Compositions for treating hyperemia

Abstract

The present compositions advantageously treat hyperemia with substantially no added irritation to the eye. In one embodiment, the compositions include an ophthalmically acceptable carrier component, a vasoconstrictor component in an amount effective to treat hyperemia when the composition is administered to an eye, and a polyanionic component in an amount effective to provide lubrication to an eye when the compositions are administered to the eye.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A composition comprising: 
 an ophthalmically acceptable carrier component;    a chlorine dioxide precursor component in an amount effective in preserving the composition; and    a vasoconstrictor component in an amount effective to treat hyperemia when the composition is administered to an eye.    
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the chlorine dioxide precursor component is present in an amount in a range of about 10 ppm to about 200 ppm.  
   
   
       20 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the chlorine dioxide precursor component is the sole material effective as a preservative in the composition.  
   
   
       21 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the chlorine dioxide precursor component includes at least one chlorite component.  
   
   
       22 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the vasoconstrictor component is substantially stable in the presence of the chlorine dioxide precursor component.  
   
   
       23 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the vasoconstrictor component comprises an alpha-1-adrenergic agonist.  
   
   
       24 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the vasoconstrictor component comprises a tetrahydrozoline.  
   
   
       25 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the carrier component comprises water.  
   
   
       26 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the carrier component includes at least one of a potassium component and an alkaline earth metal component.  
   
   
       27 . The composition of  claim 26  wherein the alkaline earth metal component is present and is selected from the group consisting of calcium components, magnesium components and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       28 . The composition of  claim 26  wherein the alkaline earth metal component is present in an amount in a range of about 0.001% to about 0.05% (w/v).  
   
   
       29 . The composition of  claim 18  wherein the carrier component includes at least one of an effective amount of a buffer component and an effective amount of a tonicity adjuster component.  
   
   
       30 . The composition of  claim 18  further comprises a demulcent component in an amount effective to provide lubrication to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye.  
   
   
       31 . The composition of  claim 30  wherein the demulcent component is selected from the group consisting of polyanionic components, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, dextran, gelatin, glycerin, polyethylene glycols, polysorbates, propylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       32 . The composition of  claim 30  wherein the demulcent component is selected from the group consisting of anionic cellulosic derivatives and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       33 . The composition of  claim 30  wherein the demulcent component is selected from the group consisting of carboxy methyl celluloses and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       34 - 42 . (canceled)