Background of the Invention

This invention relates to ophthalmic composition and methods for preserving and using such compositions. Mor particularly, the present invention relates to ophthalmi compositions, e.g., useful in caring for contact lenses, whic include one or more quaternary ammonium substituted matri materials, e.g., as preservatives or disinfectants, and t method ^' s for disinfecting and/or preserving using suc compositions. Various compositions, e.g., solutions, are used i association with contact lenses to ensure that the lenses ma be safely, comfortably and conveniently worn. Contact len care compositions, for example, disinfecting compositions preserving compositions, cleaning compositions, wettin compositions, conditioning compositions and the like, ofte utilize at least one disinfectant or preservative, dependin on the type of composition, for disinfecting or preservin contact lenses after wear or preserving the lens car composition itself. A contact lens disinfecting compositio generally has sufficient antimicrobial activity so that whe the composition .is contacted with a lens to be disinfected microorganisms associated with the lens are killed o otherwise removed and the contact lens is effectivel disinfected within a reasonable time, e.g., in the range o about 0.1 hour to about 12 hours. A contact lens disinfectin composition may be termed a microbio-cidal composition. I contrast, a contact lens preserving composition has sufficien antimicrobial activity, often less of such activity than i present in a contact lens disinfecting composition,so tha when the composition is contacted with a contact len substantially no increase in the microorganism population o the lens or in the composition is obtained. A contact len

preserving composition may be termed a microbio-static composition. Other contact lens care compositions are preserved to prevent any substantial increase in, or t gradually decrease, the population of contaminatin microorganisms in the compositions and, thereby, to exten their shelf life. Some preservatives used in lens preservin compositions or in preserved compositions may also be used a disinfecting agents in lens disinfecting compositions.

Various compounds are known for use as preservin agents in contacts lens preserving compositions and preserve contact lens care compositions. Examples include thimerosal benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine. However, thes preserving agents are known to exhibit ocular toxicity whic may result in irritation or sensitivity to the eye. Th degree of ocular toxicity increases when these agents ar utilized as disinfecting agents. Further, a soft contac lens, a rigid gas permeable contact lens (RGP) or a har contact lens can absorb or adsorb these compounds. Thi causes the contact lens to retain the irritating compound an contributes to the eye irritation and sensitivity which ma result.

Stark U.S. Patent No. 4,525,346 discloses a contac lens disinfecting solution and preserved contact lens car compositions containing 1-tris (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium-2 butenyl-4-poly [1-dimethyl ammonium-2-butenyl]-w-tris (2 hydroxyethyl-) ammonium the salt of which has pharmaceutically acceptable anion. The quaternary ammoniu polymer disclosed in this Stark patent is capable of causin irritation and .sensitivity to some contact lens wearers. Other conventional methods of contact lens chemica disinfection utilize one or more active disinfecting agen in an aqueous medium, for example a chlorhexidine/thimeros solution or a relatively mild solution of hydrogen peroxid Some of these disinfecting solutions, such as those nam

above, are cytotoxic and are known to be adsorbed or absorbe onto or into a contact lens and cause the lens to elicit cytotoxic response after disinfection. For example, contac lenses which have been soaked in a disinfecting hydroge peroxide solution are to be treated to remove residua hydrogen peroxide, e.g., by soaking in a catalase solution before they may be comfortably and safely worn again. I residual hydrogen peroxide remains on the lenses, the irritation or injury to the eye may result. Thus, it is readily apparent that a continuing nee exists for safe and efficacious compositions that can"be use as contact lens disinfecting and preserving compositions an as preserved contact lens care compositions. Summary of the Invention New disinfecting and preserving compositions an methods, particularly such compositions and methods directe to contact lens care, have been discovered. The presen compositions include effective disinfectants and/o preservatives. Thus, for example, a contact lens can b effectively disinfected in a reasonable length of time. Also contact lens care products can be effectively preserve against growth of contaminating microorganisms. Importantly such disinfecting and preserving activities are achieved an the contact lenses disinfected, preserved or otherwise care for using the present compositions can be safely an comfortably worn with little or no risk of eye irritation o sensitivity.

