JP3022989B2 - Method for cleaning and disinfecting soft contact lenses and treatment solution for soft contact lenses - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for cleaning and disinfecting a soft contact lens and a processing solution used for the method.

2. Description of the Related Art Soft contact lenses (hereinafter referred to as "lenses") are susceptible to eye damage if worn for a long time because dirt in the environment, microorganisms, proteins in tears, etc. adhere to the soft contact lenses when worn. Therefore, it needs to be cleaned and sterilized regularly, preferably daily.

As a cleaning method, cleaning has conventionally been performed by hand using a solution containing a surfactant. With such a cleaning method, it is possible to remove surface dirt, but proteins such as proteins entering the inside of the lens are used. Dirt cannot be removed. In addition, when boiling and disinfection is performed in this state, denaturation and coagulation of the protein entering the lens progresses, and the denatured protein and the coagulated protein adhere to the lens more strongly, and as a result, the lens becomes cloudy. There is a problem that occurs.

Conventionally, a detergent containing a protease has been known as a detergent for recycling a lens contaminated with protein. However, the cleaning method using this cleaning agent can degrade proteins attached to the lens surface, but in order to further degrade proteins denatured inside the lens, the protease itself enters the lens. Therefore, it takes a long time to develop the washing effect, and a sufficient protein removing effect cannot be obtained.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,185 discloses a method of removing proteins by electrophoresis by immersing a lens in a boric acid-EDTA buffer solution having a pH in the range of 8 to 9 to form an electric field in a certain direction, and washing. Is described. By performing this method, proteins that have entered the inside of the lens can be removed, but such a method requires that the proteins be in an undenatured and ionized state, In addition, there is a problem that the processing time becomes long. Furthermore, in the method described in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent, heating cannot be performed to prevent the protein from being denatured by heat, so that boric acid is used to disinfect the lens by the preservative and bactericidal power of boric acid. For example, it is used at a high concentration of 0.808 mol / l, and the pH is kept at 8 to 9 on the alkaline side. If boric acid is used in such a high concentration, even if it has a bactericidal effect, due to the high pH and osmotic pressure, it is dangerous when worn on the eyes after treatment, and there is a problem with eye safety .

On the other hand, as a method of disinfecting a lens, in addition to the above-mentioned boiling disinfection method, JP-A-56-68454 and JP-A-57-1
JP-A-58-38559, JP-A-58-38559, and JP-A-58-38559 disclose a method of immersing a lens in a saline solution as described in JP-A-53658 and disinfecting by generating hypochlorite by passing an electric current. 6
The lens as described in 8858 and JP 60-217333 discloses sterilized by immersion in aqueous solution of H ₂ O _2, decomposition of H ₂ O ₂ using a metal catalyst, a reducing agent and an enzyme catalyst And methods for detoxification are known.

However, in the method of generating hypochlorite by electrolysis, it takes time for the hypochlorite remaining in the treatment tank to spontaneously disappear after the disinfection treatment, and the hypochlorite remains in the lens. The operation must be complicated because it must be reduced in order not to remain on the lens, and if the processing is applied to a color contact lens or a lens marked by dyeing, the color or mark of the lens There is a problem that the color is decolorized by the processing.

In addition the method of using the aqueous H ₂ O ₂ solution, since it is necessary to decompose the H ₂ O ₂ remaining in the lens, on top takes a long time to the operation, H ₂ O ₂ remaining inside the lens
If it is not completely decomposed, it gives an irritation such as seeing into eyes when worn, so it is not an appropriate sterilization method.

Preservatives for soft contact lenses include, but are not limited to, physiological saline, preservatives such as thimerosal, chlorohexidine, methylparaben, propylparaben, and sorbic acid, and metal ions such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, gluconic acid, and citric acid. Liquid preparations to which a blocking agent has been added, liquid preparations obtained by dissolving tablets of the compound in purified water or distilled water at the time of use, and the like are known.

However, when soft contact lenses are immersed in these preservative solutions for soft contact lenses, and a direct current is passed through them to wash and disinfect the soft contact lenses, the chlorine ions present in the preservative solution are converted to hypochlorite. There is a problem that the hypochlorite causes the deterioration of the material of the soft contact lens, and further, the color soft contact lens and the soft contact lens marked by dyeing are discolored and decolorized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning a lens with excellent detergency and at the same time disinfecting and disinfecting the lens without any adverse effect on the eyes.

