosperse G-26 18 1,224

Glucam E-20 >18 1,074

Pluronic F127 18-23 12,600

Pluronic F108 >24 14,600

Polyethylene glycol >24 18,500

The PEO-containing materials may be employed in the compositions at about 0.001 to about 10 weight percent, preferably at about 0.001 to about 5 weight percent.

The composition further includes a surface active agent having cleaning activity for contact lens deposits. A wide variety of surface active agents are known in the art as a primary cleaning agent, including anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphoteric surface active agents.

Representative anionic surface active agents include sulfated and sulfonated surface active agents, and physiologically acceptable salts thereof, which provide good cleaning activity for lipidε, proteins, and other contact lens deposits. Examples include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate. (εodium

salt of sulfated ethoxylated lauryl alcohol) , ammonium laureth sulfate (ammonium salt of sulfated ethoxylated lauryl alcohol) , sodium trideceth sulfate (sodium salt of sulfated ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol) , sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, disodium lauryl or laureth sulfosuccinate (diεodium εalt of a lauryl or ethoxylated lauryl alcohol half eεter of sulfosuccinic acid) , disodium oleamido sulfosuccinates, and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (sodium salt of the diester of a 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and εulfosuccinic acid) .

Nonionic surface active agents having good cleaning activity include certain polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene block copolymer (poloxamer) surface active agents, including various surface active agents available under the tradename Pluronic from BASF Corp. , e.g., Pluronic P104 or L64. (In contrast with the high-HLB PEO-containing materials, the poloxamers which may be employed as a primary cleaning agent in the compositions of this invention have an HLB value less than 18, generally about 12 to about 18.) Other representative nonionic surface active agents include: ethoxylated alkyl phenolε, such as various surface active agents available under the tradenames Triton (Union Carbide, Tarrytown, New York, USA) and Igepal (Rhone-Poulenc, Cranbury, New Jersey, USA) ; polysorbates such as polysorbate 20, including the polysorbate surface active agents available under the

tradename Tween (ICI A ericaε, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware, USA.); and alkyl glucosides and polyglucoεideε εuch aε productε available under the tradename Plantaren (Henkel Corp., Hoboken, New Jerεey, USA) .

The compoεitions may include a cationic surface active agent. Representative cationic surface active agents include triquaternary phosphate esters, such as various cationic surface active agents available from Mona Industries, Inc., Patterson, New Jersey, USA under the tradename Monaquat.

Additionally, the compositions may include an amphoteric surface active agent. Amphoteric surface active agents include fatty acid amide betaines, such as the cocoamidoalkyl betaines available under the tradename Tego-Betain (Goldschmidt Chemical Corp. , Hopewell, Virginia, USA). Other amphoterics include imidazoline derivatives such as cocoamphopropionates available under the tradename Miranol (Rhone-Poulenc) , and N-alkylamino acids such aε lauramino propionic acid available under the tradename Mirataine (Rhone- Poulenc) .

Surface active agents having cleaning activity for contact lens depositε include εilicone polymers having a pendant side chain containing an ionizable group. Dimethylpolysiloxanes containing a pendant side chain having a sulfonate or sulfosuccinate radical are

available under the tradenameε Silube WS-100 and Silube SS-154-100 (Siltech, Inc., Norcroεε, Georgia, USA). Dimethylpolysiloxanes containing a pendant side chain having a phoεphobetaine radical are available under the tradename Silicone Phoεphobetaine (Siltech, Inc.), dimethylpolyεiloxaneε containing a pendant side chain having an amphoteric radical are available under the tradename Siltech Amphoteric (Siltech, Inc.), and dimethylpolysiloxanes εubstituted with propyleneglycol betaine are available under the tradename Abil B 9950 from Goldschmidt Chemical Corp., Hopewell, Virginia, USA. Such silicone polymers are eεpecially compatible in the compositions of this invention, and exhibit lesε irritation than many conventional cleaning agentε such as the above-described anionic surface active agents.

The surface active agents having cleaning activity for contact lens deposits may be employed at about 0.001 to about 5 weight percent of the composition, preferably at about 0.005 to about 2 weight percent, with about 0.01 to about 0.1 weight percent being especially preferred.