In one broad aspect of the invention, a compositio useful for- disinfecting, or preserving, a contact lens i provided. This composition includes an ophthalmicall acceptable, preferably sterile,- medium, preferably a liqui aqueous medium. Included within this medium is an effectiv disinfecting, or preserving, amount of an ophthalmicall acceptable quaternary ammonium substituted matrix materia

selected from proteinaceous materials, carbohydrate material and mixtures thereof. Methods of disinfecting, or preserving, a contact lens include contacting the lens to be disinfected, or preserved, with an appropriate composition, as describe herein.

Preserved compositions, e.g., contact lens car compositions include an ophthalmically acceptable medium, preferably containing one or more components effective t beneficially affect a contact lens and/or the wearing of contact lens. Such preserved compositions include a effective preserving amount of an ophthalmically acceptabl quaternary ammonium substituted matrix material, as describe herein. Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention is applicable to disinfectin or preserving all types of lenses, e.g., contact lenses, whic are benefited by such disinfecting or preserving. Suc lenses, e.g., conventional soft contact lenses, RGPs and har contact lenses, may be made of any suitable material o combination of materials and may have any suitabl configuration. The invention is also applicable to preservin compositions, such as contact lens care compositions and othe eye care products, which are benefited by being preserved.

One important feature of the compositions of t present invention is the inclusion of an effective, e.g., fo disinfecting and/or preserving, amount of at least o ophthalmically acceptable quaternary ammonium substitut matrix material, hereinafter referred to as QASM. The matr material is selected from proteinaceous material carbohydrate materials and mixtures thereof. Without wishi to limit the invention to any particular theory of operatio it is believed that the quaternary ammonium substituents a present in sufficient quantity to effectively provide t desired disinfecting or preserving activity. Further, it

believed that the matrix material is such as to be no substantially adsorbed onto nor absorbed into the lens durin the time the lens is contacted with the composition. Thus the desired disinfecting or preserving is effecte substantially without the disinfectant or preservativ contaminating the lens which it contacts.

The presently useful QASMs are distinguished fro the quaternary ammonium polymers described in Stark U.S. Patent 4,525,346. In Stark, the quaternary ammonium group are actually part of the polymer backbone. The quaternar ammonium groups of the presently useful disinfectants an preservatives are substituents on a matrix material backbone The character or -nature of the matrix material is such tha the present disinfectants or preservatives provide the desire antimicrobial activity without causing substantial ey irritation and sensitivity. In addition, the degree o quaternary ammonium group substitution can be adjusted, a desired, to suit the antimicrobial activity requirements o the particular .application involved. The QASM is preferably dispersible or soluble i the ophthalmically acceptable medium. Since contact len disinfecting, preserving and other care compositions are mos often solutions, the QASM is more preferably soluble in th medium. The amount of QASM employed in the presen compositions is that sufficient to effect the desired result Care should be taken to avoid excessive amounts of QASM. No only are such materials quite expensive, but the use of larg excesses of QASM may result in some degree of eye irritatio and/or sensitivity. The presently useful QASMs are preferabl present in an amount in the range of about 0.00001% to abou 1%, more preferably about 0.0001% to about 0.5%, by weight pe volume of ophthalmically acceptable medium.

As noted above, the matrix material substituted wit quaternary ammonium groups is selected from proteinaceou

materials, carbohydrate materials and mixtures thereof. I one particularly useful embodiment, the matrix material is selected from polypeptides and mixtures thereof. When th matrix material is polypeptide-base , the QASM preferably ha a molecular weight in the range of about 500 to about 5000.