The second object of the present invention is not only to be safe without any adverse effects on the eyes, but also to have any adverse effects on soft contact lenses when subjected to electrical treatment. To provide a processing solution for soft contact lenses.

Further, a third object of the present invention is to provide a method for mechanically identifying a preservative solution for soft contact lenses even when a conventionally used preservative solution for soft contact lenses is mistakenly used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a processing solution for soft contact lenses having the following.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION That is, the present invention provides a soft contact lens characterized in that a soft contact lens is immersed in a processing solution that does not generate hypohalite by electrolysis, a direct current is passed, and the temperature of the processing solution is further increased. Cleaning and disinfection method, and the treatment liquid contains a treatment agent mainly composed of boric acid and borax at a concentration of 2.2 w / v% or less, and the electric conductivity is 8 m
The present invention relates to a processing solution for soft contact lenses, which has a S / cm or less.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows that in Reference Example 1 of the present invention,
5 is a graph showing the relationship between the current supply time and the concentration of peroxide in the processing liquid when a voltage of 0 V is applied and an initial current of 0.2 A flows. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of an apparatus for examining protein electrophoresis in Reference Example 8 and Comparative Reference Example 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view of a washing apparatus used in Experimental Example 1. .

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION When charged particles are present in a colloidal state in a processing solution, an electrode is placed in a processing solution containing the particles, and when a DC voltage is applied as an electric field, the particles eventually become Move toward one of the poles. This phenomenon is electrophoresis, and the present invention utilizes this property to remove proteins from the inside and surface of the lens. In the present invention, when a direct current (hereinafter, referred to as a current) is passed through a processing solution that does not generate hypohalite by electrolysis, peroxide is contained in the processing solution when the current value is more than a certain level. This is to utilize the generation, and the lens is washed by decomposing and removing the protein present in the lens by the generated peroxide, and at the same time, the processing liquid is treated by the electric resistance of the processing liquid. This is a method of boiling and disinfecting the lens by heating.

In the present invention, an effective protein solubilization can be achieved by the action of peroxide generated by passing an electric current through a treatment solution in which a lens is immersed, and the protein stain can be removed in a very short time. Can be finished. Although the mechanism of such protein degradation is not yet clear, it is presumed that the peroxide acts on the amide to cleave the peptide bond of the protein like hydrolysis.

In the present invention, the peroxide is generated by an electrode reaction that occurs when a current flows in the processing solution,
There is no need to adjust the peroxide solution in particular, and such peroxides begin to decrease when the processing solution is brought to a boiled state by heating due to electric resistance, and almost disappear after processing, and remain on the lens. No troublesome operation such as reduction is required. Therefore, the user can simply wear the lens into the eye after treatment by simply immersing the lens in the treatment liquid.

In the present invention, a processing liquid that does not generate hypohalite such as hypochlorite by electrolysis and generates peroxide is used as the processing liquid. Specific examples of such a treatment liquid include, for example, an aqueous solution containing a treatment agent mainly composed of boric acid and borax, veronal buffer, veronal-acetate buffer, tris-glycine buffer, tris-citrate buffer, Alanine-acetate buffer,
Glycine-acetate buffer, borate buffer, phosphate buffer, citrate buffer, acetate buffer, oxalate buffer, Tris-EDTA buffer, succinate buffer, tartrate buffer buffers such as liquid, for example, aqueous K ₂ CO _3, Na ₂ CO ₃ aqueous solution, NaHCO ₃ solution, Na ₂ SO ₄ aqueous solution, (NH _{4) 2} SO ₄ aqueous solution, such as aqueous solution of CH ₃ COONa solution, and the like, These treatment solutions are used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, the lens material,
Aqueous solution containing boric acid and borax as a main component, phosphate buffer, etc. Solutions, treatment buffers such as acetate buffers, citrate buffers, and borate buffers are particularly preferred.

