Method for optimizing vision

Abstract

A method for optimizing vision by topically administering an ophthalmic formulation in aqueous solution comprising a sterile aqueous carrier including an ophthalmic artificial tear solution, and a pharmaceutically active compound consisting essentially of phentolamine in a therapeutically effective amount to contract a pupil of a human patient's eye in dim light so that the pupil is effectively reduced by 1.0 mm or more to improve vision in dim light and further to minimize eye redness.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for optimizing vision, the method comprising:
 topically administering an ophthalmic formulation in aqueous solution, the solution comprising a sterile aqueous carrier including an ophthalmic artificial tear solution; and   a pharmaceutically active compound consisting essentially of phentolamine in a therapeutically effective amount to contract a pupil of a human patient's eye in dim light so that the pupil is effectively reduced by 1.0 mm or more to improve vision in dim light and further to minimize eye redness.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is present in a concentration in a range of from about 0.01 milligrams per cubic centimeter of solvent to about 50 milligrams per cubic centimeter of solvent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pupil is effectively reduced from a pupil diameter of 6 mm or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic artificial tear solution includes hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in an amount of about 0.2% to 1.5% by weight of the ophthalmic artificial tear solution. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is administered in an amount so as to optimize pupil diameter in dim light to no more than 5 mm and pupil diameter in bright light is constricted by no more than 1 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pupil diameter is effectively reduced to a diameter ranging from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ophthalmic artificial tear solution comprises at least carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, benzalkonium chloride, glycerin, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is topically administered in a single dose per day of use. 
     
     
         9 . A method of improving vision in dim light, the method comprising:
 topically administering an ophthalmic formulation in aqueous solution, the aqueous solution comprising;   a sterile aqueous carrier including an ophthalmic artificial tear solution; and   a pharmaceutically active compound consisting essentially of phentolamine in a therapeutically effective amount to contract a pupil of a human patient's eye in dim light so that the pupil is effectively reduced to improve vision in dim light and further to minimize eye redness; and   wherein the ophthalmic artificial tear solution includes hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in an amount of about 0.2% to 1.5% by weight of the ophthalmic artificial tear solution.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is present in a concentration in a range of from about 0.01 milligrams per cubic centimeter of solvent to about 50 milligrams per cubic centimeter of solvent. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is administered in a single dose per day of use. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pupil is effectively reduced from a pupil diameter of 6 mm or greater. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the formulation is administered in an amount so as to optimize pupil diameter in dim light to no more than 5 mm and pupil diameter in bright light is constricted by no more than 1 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the pupil diameter is effectively reduced to a diameter ranging from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the ophthalmic artificial tear solution comprises at least one of carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, benzalkonium chloride, glycerin, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A method of improving vision while minimizing eye redness, the method comprising:
 topically administering an ophthalmic formulation in aqueous solution, the aqueous solution comprising;   a sterile aqueous carrier including an ophthalmic artificial tear solution; and   a pharmaceutically active compound consisting essentially of phentolamine in a therapeutically effective amount to contract a pupil of a human patient's eye in dim light from a pupil diameter of 6 mm or greater so that the pupil is effectively reduced to improve vision in dim light and further to minimize eye redness.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is present in a concentration in a range of from about 0.01 milligrams per cubic centimeter of solvent to about 50 milligrams per cubic centimeter of solvent. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is administered in a single dose per day of use. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pupil diameter is effectively reduced to a diameter ranging from about 3 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the formulation is administered in an amount so as to optimize pupil diameter in dim light to no more than 5 mm and pupil diameter in bright light is constricted by no more than 1 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the ophthalmic artificial tear solution comprises at least carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, benzalkonium chloride, glycerin, or combinations thereof.