A useful quaternary ammonium substituted matri material has the formula

wherein the wavy line represents a polypeptide backbone; n i an integer in the range of 1 to about 5, preferably 2; m i an integer in the range of 1 to about 30, preferably about 1 to about 20; each R is independently selected from alky groups containing 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; A- is selected from ophthalmically acceptable anions; and represents the number of bracketed groups interspersed alon the polypeptide backbone and is an integer in the range of to about 20, preferably about 2 to about 6. In one embodiment at least one R is methyl and one other R contains about 8 t about 20 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, each of the is methyl, and m is in the range of about 10 to about 20.

Examples of ophthalmically acceptable anions inclu chloride (Cl ^~ ), bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfat phosphate, acid phosphate, nitrate, acetate, maleat fumarate, oxalate, lactate, tartrate, citrate, gluconat saccharate, p- oluene sulfonate and the like. The preferr ophthalmically acceptable anion is Cl ^" .

Examples of the quaternary ammonium substitut polypeptides useful in the present invention are tho materials, commonly known as "polyquats" which are based a collagen hydrolysate of relatively low molecular weigh Such materials are sold by Croda, Inc. under the tradema Croquat L (for a material which includes lauryl trimeth ammonium chloride groups) and Croquat S (for a material whi includes stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride groups). Su materials are known to be useful as foamers in hair shampoo Any suitable quaternary ammonium substitut carbohydrate material may be employed in the present inventi provided that it functions as described herein. In a usef embodiment, the quaternary ammonium substituted carbohydra material has a molecular weight, e.g., an average molecul weight, in the range of about 50,000 to about 200,00 Cellulosic materials are particularly useful carbohydrat based matrix materials, with hydroxyethyl cellulose bei particularly useful.

Examples of quaternary ammonium substitut carbohydrate materials useful in the present invention a those materials, in particular hydroxyethyl cellulos quaternised with alkyl fatty quaternary ammonium group Included among such materials are those sold by Croda, In under the trademark Crodacel QL (for a material in which t quaternary ammonium group includes a lauryl group), Crodac QM (for a material in which the quaternary ammonium gro includes a cocyl group) and Crodacel QS (for a material which the quaternary ammonium group includes a stearyl group Such materials are known for use as conditioners for hair ca and skin care products.

In addition to one or more QASMs, the prese compositions preferably include a water-soluble quaterna ammonium polymer, hereinafter referred to as WQAP. Su polymers are present in an amount effective to at lea

promote the action of the QASMs as disinfectants and/or preservatives. Thus, it has been found that the presence of a WQAP compliments or enhances the disinfecting and/or preserving obtained using the QASMs in the present invention. _ The amount of WQAP present is preferably in the range of about 0.00001% to about 1%, more preferably about 0.0001% to about 0.5% by weight per volume of ophthalmically acceptable medium. Particularly useful WQAPs include amine- epichlorohydrin polymers, ionene polymers and mixtures thereof. Such polymers and methods for their production are described in Buckman et al U.S. Patent 4,250,269, which-patent is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. A specific example of a WQAP useful in the present invention is poly (oxyethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene- (dimethyliminio) ethylene dichloride) , such as that sold by Buckman Laboratories, Inc. under the trademark WSCP. Anothe specific WQAP useful in the present invention is (1,5- dimethyl-1 , 5-diazaundecamethylene polymethobromide, hexadimethrine bromide) , sold by Aldrich Chemical Company 0 under the trademark Polybrene.

The present compositions may include other, e.g., complementary and/or potentiating, antimicrobial agents. Examples of such other antimicrobial agents include, but ar not limited to, thimerosal, sorbic acid, 1.5-pentanedial 5 alkyl triethanolamines, boric acid, ophthalmically acceptabl salts of any of the above, 3-chloroallyl-3, 5, 7, triaza-1 azonia adamantine chloride, phenylmercuric salts and mixture -thereof. Ophthalmically acceptable salts may include one o more ophthalmically acceptable anions, e.g., as noted above 0 or ophthalmically acceptable cations, in particular alkali an alkali metal cations. Materials which provide more than on beneficial or desired property to the present compositions ma also be included. For example, certain combinations o quaternary ammonium compounds which possess both antimicrobia