According to preferred embodiments, the composition further includes a wetting agent. Although in some cases the high-HLB PEO-containing component may contribute to the wetting ability of the composition, the inclusion of a supplemental wetting agent ensures

that the composition effectively wets contact lenseε treated therewith.

Repreεentative wetting agents include: celluloεic materials such as cationic cellulosic polymerε, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and methylcellulose; polyvinyl alcohol; and polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

Preferred wetting agents are the cationic celluloεic materialε that have the ability to associate with anionic areas on a lens surface, such aε rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenseε, which facilitateε the material wetting and cuεhioning the lenε surface. Other preferred wetting agents include silicone polymers having a pendant alkyleneoxide side chain, particularly products available under the tradename Dow Corning ^® 193 (Dow Corning, Midland, Michigan, USA) . For these materials, the hydrophobic εilicone portion of the εilicone polymerε may loosely asεociate with the lenε surface, such that the pendant alkyleneoxy side chain extends from the lenε surface to enhance wettability to the lenε εurface. Additionally, this effect appears to provide further alleviation of irritation potential of components such as the surface active cleaning agent.

These wetting agentε may be uεed in a wide range of concentrationε, generally about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent.

The cleaning compositionε include as necesεary buffering agentε for buffering or adjusting pH of the composition, and/or tonicity adjusting agents for adjusting the tonicity of the composition. Representative buffering agents include: alkali metal salts such as potassium or sodium carbonates, acetates, borates, phoεphates, citrates and hydroxides; and weak acidε such aε acetic, boric and phoεphoric acids. Representative tonicity adjusting agents include: sodium and potassium chloride, and those materials listed as buffering agents. The tonicity agents may be employed in an amount effective to adjust the osmotic value of the final composition to a desired value. Generally, the buffering agents and/or tonicity adjusting agents may be included up to about 10 weight percent.

According to preferred embodiments, an antimicrobial agent is included in the composition in an antimicrobially effective amount, i.e., an amount which is effective to at least inhibit growth of icroorganismε in the compoεition. Preferably, the compoεition can be used to diεinfect a contact lenε treated therewith. Various antimicrobial agents are known in the art as useful in contact lens solutions, including: chlorhexidine (1,l'-hexamethylene-bis[5-(p- chlorophenyl) biguanide]) or water soluble salts thereof, such as chlorhexidine gluconate;

polyhexamethylene biguanide (a polymer of hexamethylene biguanide, alεo referred to aε polyaminopropyl biguanide) or water-soluble εalts thereof, such as the polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride available under the trade name Cosmocil CQ (ICI Americas Inc.); benzalkonium chloride; and polymeric quaternary ammonium salts. When preεent, the antimicrobial agent may be included at 0.00001 to about 5 weight percent, depending on the specific agent.

The compositionε may further include a sequestering agent (or chelating agent) which can be preεent up to about 2.0 weight percent. Examples of preferred sequestering agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and its saltε, with the disodium salt (disodium edetate) being especially preferred.

The compositions are useful for hard and soft contact lenses. Hard lenseε include polymethylmethacrylate lenses and rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses formed of a silicon or a fluorosilicon polymer. Soft contact lenses include hydrophilic hydrogel lenses.

A contact lens iε cleaned by exposing the lens to the cleaning compoεition, preferably by immerεing the lenε in the compoεition, followed by agitation, εuch as by rubbing the composition on the lens surface. The lens is then rinsed to remove the compoεition along

with contaminants. The composition may also be used to rinse the lenses, or alternately, a separate solution can be used.

When the composition iε uεed to rinεe the lenε, the compoεition will uεually adequately wet the lenε surface. Due to the low irritation potential of the composition, the lens can then be inεerted directly in the eye. Alternately, the cleaned lenε can be subsequently treated with the composition, εuch aε εoaking the lenε in the composition for sufficient time to ensure adequate wetting of the lens surface. When treating lenses with the composition including an antimicrobial agent, it is preferred to soak the lenseε for sufficient time to disinfect the lenses, in which case the composition is used for cleaning, disinfecting and wetting the lens. The treated lens can then be inserted directly in the eye.

