Tear transplantation and multi-part contact lens with absorbent portion

Abstract

A contact lens or conjunctival cover, including an internal absorbent medium; an external carrier medium; the external carrier medium having openings therein that allow fluid to pass between an exterior of the contact lens or conjunctival cover and the internal absorbent medium thereby to be absorbed and released by the internal absorbent medium. Also, a method of treating dry eye syndrome, including: gathering donor tears from eyes of an individual having healthy tears; storing the donor tears in an absorbent medium; placing the absorbent medium with the donor tears absorbed therein in contact with an eye or eyes affected by dry eye syndrome; and dispersing the donor tears over an ocular surface of the eyes affected by dry eye syndrome.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A contact lens or conjunctival cover, comprising:
 an internal absorbent medium;   an external carrier medium;   the external carrier medium having openings therein that allow fluid to pass between an exterior of the contact lens or conjunctival cover and the internal absorbent medium thereby tobe absorbed and released by the internal absorbent medium.   
     
     
         19 . The contact lens or conjunctival cover as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the internal absorbent medium further comprises donor tears. 
     
     
         20 . The contact lens or conjunctival cover as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the internal absorbent medium comprises a super absorbent material. 
     
     
         21 . The contact lens or conjunctival cover as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the superabsorbent material absorbs tears at a rate of between  40  and  60  times a weight of the superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         22 . The contact lens or conjunctival cover as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the absorbent material comprises a highly absorbent material. 
     
     
         23 . The contact lens or conjunctival cover as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the absorbent material further comprises sterilized or disinfected donor tears.