activity and wetting properties may be included. Examples of such combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds include, but are not limited to, balanced mixtures of N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and N-alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides. Each of these agents/materials may be included in the present compositions in ah amount effective to provide the beneficial or desired property or properties. The compositions of the present invention include an ophthalmically acceptable medium, preferably an ophthalmically acceptable liquid aqueous medium. This medium often acts as a carrier, e.g., as a solvent, for the -other components in the composition. A material is "ophthalmically acceptable" if the material can be placed into a mammalian eye without causing any substantial damage or harm to the eye. One particularly useful ophthalmically acceptable medium is water. Preferably, the medium, and in fact the entire composition, is sterile.

One or more additional components can be included in the present compositions based on the particular application for which the compositions are formulated. Thus, the present compositions can be formulated as disinfecting compositions, cleaning compositions, wetting compositions,, conditioning compositions, soaking compositions and the like. Also, the present compositions can be formulated to be useful in performing two or more contact lens caring operations. For example, a disinfecting/cleaning composition, or a cleaning/conditioning composition or even an all purpose lens care composition can be formulated and such multi-functional compositions are included within the scope of the present invention.

The additional component or components included in the present compositions are chosen to impart or provide at least one beneficial or desired property to the compositions. Such additional components may be selected from components

which are conventionally used in one or more contact lens care compositions. Examples of such additional components include buffering agents, cleaning agents, wetting agents, sequestering agents, viscosity builders, tonicity agents, nutrient agents, contact lens conditioning agents, antioxidants, pH adjustors, and the like. These additional components are each included in the present compositions in an amount effective to impart or provide the beneficial or desired property to the compositions. For example, such additional components may be included in the present compositions in amounts similar to the amounts of- such components used in other, e.g., conventional, contact lens care products.

Useful buffering agents include, but not limited to, acetate buffers, citrate buffers, phosphate buffers and borate buffers. Acids and bases may be used to adjust the pH of the present compositions as needed.

Useful wetting agents include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxamers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.

Useful sequestering agents include, but are not limited to, disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, alkali metal hexametaphosphate, citric acid, sodium citrate and mixtures thereof. Useful tonicity adjustors include, but are not limited to, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, mannitol, dextrose, glycerin, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof.

Useful viscosity builders include, but are not limited to, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.

Useful antioxidants include, but are not limited to, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, N-acetylcysteine, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene and

mixtures thereof.

In a particularly useful embodiment, the QASM- containing composition further includes at least one enzyme effective to remove debris from a contact lens. Among the types of debris that form on a contact lens during normal use are protein-based debris, mucin-based debris, lipid-based debris and carbohydrate-based debris. One or more types of debris may be present on a single contact lens.

The enzyme employed may be selected from enzymes which are conventionally employed in the enzymatic cleaning of contact lenses. For example, many of the enzymes disclosed in Huth et al U.S. Patent RE 32,672 and Karageozian et al U.S. Patent 3,910,296 are useful in the present invention. Each of these patents .is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. Among the useful enzymes are those selected from proteolytic enzymes, upases and mixtures thereof.

Preferred proteolytic enzymes are those which are substantially free of sulfhydryl groups or disulfide bonds. Metallo-proteases, those enzymes which contain a divalent metal ion such as calcium, magnesium or zinc bound to the protein, may also be used.

A more preferred group of proteolytic enzymes are the serine proteases, particularly those derived from Bacillus and Streptomyces bacteria and Asperigillus molds. Within this grouping, the still more preferred enzymes are the derived alkaline proteases generically called subtilisin enzymes. Reference is made to Deayl, L., Moser, P.W. and Wildi. B.S., "Proteases of the Genus Bacillus" . II alkaline proteases, "Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol. XII, pp 213-249 (1970) and Keay, L. and Moser, P.W., "Differentiation of Alkaline Proteases form Bacillus Species" Biochemical and Biophysical Research Comm. , Vol 34, No. 5, pp 600-604, (1969).