The compositionε can be prepared by adding the individual components to water. A representative method follows. The εaltε and wetting agentε, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, disodium edetate, cellulosic components, and/or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) , are added to premeasured, heated water with mixing. This first composition is allowed to cool, filtered, and sterilized. The sodium phosphate, potasεium phoεphate, PEO-containing material, the εilicone polymer, the εurface active agentε and/or glycerin are

added to pre easured water with mixing and then sterilized and filtered. The antimicrobial agents are added to the remaining amount of premeasured water, and the three compositions are combined with mixing.

The following examples illustrate various preferred embodiments.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 6

A series of solutions, represented in Tableε 1A to ID, was prepared. Amounts in the tables are parts by weight unless indicated otherwise. Examples 1 to 6 illustrate multipurpose solutions of the present invention. Three control compoεitionε were prepared. Ctrl-IA included no εurface active cleaning agent having eye irritation potential; each of Ctrl-IB and IC similarly lacked any such cleaning agent but included a non-amine PEO-containing material having an HLB of at least, about 18 (poloxamer 338, εupplied aε Pluronic F108, BASF). The comparative compositions included a surface active agent having cleaning activity: sodium trideceth sulfate (Sipex EST-30, Rhone-Poulenc) or a cocoamphopropionate (Miranol C2M, Rhone-Poulenc) ; the comparative compositions included no high-HLB PEO- containing material.

The irritation potential of the compositions was evaluated by the following procedure. A few drops of each composition was administered on the superior

limbuε of a εubject'ε eye. The subject was asked to indicate occurrence of symptoms of irritation (stinging, itching or burning) . These results are reported under "Symptom", wherein "P" indicates positive (subject reported irritation) and "N" indicates negative (subject did not report irritation) . Additionally, the corneas of subjects were evaluated both prior to and following administration of the composition to aεsess corneal εtaining. Theεe results are reported under "Staining", wherein "P" indicates positive (corneal εtaining observed) and "N" indicates negative (no corneal staining observed) .

The data demonεtrate that the high-HLB PEO- containing material waε uεeful in reducing the irritation potential of the compoεitionε.

TABLE 1A

Component Cntl-IA Cntl-IB Cntl-lC cationic cellulosic 0.05 0.05 0.05 polymer (Polymer JR 30M. Union Carbide Corp.) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcellulose sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 potasεium phoεphate 0.055 0.055 0.055 sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethy1ene 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Pluronic F108 0 1 3 deionized water 100 100 100 fq.s. to.

Symptom N N N

Staining N N N

TABLE IB

Component Comp-1 Ex-1 Ex-2 cationic cellulosic 0.05 0.05 0.05 polymer

(Polymer JR 30M) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcellulose sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium phosphate 0.055 0.055 0.055 sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Pluronic F108 0 1 3

Sipex EST-30 0.2 0.2 0.2 deionized water 100 100 100 (q.s. to)

Symptom P P N

Staining N N N

TABLE IC

Component Comp-2 Ex-3 Ex-4 cationic cellulosic 0 . 05 0 . 05 0 . 05 polymer

(Polymer JR 30M) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcellulose sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 potasεium phoεphate 0.055 0.055 0.055 sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Pluronic F108 0 1 3

Sipex EST-30 0.3 0.3 0.3 deionized water 100 100 100 fq.s. to)

Symptom P P N

Staining P N N

TABLE ID

Component Comp-3 Ex-5 Ex-6 cationic celluloεic 0.05 0.05 0.05 polymer

(Polymer JR 30M) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcelluloεe sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 potaεsium phosphate 0.055 0.055 0.055 sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Pluronic F108 0 1 3

Miranol C2M 0.3 0.3 0.3 deionized water 100 100 100

(α.s. to)

Symptom P P N

Staining N N N

EXAMPLES 7 TO 14

A series of εolutionε, represented in Tables 2A to 3D, was prepared. Examples 7 to 14 illustrate multipurpose solutions of the present invention. The comparative compositions included a surface active cleaning having eye irritation potential, but no high- HLB PEO-containing material. It is noted that Comparative Examples 5, 7 and 9, and Comparative Example 10, included a PEO-containing material, polysorbate 20 (Tween 20, ICI Americas, Inc.) or poloxamer 334 (Pluronic P104, BASF), having a lower HLB value (see Table A) .

