| abstract |
Disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting the uptake of proteins and reducing the formation of lysozyme deposits on the outer surface and inner bulk matrix of hydrophilic contact lenses. One method comprises contacting a contact lens with a chemical agent selected from the group consisting of protamines, polyarginine, polylysine, chitosan and mixtures thereof. Another method comprises placing the lens in a hypotonic solution for a period of time sufficient to cause the lens to swell and the pores of the matrix to expand. A negatively charged chemical agent selected from the group consisting of chloride salts, chlorite salts, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid sodium salts, cysteine salts and mixtures thereof is then added to the solution such that the osmotic pressure of the solution causes the lens and its pores to constrict to their normal size. The chemical agent is also present in an amount sufficient to cause desorption of the protein deposits from the surface and matrix of the lenss. Subsequently, the lens is soaked in the solution having the chemical agent for a period of time to appreciably reduce and/or inhibit the formation of protein deposits on and/or in the lens. Another method of this invention comprises contacting a contact lens with a high molecular weight, negatively charged chemical agent selected from the group consisting of, for example, alginic acid, xanthan gum and mixtures thereof. |