The subtilisin enzymes are broken down onto two sub¬ classes, subtilisin A and subtilisin B. In the subtilisin A

grouping are enzymes derived from such species as B_^ subtilis, B. licheniformis and B. pumilis. Organisms in this sub-class produce little or no neutral protease or amylase. The subtilisin B sub-class is made up of enzymes from such organisms as B. subtilis, B. subtilis var. amylosacchariticus, B. amyloli uefaciens and B. subtilis NRRL B3411. These organisms produce neutral proteases and amylases on a level about comparable -to their alkaline protease production. One or more enzymes from the subtilisin A sub-class are particularly useful.

In addition other preferred enzymes are, for example, pancreatin, trypsin, collaginase, keratinase, carboxylase, aminopeptidase, elastase, and aspergillo- peptidase A and B, pronase E (from S. griseus) and dispas (from B. polymyxa) .

An effective amount of enzyme is to be used in th practice of this invention. Such amount will be that amoun which effects removal in a reasonable time (for example abou 4 hours to overnight) of substantially all proteinaceou deposits from a lens due to normal wear. This standard i stated with reference to contact lens wearers with a histor of normal pattern of protein accretion, not the very smal group who may at one time or another have a significantl increased rate of protein deposit such that cleaning i recommended every day, or every two or three days.

The amount of enzyme required to make an effectiv cleaner will depend on several factors, including the inheren activity of the enzyme, and the excipient it contains.

As a basic yardstick, the working solution shoul contain sufficient enzyme to provide about 0.001 to about Anson units of activity, preferably about 0.01 to about Anson units, per single lens treatment. Higher or lowe amounts may be used.

Enzyme .activity is pH dependent. Thus, for any given enzyme, there is a particular pH range in which that enzyme will function best. The determination of such range can readily be done by known techniques. The present compositions may be used in the care of a contact lens, e.g., to disinfect the lens, to preserve the lens, to otherwise treat the lens and/or to make wearing the lens safe and comfortable. The present compositions, formulated appropriately, may be used in conventional contact lens care regimens by using the present compositions in place of prior conventional compositions. In many instances,-these contact lens care regimens involve contacting the lens with the present composition in an amount, and at conditions, effective to obtain the beneficial or desired contact lens care result. For example, a contact lens to be disinfected may be contacted with a disinfecting composition, e.g. , aqueous solution, according to the present invention, preferably at a temperature in the range of about 0°Cto about 100°C, more preferably in the range of about 10°C to about 60° C and still more preferably in the range of about 15°C to about 30°C. Contacting at or about ambient temperature is very convenient and useful. The contacting preferably occurs at or about atmospheric pressure. The contacting preferably occurs for a time to substantially disinfect the lens being treated. Such contacting times can be in the range of about 1 minute to about 12 hours or more.

After this contacting, the disinfected contact lens can be taken from the composition and placed directly in an eye, e.g., a human eye, for safe and comfortable wear. Alternately, after being disinfected, the contact lens can be contacted with a second medium, e.g., a liquid aqueous medium such as a preserved isotonic saline solution, prior to being placed in the eye of the wearer of the disinfected contact lens.

The contact lens care compositions disclosed herein are adaptable for use in most types of contact lens care equipment, such as ultrasonic cleaners and the like.

The following examples are set out to illustrate, but not limit, the scope of this invention.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 4 A series of four (4) compositions were prepared by blending the constituents together. These compositions were as follows: CONSTITUENT COMPOSITION (5)

Quaternary ammonium' ' substituted polypeptide, wt. % 0.01 0.001 0.005 0.0

Water-soluble quaternary' ' ammonium polymer, wt.% 0.006 0.001 0.006 Disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, wt.%

Sodium chloride, wt% Boric acid, wt.%

Sodium Borate

Decahydrate NF, Wt.% 0.2 0.132 0.2 0. Nonionic surfactant ^x ' wt.% 0.1 0.