The irritation potential of the compoεitions was evaluated as in the preceding examples. The data demonεtrate that the non-amine PEO-containing materials having an HLB value of at least about 18 were useful in reducing the irritation potential of the compositionε. In contrast, the PEO-containing material having a lower HLB value did not significantly reduce the irritation potential of the compositions.

TABLE 2A

Component Cntl-2A Cntl-2B Cntl-2C Cntl-2D cationic 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 celluloεic polymer (Polymer JR 30M) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcellulose sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potasεium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Tween 20 0 1 0 0

Pluronic F127 0 0 1 0

Pluronic F108 0 0 0 1 deionized water 100 100 100 100 fσ.s. to.

Symptom N N N N

Staining N N N N

TABLE 2B

Component Comp-4 Comp-5 Ex-7 Ex-8 cationic 0. 05 0. 05 0. 05 0. 05 celluloεic polymer (Polymer JR 30M) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcelluloεe sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potasεium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 diεodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Standapol 124-3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 (Henkel Corp.)

Tween 20 0 1 0 0

Pluronic F127 0 0 1 0

Pluronic F108 0 0 0 1 deionized water 100 100 100 100 fq.ε. to.

Symptom P P N N

Staining P P N N

TABLE 2C

Component Comp-6 Comp-7 Ex-9 Ex-10 cationic 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 celluloεic polymer (Polymer JR 30M) hydroxypropyl 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 methylcellulose sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Miranol C2M 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Tween 20 0 1 0 0

Pluronic F127 0 0 1 0

Pluronic F108 0 0 0 1 deionized water 100 100 100 100 (q.s. to)

Symptom P P N N

Staining P P N N

TABLE 3A

Component Cntl-3A Cntl-3B Cntl-3C Cntl-3D εilicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) εodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potasεium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 diεodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 ^* 10 biguanide (ppm)

Tween 20 0 1 0 0

Pluronic F127 0 0 1 0

Pluronic F108 0 0 0 1 deionized water 100 100 100 100 fσ.ε. to)

Symptom N N N N

Staining N N N N

TABLE 3B

Component Cntl-3E Cntl-3F Cntl-3G silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Pluronic P104 1 0 0

Ethosperse G-26 0 1 0

PEG 0 0 1

(MW aver 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 fq.s. to)

Symptom N N N

Staining N N N

TABLE 3C

Component Comp-8 Comp-9 Ex-11 Ex-12 silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potasεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Tween 20 0 1 0 0

Pluronic F127 0 0 1 0

Pluronic F108 0 0 0 1 deionized water 100 100 100 100 (σ. s . to)

Symptom P P N N

Staining P P N N

TABLE 3D

Component Comp-10 Ex-13 Ex-14 silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 potaεεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.2 0.2 0.2

Pluronic P104 1 0 0

Ethosperse G-26 0 1 0

PEG 0 0 1

(MW aver 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 (q. s . to)

Symptom P N N Staining P N N

EXAMPLES 15 TO 41

A εeries of solutionε of the present invention, represented in Tables 4 to 9, was prepared. The irritation potential of the compositions was evaluated as in the preceding examples.

Additionally, the cleaning efficacy of the compositionε waε teεted. For the cleaning model, lenεeε were soaked overnight in a 0.01 % solution of lanolin in hexane, the solvent was evaporated, and a greasy film of lipids (present in lanolin) remained on the lenseε. The lenεeε were then cleaned aε followε: the lenεeε were soaked in the εubject compoεition for 2 hourε, 2 or 3 dropε of the εubject composition was finger rubbed on the lens for about 20 secondε, followed by rinsing with tap water for about 20 secondε. The lens was then air dried and examined under the microscope. Cleaning efficacy ratings are listed in the tables, wherein the relative ratings are based on a scale of 0 to 3: "0" designateε no depoεits, "1" designates trace depoεitε, "2" deεignateε εlight contamination and "3" deεignateε obviouε contamination.

