Hydrogel contact lenses and package systems and production methods for same

Abstract

Contact lenses ready for use in an eye are provided including a contact lens body containing a hydrophilic polymeric component and a water soluble polymer component. Such contact lenses, which preferably are wet cast molded, are particularly useful as disposable or single use lenses. New contact lens packaging systems and production methods are also provided.

1 . A contact lens package, comprising:
 a cavity;   a single use disposable hydrogel contact lens disposed in the cavity, the contact lens comprising a cast molded contact lens body comprising (i) a hydrophilic polymeric material obtained from polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising a hydrophilic monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl acrylates, hydroxyalkyl methacrylates, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, acrylamides, vinyl alcohol, hydrophilic polyurethane precursors, glycerol acrylates, glycerol methacrylates, acrylates, methacrylates, and mixtures thereof; and (ii) a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer immobilized in the contact lens body by the hydrophilic polymeric material;   a sterile packaging liquid disposed in the cavity and in contact with the contact lens, the packaging liquid including a separate amount of a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer; and   a seal surrounding the cavity to maintain the contact lens in a sterile environment.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer mixture comprises 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, at least one cross-linking monomer, and methacrylic acid. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the monomer mixturer further comprises an ultraviolet-absorbing monomer. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the sterile packaging liquid is surfactant-free. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer present in the contact lens is in an amount of about 1% to about 50% by weight of the hydrophilic polymeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer present in the contact lens is in an amount of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the hydrophilic polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer present in the contact lens is in an amount of about 10% to about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer is present in an amount effective to increase the comfort of the contact lens to a wearer of the contact lens compared to an identical contact lens without the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer is physically immobilized in the contact lens body. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer present in the contact lens and the hydrophilic polymeric material form an interpenetrating network or a psuedo interpenetrating network. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens body is structured so that at least a portion of the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer is water-replaceable. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens comprises at least two water soluble polymers. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein one of the water soluble polymers is polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging liquid comprises a saline solution. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging liquid comprises a buffered saline solution. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is sterilized. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the contact lens body is a reaction product of the monomer mixture and the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer present in the monomer mixture. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging liquid is a liquid including the polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer prior to the packaging liquid being placed in the cavity.