Hydroxyethyl cellulose NF, wt.% 0.65

Polyvinylpyrrolidone 0.

USP, wt. %

Polyethylene glycol 300 NF, wt.% 3.0

Polyoxyl 40 stearate, 0.5 wt. % Sodium acetate 0.498

(trihydrate) USP, wt.%

CONSTITUENT COMPOSITION (5)

1 2

Sodium citrate 0.132 (dihydrate) USP, wt. %

Dextrose monohydrate, 0.06 wt.%

Potassium chloride, 0.0456 wt.%

Calcium chloride 0.0216 (dehydrate) USP, wt.%

Magnesium chloride 0.018 hexahydrate USP, wt.% pH Range 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.6 7.5 7.5 7.5

Purified water, USP QS QS QS QS

(1) An aqueous solution containing 50% by weight of a quaternary ammonium substituted polypeptide having a molecular weight of about 2500. This material, which includes lauryl trimethyl ammonium chloride groups covalently bonded to the polypeptide chain through amino groups, is sold under the trademark CROQUAT

L by Croda, Inc.

(2) A concentrate containing 60% by weight of poly (oxyethylene (dimethyliminio) ethylene- (dimethyliminio) ethylene dichloride) sold under the trademark WSCP by Buckman Laboratories, Inc.

(3) A nonionic surfactant containing polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer and sold under the trademark Pluronic F 127 by BASF Wyandotte Corporation.

(4) In Compositions 1, 3, and 4, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide were added to give a pH within the range indicated. In Composition 2, glacial acetic acid was used.

(5) ^• Composition 1 was formulated as a rigid gas permeable contact lens soaking and disinfecting solution. Composition 2 was formulated as in-the-eye cleaning and rewetting _ nutrient drops.Compositions 3 and 4 were formulated as disinfecting solutions for hydrogel soft contact lenses.

Each of these compositions was tested, following the standard procedure, to determine the D-value with respect to various microorganisms. The D-value is defined as the length of time required to reduce the microbial burden or load by one log unit.

Results of these tests were as follows: Microorganism Extra olated D-Value at 23 C. , min.

0

All of thes preservative efficacy and passed the USP preservative efficacy 5 criteria.

These results demonstrate that quaternary ammonium substituted polypeptides at concentrations ranging from 0.0005% to about 0.005%, by weight, are effective antimicrobial preservatives for contact lens care products. 0 The inclusion of a water-soluble quaternary ammonium polymer, such as in Compositions 1, 2 and 3, increases the antimicrobial activity of the composition against certain microorganisms. Compositions 1, 3, and 4 each is quite effective as a contact lens disinfecting solution in a 5 standard contact lens care regimen, with or without simultaneous or sequential enzymatic lens cleaning as part o the regimen. Composition 2 is effectively preserved and is

useful when administered as in-the-eye cleaning and rewetting nutrient drops.

EXAMPLE 5 Composition 3, described above, is used to disinfec a conventional hydrogel soft contact lens as follows. 7.5 ml of the composition is provided at room temperature. Th contact lens to be disinfected is placed in the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into th composition, it is removed from the composition and place directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that after fou hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected. Also, th lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation for wearing the disinfected contact lens. Alternately, after th contacting for four hours noted above, the disinfected contac lens is rinsed with preserved or non-preserved steril isotonic saline solution prior to placing the disinfected len in the wearer's eye. The lens wearer experiences n discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected contact lens. EXAMPLE 6

Example 5 is repeated except that about 50 ppm by weight of subtilisin A, based on the total weight of the Composition 4 used, is added at the same time the contact lens to be disinfected is added to the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into the composition, it is removed from the composition, rinsed wit Composition 3, or preserved or non-preserved sterile isotonic saline solution, and placed directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that, after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected and cleaned of protein-based debris. Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or ey irritation from wearing the disinfected and cleaned contac lens.