TABLE 4

Component EX-15 EX-16 EX-17 EX-18 EX-19 silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potasεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0 0 0 sodium lauroyl 0 0.1 0 0 sarcosinate (Hamposyl L-30, W.R. Grace)

Standapol 124-3 0 0 0.1 0 0

Sodium lauramino- 0 0 0 0.1 0 propionic acid (Miratain H2C-HA, Rhone-Poulenc) cocoamphopropionate 0 0 0 0 0.1 (Miranol C2M-LV, Rhone-Poulenc)

Pluronic F108 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized . water 100 100 100 100 100 (a.s. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 0 0 1 0 1

TABLE 5

Component EX-20 EX-21 EX-22 EX-23 silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phoεphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Monaquat PTC 0.1 0 0 0

Pluronic L 64 0 0.1 0 0 alkyl polyglucoside 0 0 0.1 0 (Plantaren 2000, Henkel)

Tween 80 0 0 0 0.1

Pluronic F108 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized water 100 100 100 100 fq.ε. to)

Symptom N N N N

Staining N N N N

Cleaning Rating 1 1 0 1

TABLE 6

Co ponent EX-24 EX-25 EX-26 EX-27 EX-28 silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethy1ene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0 0 0 0

Hamposyl L-30 0 0.1 0 0 0

Standapol 124-3 0 0 0.1 0 0

Miratain H2C-HA 0 0 0 0.1 0

Miranol C2M-LV 0 0 0 0 0.1

Glucam E-20 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized water 100 100 100 100 100 fσ.s. to)

Symptom P N N P N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 1 2 1 1 0

TABLE 7

Component EX-29 EX-30 EX-31 EX-32 silicone 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 glycol copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potasεium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Monaquat PTC 0.1 0 0 0

Pluronic L 64 0 0.1 0 0

Plantaren 2000 0 0 0.1 0

Tween 80 0 0 0 0.1

Glucam E-20 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized water 100 100 100 100 (q.s. to)

Symptom N N N N

Staining N N N N

Cleaning Rating 1 1 1 2

TABLE 8

Component EX-33 EX-34 EX-35 EX-36 EX-37 cationic 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 cellulosic polymer (Polymer JR 30M) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potasεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phoεphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potaεsium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0 0 0 0

Hamposyl L-30 0 0.1 0 0 0

Standapol 124-3 0 0 0.1 0 0

Miratain H2C-HA 0 0 0 0.1 0

Miranol C2M-LV 0 0 0 0 0.1

PEG 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (MW aver. 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 100 100 (q. s . to)

Symptom N P N N N

Staining N P N N N

Cleaning Rating 0 0 1 0 1

TABLE 9

Component EX-38 EX-39 EX-40 EX-41 cationic 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 celluloεic polymer (Polymer JR 30M) sodium phoεphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potaεsium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phoεphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Monaquat PTC 0.1 0 0 0

Pluronic L 64 0 0.1 0 0

Plantaren 2000 0 0 0.1 0

Tween 80 0 0 0 0.1 polyethylene 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 glycol (average MW about 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 100 (q . ε . to)

Symptom N N N N

Staining N N N N

Cleaning Rating 1 1 1 0

EXAMPLES 42 TO 71

A series of solutions of the present invention, represented in Tables 10 to 15, waε prepared, and the irritation potential of the compoεitionε waε evaluated as in the preceding examples.

Additionally, the cleaning efficacy of the compositionε waε tested on worn lenseε. Rigid gaε permeable (RGP) lenεeε were worn for 15 to 18 hourε, left dry overnight, and cleaned the next day by finger rubbing 2 or 3 dropε of the εubject composition for about 20 seconds, rinsing under tap water for about 20 seconds, and air drying the rinεed lenε. Subsequently, the cleaned lens was examined under microscope. The cleaning efficacy scale corresponds to that in the preceding examples.

TABLE 10

Component EX-42 EX-43 EX-44 EX-45 EX-46 hydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 methylcellulose

PVA (Airvol 107) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 silicone glycol 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0 0 0 0

Hamposyl L-30 0 0.1 0 0 0

Standapol 124-3 0 0 0.1 0 0 coca idopropyl 0 0 0 0.1 0 betaine (Tego-Betaine L7, Goldεchmidt)

Miranol C2M-LV 0 0 0 0 0.1

Pluronic F108 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

(MW aver. 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 100 100

(σ.ε. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning ] Rating 0 0 0 0 0

TABLE 11

Component EX-47 EX-48 EX-49 EX-50 EX-51 hydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 methylcellulose

