Ophthalmic compositions for lubricating eyes and methods for making and using same

Abstract

Ophthalmic compositions include an ophthalmically acceptable carrier component, for example, an aqueous-based carrier, and a plurality of polyanionic component portions having different molecular weights. In one embodiment, the polyanionic component includes a first polyanionic component portion having a first molecular weight; and a second polyanionic component portion having a different second molecular weight. Each of the first and second polyanionic component portions is present in an amount effective to provide lubrication to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.

1 - 40 . (canceled)  
     
     
         41 . An ophthalmic composition comprising: 
 an ophthalmically acceptable carrier component; and    a blended polyanionic component including a first polyanionic component portion having a first average molecular weight; and a second polyanionic component portion having a second average molecular weight which is at least 50,000 Daltons less than the first average molecular weight, wherein the first and second polyanionic component portions are each present in an amount effective to provide lubrication to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye and wherein the first and second polyanionic component portions are each selected from the group consisting of anionic cellulosic derivatives and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the composition has an increased ability to adhere to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye relative to a substantially identical composition having an equal total amount of the polyanionic component and substantially no first polyanionic component portion.  
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the composition has a reduced ability to cause blurriness of vision in an eye when the composition is administered to an eye relative to a substantially identical composition having an equal total amount of the polyanionic component and substantially no second polyanionic component portion.  
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 42  wherein the composition has a reduced ability to cause blurriness of vision in an eye when the composition is administered to an eye relative to a substantially identical composition having an equal total amount of polyanionic component and substantially no second polyanionic component.  
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein each of the first and second polyanionic component portions is present in an amount of at least about 0.1% (w/v) of the composition.  
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 41  which has a viscosity in a range of about 15 cps to about 200 cps.  
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the blended polyanionic component is present in an amount in a range of about 0.2% to about 5% (w/v) of the composition.  
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the blended polyanionic component is present in an total amount within a range of about 0.6% to about 1.8% (w/v).  
     
     
         49 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the weight ratio of the first polyanionic component portion and the second polyanionic component portion is in a range of about 0.02 to about 50 (w/v).  
     
     
         50 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the weight ratio of the first polyanionic component portion and the second polyanionic component portion is in a range of about 0.25 to about 4 (w/v).  
     
     
         51 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the blended polyanionic component further comprises a third polyanionic component portion having a third average molecular weight different from the first and second average molecular weights, the third polyanionic component portion being present in an amount effective to provide lubrication to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye.  
     
     
         52 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the carrier component includes at least one of the following: an effective amount of a buffer component; an effective amount of a tonicity component; an effective amount of a preservative component; and water.  
     
     
         53 . A composition comprising a blended polyanionic component comprising a first polyanionic component portion and a second polyanionic component portion having a higher average molecular weight than that of the first polyanionic component portion, wherein the first and second polyanionic component portions each have an average molecular weight between about 90,000 Daltons and about 700,000 Daltons, provided that the average molecular weights of the first and second portions differ by at least about 50,000 Daltons, and wherein the first or second polyanionic component portion comprises an anionic cellulose derivative or mixture thereof.  
     
     
         54 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein the composition has an increased ability to adhere to an eye when the composition is administered to an eye relative to a substantially identical composition having an equal total amount of the polyanionic components and substantially no first polyanionic component portion.  
     
     
         55 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein the composition has a reduced ability to cause blurriness of vision in an eye when the composition is administered to an eye relative to a substantially identical composition having an equal total amount of the polyanionic components and substantially no second polyanionic component portion.  
     
     
         56 . The composition of  claim 53 , wherein said composition is therapeutically effective in the treatment of dry eye when administered topically.  
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein each of the first and second polyanionic component portions is present in an amount of at least about 0.1% (w/v) of the composition.  
     
     
         58 . The composition of  claim 53  which has a viscosity in a range of about 15 cps to about 200 cps.  
     
     
         59 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein the blended polyanionic component is present in an amount in a range of about 0.2% to about 5% (w/v) of the composition.  
     
     
         60 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein the blended polyanionic component is present in an total amount within a range of about 0.6% to about 1.8% (w/v).  
     
     
         61 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein the weight ratio of the first polyanionic component portion and the second polyanionic component portion is in a range of about 0.02 to about 50 (w/v).  
     
     
         62 . The composition of  claim 53  wherein the weight ratio of the first polyanionic component portion and the second polyanionic component portion is in a range of about 0.25 to about 4 (w/v).