Further, the aqueous solution containing a boric acid and a processing agent mainly composed of borax is compared with sodium chloride which has been conventionally used for a preservation solution for soft contact lenses.
When adjusted to an aqueous solution having the same osmotic pressure, the electric conductivity is low. Therefore, when the same voltage is applied, the current value becomes larger when sodium chloride is used. For example, the electrical conductivity of saline is 14.5 mS / c
m, and the electrical conductivity of a commonly used storage solution for soft contact lenses is 10 to 15 mS / cm, whereas an aqueous solution containing a treating agent mainly containing boric acid and borax is used. , As will be described in detail later, it is 8 mS / cm or less.

Therefore, even if the treatment solution of the present invention for soft contact lenses containing sodium chloride as a main component is erroneously used as the treatment solution of the present invention,
For example, by providing a means for detecting a difference in current value in a soft contact lens processing device and stopping a current supply by a fuse or a breaker when an excessive current flows, erroneous use can be prevented beforehand. .
Such fuses and breakers have the advantage that they do not require complicated circuits and are inexpensive.

The aqueous solution containing the treating agent containing boric acid and borax as a main component is obtained by dissolving boric acid and borax in, for example, purified water or distilled water to form an aqueous solution.

In the present invention, the mixing ratio of the boric acid and the borax is usually adjusted so that boric acid / borax (weight ratio) is 7/1 to 50/1, especially 12/1 to 35/1. . When the mixing ratio of the boric acid and the borax is out of the range, the pH of the treatment solution obtained by adding citric acid and / or trisodium citrate as a sequestering agent described later is obtained.
Deviates from the pH range of 6 to 7.5, which is equivalent to tears.

The concentration of the treating agent in the aqueous solution containing the treating agent containing boric acid and borax as main components is usually from 1 to 2.
It is desirably adjusted to 2 w / v%, preferably 1 to 1.8 w / v%. When the concentration of the treating agent exceeds 2.2 w / v%, when the treated soft contact lens is worn on the eye, the osmotic pressure exceeds 330 mmol / kg, which may cause irritation to the eye. is there. The concentration of the treatment agent is
When the content is less than 1.5 w / v%, the osmotic pressure of the obtained processing solution is too small than 250 mmol / kg. Therefore, it is desirable to adjust the osmotic pressure by adding a blocking agent described below.
When the concentration of the treating agent is less than 1 w / v%, even when the amount of the blocking agent used is maximized, the osmotic pressure of the resulting treating solution should be 250 mmol / kg or more. Tend to be unable to do so. Incidentally, the osmotic pressure of the treatment liquid is 250 to 3
The reason why the osmotic pressure is set to 30 mmol / kg is that the osmotic pressure is substantially equal to the osmotic pressure of the tear, so as not to irritate the eyes.

The treating agent mainly containing boric acid and borax,
Blocking agents may be included to block metal ions contained in tears that adversely affect soft contact lenses. Representative examples of such blocking agents include, for example, citric acid and trisodium citrate. It is desirable that the amount of such a blocking agent is adjusted so as to be contained at 1 w / v% or less, preferably 0.2 to 0.6 w / v% in the treatment liquid. When the amount of the blocking agent is more than 1 w / v%, the obtained processing solution may have an electrical conductivity of more than 8 mS / cm, which is easier than the commonly used preservation solution for soft contact lenses. It tends to be difficult to identify mechanically with a simple device. Further, for example, thimerosal, parabens and the like can be appropriately added to the treatment agent for sterilization as needed.

The concentration of the electrolyte in the treatment liquid is 0.001 to 0.5 mol / l, preferably 0.05 to 0.2 mol / l, particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mol / l.
l / l is desirable. When the concentration is less than the above range, a large voltage tends to be applied in order to obtain a current value that generates a peroxide, and when the concentration exceeds the above range, the osmotic pressure of the processing solution is increased. And the size of the lens changes, or when the lens is taken out of the processing solution as it is after processing and worn, the eye tends to be clogged.

Further, since the charge of the protein in the processing solution changes depending on the pH of the processing solution, the protein may not move at all even if an electric current is applied depending on the pH of the processing solution. The pH at this time is referred to as the isoelectric point of the protein (hereinafter referred to as pI). The treatment solution used in the present invention is essentially the pI of the protein which is a major component of tears, for example, albumin (pI 4.7).
To 5.0), globulin (pI 5.2 to 5.4), lysozyme (pI
It is preferable for the expression of the effect to be different from each pI such as 10.5 to 11.4). That is, the processing solution is pH 1 to 4.6, pH 5.5
PH of 10.4 or pH of 11.5 to 14, more preferably pH 5.5 to 8 in consideration of the adverse effect on the material of the lens and the safety for the eyes when the lens is taken out after treatment and put on the eye as it is. , Especially preferably p
H6 to 7.5 is desirable.

