Packaging solutions

Abstract

A packaging system for the storage of an ophthalmic device, such as a hydrogel contact lens, employs an aqueous packaging solution including a nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol and a nonionic polymeric conditioning agent. Preferably, the solution has an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsm/kg, a pH of about 6 to about 8 and is heat sterilized.

1 . A method of preparing a package comprising a storable, sterile ophthalmic device, the method comprising:
 (a) immersing an ophthalmic device in a solution comprising a nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol and a nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent, wherein the solution has an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsm/kg and a pH in the range of about 6 to about 8;   (b) packaging the solution and the device in a manner preventing contamination of the lens by microorganisms; and   (c) sterilizing the packaged solution and device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic device is a contact lens. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic device comprises a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising one or more silicone-containing monomers. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of nonionic polysaccharide, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and a polymer of PEO. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of methylcellulose; hydroxyethylcellulose; hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; and methylhydroxyethyl starch. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent comprises a block copolymers of PEO and PPO. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent comprises polyvinylalcohol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent is about 0.01 to about 10% w/w. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol contains 2 to 12 carbon atoms and 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, manitol, monosaccarides, and disaccharides. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the wherein the nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol and manitol. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution further comprises a buffering agent. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the buffering agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of: phosphate; borate; citrate; carbonate; TRIS; bis-tris; Tricine; MOPS; ACES; and an amino acid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , including hermetically sealing the contact lens and the contact lens packing solution in the package and heat sterilizing the package contents. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution does not contain an effective disinfecting amount of a disinfecting agent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution does not contain a germicide compound. 
     
     
         17 . A packaging system for the storage of an ophthalmic device comprising a sealed container containing an unused ophthalmic device immersed in an aqueous packing solution comprising a nonionic, nonpolymeric polyol and a nonionic, polymeric conditioning agent, wherein the solution has an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsm/kg and a pH in the range of about 6 to about 8. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging system of  claim 17 , wherein the ophthalmic device is a contact lens. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging system of  claim 18 , wherein the ophthalmic device comprises a silicone hydrogel contact lens. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging system of  claim 18 , wherein the solution does not contain an effective disinfecting amount of a disinfecting agent.