PVA (Airvol 107) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 silicone glycol 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Monaquat PTC 0.1 0 0 0 0 amphoteric 0 0.1 0 0 0 polysiloxane (Silicone Amphoteric, Siltech)

Pluronic L 64 0 0 0.1 0 0

Plantaren 2000 0 0 0 0.1 0

Tween 80 0 0 0 0 0.1

Pluronic F108 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 (MW aver. 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 100 100 (α.ε. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 0 0 0 0 0

TABLE 12

Component EX-52 EX-53 EX-54 EX-55 EX-56 hydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 methylcellulose

PVA (Airvol 107) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 silicone glycol 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potasεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0 0 0 0

Hamposyl L-30 0 0.1 0 0 0

Standapol 124-3 0 0 0.1 0 0

Tego-Betaine L7 0 0 0 0.1 0

Miranol C2M-LV 0 0 0 0 0.1

Glucam E-20 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized water 100 100 100 100 100 fq.s. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 0 0 0 0 0

TABLE 13

Component EX-57 EX-58 EX-59 EX-60 EX-61 hydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 methylcellulose

PVA (Airvol 107) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 silicone glycol 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potaεεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phoεphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Monaquat PTC 0.1 0 0 0 0

Silicone Amphoteric 0 0.1 0 0 0

Pluronic L 64 0 0 0.1 0 0

Plantaren 2000 0 0 0 0.1 0

Tween 80 0 0 0 0 0.1

Glucam E-20 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized water 100 100 100 100 100 (α.s. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 1 0 0 0 0

TABLE 14

Component EX-62 EX-63 EX-64 EX-65 EX-66 hydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 methylcellulose

PVA (Airvol 107) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 silicone glycol 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potaεεium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.05 phoεphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potassium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Sipex EST-30 0.1 0 0 0 0

Hamposyl L-30 0 0.1 0 0 0

Standapol 124-3 0 0 0.1 0 0

Tego-Betaine L7 0 0 0 0.1 0

Miranol C2M-LV 0 0 0 0 0.1

Glucam E-20 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 deionized water 100 100 100 100 100 (q.ε. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 0 0 0 0 0

TABLE 15

Component EX-67 EX-68 EX-69 EX-70 EX-71 hydroxypropyl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 methylcelluloεe

PVA (Airvol 107) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 silicone glycol 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 copolymer

(193, Dow Corning) sodium phosphate 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 potassium 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 0.055 phosphate sodium chloride 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 potasεium chloride 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 0.17 disodium edetate 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 polyhexamethylene 10 10 10 10 10 biguanide (ppm)

Monaquat PTC 0.1 0 0 0 0

Silicone Amphoteric 0 0.1 0 0 0

Pluronic L 64 0 0 0.1 0 0

Plantaren 2000 0 0 0 0.1 0

Tween 80 0 0 0 0 0.1

PEG 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

(MW aver. 18,500) deionized water 100 100 100 100 100

(α.s. to)

Symptom N N N N N

Staining N N N N N

Cleaning Rating 0 0 0 0 0

Additional examples of preferred multipurpose compoεitions suitable for cleaning and wetting contact lenses are given in Table 16.

TABLE 16

Component EX 72 EX 73 EX 74 sodium chloride 0.70 0.78 0.7.0 potassium chloride 0.040 0.17 0.040 disodium edetate 0.050 0.050 0.050 hydroxypropy1 0.55 0.60 0.60 methylcellulose εodium phosphate 0.55 0.28 0.55 potassium phosphate 0.11 0.55 0.11

Glucam E-20 0.10 0.10 0.10 alkoxylated 0.015 0.015 0.015 silicone polymer (193, Dow Corning)

Tween-20 0.025 0.020 0.020

Tego-Betaine L7 0.010 0.010 0.010 (30%) polyhexamethylene biguanide 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 chlorhexidine gluconate 0.0033 0.0033 0.0033

Deionized Water 100 100 100 (q.s. to)

PH 7.4 7.3 7.3

Viscosity 30.6 34.6 33.4 (cp at 25°C)

Osmolality 363 351 341 (mOεm/kg water)

Although certain preferred embodimentε have been described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto and modifications and variations would be evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

We claim: