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 - 33 . (canceled)  
   
   
       34 . A composition comprising: 
 an ophthalmically acceptable, aqueous carrier component including a potassium component and an alkaline earth metal component; and    a vasoconstrictor component in an amount effective to treat hyperemia when the composition is administered to an eye.    
   
   
       35 . The composition of  claim 34  which has a pH in a range of about 6.7 to about 8.0.  
   
   
       36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . The composition of  claim 34  wherein the alkaline earth metal component is present and is selected from the group consisting of calcium components, magnesium components and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       38 . The composition of  claim 34  wherein the alkaline earth metal component is present in an amount in a range of about 0.001% to about 0.05% (w/v).  
   
   
       39 . The composition of  claim 34  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.  
   
   
       40 . The composition of  claim 34  which further comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor component in an amount effective in preserving the composition.  
   
   
       41 . The composition of  claim 34  further comprises a demulcent component in an amount effective to provide lubrication to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye.  
   
   
       42 . The composition of  claim 34  which is free of an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid component.