EXAMPLE 7 Composition 4, described above, is used to disinfect a conventional hydrogel soft contact lens as follows. 7.5 ml of the composition is provided at room temperature. The contact lens to be disinfected is placed in the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into the composition, it is removed from the composition and placed directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected. Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected contact lens. Alternately, after the contacting for four hours noted above, the disinfected contact lens is rinsed with preserved or non-preserved sterile isotonic saline solution prior to placing the disinfected lens in the wearer's eye. The lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected contact lens.

EXAMPLE 8 _.

Example 7 is repeated except that about 50 ppm by weight of subtilisin A, based on the total weight of the

Composition 4 used, is added at the same time the contact lens to be disinfected is added to the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into the composition, it is removed from the composition, washed with Composition 4, or preserved or non-preserved sterile isotonic saline solution, and placed directly into the wearer's eye.

It is found that after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected and cleaned of protein-based debris.

Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected and cleaned contact lens.

EXAMPLES 9-12

A series of compositions similar to Compositions 1 to 4 are prepared. In each case, however, the quaternary ammonium substituted polypeptide is replaced by an equivalent, i.e., in terms of antimicrobial activity, amount of a quaternary ammonium substituted hydroxyethyl cellulose. This material includes lauryl dimethyl ammonium chloride groups.

This material is sold under the trademark CRODACEL QL by

Croda, Inc. Compositions 9, 10, 11 and 12 correspond to Compositions 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

All of these compositions are tested- for preservation efficacy and passes the USP preservative efficacy criteria.

The quaternary ammonium substituted hydroxyethyl cellulose is an effective antimicrobial preservative for contact lens care products. Compositions 9, 11 and 12 each is quite effective as a contact lens disinfecting solution in a standard contact lens care regimen, with or without simultaneous or sequential enzymatic lens cleaning as part of the regimen. Composition 10 is effectively preserved and is useful when administered as in-the-eye cleaning and rewetting nutrient drops.

EXAMPLE 13

Composition 11, described above, is used to disinfect a conventional hydrogel soft contact lens as follows. 7.5 ml of the composition is provided at room temperature. The contact lens to be disinfected is placed in the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into the composition, it is removed from the composition and.placed directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected. Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected contact lens.

Alternately, after the contacting for four hours noted above,

the disinfected contact lens is rinsed with preserved or non- preserved sterile isotonic saline solution prior to placing the disinfected lens in the wearer's eye. The lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected contact lens.

EXAMPLE 14 Example 13 is repeated except that about 50 ppm by weight of subtilisin A, based on the total weight of the Composition 11 used, is added at the same time the contact lens to be disinfected is added to the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into the composition, it is removed from the composition, rinsed with Composition 11, or preserved or non-preserved sterile isotonic saline solution, and placed directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected and cleaned of protein-based debris. Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected and cleaned contact lens. EXAMPLE 15

Composition 12, described above, is used to disinfect a conventional hydrogel soft contact lens as follows. 7.5 ml of the composition is provided at room temperature. The contact lens to be disinfected is placed in the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first introduced into the composition, it is removed from the composition and placed directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected. Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation form wearing the disinfected contact lens. Alternately, after the contacting for four hours noted above, the disinfected contact lens is rinsed with preserved or non- preserved sterile isotonic saline solution prior to placing the disinfected lens in the wearer's eye. The lens wearer

experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected contact lens.

EXAMPLE 16 Example 15 is repeated except that about 50 ppm by weight of subtilisin A, based on the total weight of the

Composition 12 used, is added at the same time the contact lens to be disinfected is added to the composition. Four hours after the contact lens is first removed from the composition, it is introduced into the composition, rinsed with composition 12, or preserved or non-preserved sterile isotonic saline solution, and placed directly into the wearer's eye. It is found that after four hours, the contact lens is effectively disinfected and cleaned of protein-based debris. Also, the lens wearer experiences no discomfort or eye irritation from wearing the disinfected and cleaned contact lens.

While this invention has been described with respect to various specific examples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that it can be variously practiced within the scope of the following claims.