Method and Kit for Moisturizing the Surface of the Eye

Abstract

A method for moisturizing the eye in which an amount of aqueous fluid is administered to the eye in an amount below that which causes flooding of the eye and removal of the normal tear film from the surface of the eye. The fluid, when administered in accordance with the invention, rehydrates the already present tear film rather than replacing the tear film. A kit for moisturizing the eye in accordance with the invention is also disclosed.

1 . A method for moisturizing the eye comprising spraying from a handheld device a mist consisting essentially of droplets of water having an average diameter between 5 and 150 microns on the surface of the eye of a subject in need thereof, wherein the amount of water that is sprayed on the eye is sufficient to hydrate the aqueous layer of the tear film on the eye of the subject but is below that which will wash away the tear film. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is suffering from dry eye. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein proteins and electrolytes that were present in the tear film on the surface of the eye prior to the delivery of the aqueous fluid are present in the tear film following the delivery of the aqueous fluid to the surface of the eye as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the handheld device comprises a sealed container, water within said container, and an actuator for spraying a mist of water from said container 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the device further a sealed flexible pouch containing said water within said container and a pressurization agent between said container and said pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mist is sprayed within a period of 10 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the mist is sprayed within a period of 5 seconds. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein less than about 10 μl is sprayed onto the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein between about 0.5 and 6 μl is sprayed onto the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein between about 2 and 5 μl is sprayed onto the surface of the eye. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is suffering from dryness of the eye. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mist has an osmolarity of less than 311 mOsm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein proteins and electrolytes present in the tear film on the surface of the eye prior to the spraying of the mist remain in the tear film following the spraying of the mist to the surface of the eye as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).