Further, in the present invention, the treatment liquid contains one or more compounds selected from urea, thiocyanate and a reducing compound which do not generate hypohalite by electrolysis. Is also good.

All of these compounds are components for facilitating removal of proteins present in the lens, particularly denatured proteins that cannot be removed by ordinary electrophoresis, but urea and thiocyanate and reducing compounds ,
Its action and amount used are different as described below.

In general, urea and thiocyanate are components exhibiting an action of increasing the solubility in water such as low molecular weight non-electrolytes and proteins.In the present invention, such action and peroxide generated by electrophoresis and electrode reaction are considered. The protein attached to the lens surface or contained in the lens is efficiently removed by the synergistic action with the protein removing action of the compound. The concentration of the urea and / or thiocyanate in the treatment solution generally needs to be set to a relatively high concentration of about 0.5 to 4 mol / l in order to sufficiently wash it when no current is applied. In the present invention, since there is a synergistic effect with peroxides and the like as described above, 0.5 mol / l or less, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 mol / l, particularly preferably a low concentration of about 0.04 to 0.06 mol / l. Good. The concentration of 0.01 mol / l or more is necessary for urea and / or thiocyanate to exhibit a protein removing effect. Dirt due to proteins attached during wear can be removed by peroxide. When the concentration exceeds the above range, the effect of removing the protein is increased, but the osmotic pressure of the processing solution is relatively increased, and the lens may be seen when the lens is worn as it is after the processing.

As described above, in the present invention, when the urea and / or thiocyanate is used, the urea and / or thiocyanate can be used at a low concentration. It does not shrink.

Specific examples of the thiocyanate include, for example, ammonium thiocyanate, sodium thiocyanate, potassium thiocyanate, calcium thiocyanate, and the like, and these may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The reducing compound used in the present invention has a property capable of reducing the intermolecular or intramolecular SS bond of a protein attached to the lens surface or contained in the lens. When such a reducing compound is used, the concentration in the treatment solution is usually 0.1 mol / l or less, preferably 0.005 to 0.05 mol.
It is desirable to adjust to be / l. When the concentration exceeds the above range, the effect of removing the protein is increased, but the osmotic pressure of the electrolyte solution is relatively increased, and the size of the treated lens changes, or the lens is worn as it is after the treatment. When you have a tendency to see.

Specific examples of the reducing compound include alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts of thiosulfate such as sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate and calcium thiosulfate; D-glucose, L-glucose, lactose,
-Sugars such as fructose; cysteine; methionine;
Acids such as sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, citric acid and sodium citrate or alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts thereof; sulfites such as sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite and sodium hydrogen sulfite; ascorbic acid;
Glutathione and the like, and these reducing compounds are used alone or in combination of two or more. In addition,
In the present invention, as described above, urea, thiocyanate and the reducing compound are usually used alone or in combination of two or more. When urea and / or thiocyanate and a reducing compound are used in combination, the amounts of these may be within the above-mentioned ranges.

In addition, the soft contact lens treatment liquid of the present invention may be one in which the treatment agent is previously converted into an aqueous solution, or the treatment agent is, for example, in the form of powder, granules, pellets, etc. The solution may be dissolved in water by the user to form an aqueous solution.

In the present invention, cleaning and disinfection is performed by immersing the lens in the treatment liquid and passing an electric current. Preferably, the following electrodes are used.

As the material of the electrode used for the anode, for example, gold,
Examples include a synthetic resin, ceramic, and the like, which have been subjected to a plating or vapor deposition treatment of a noble metal such as platinum, gold or platinum. The material used for the cathode is not particularly limited as long as it is usually used as an electrode. For example, a carbon rod, a metal such as stainless steel, platinum, gold, copper, nickel, or a plating treatment of gold or platinum is used. Alternatively, a synthetic resin, ceramic, or the like on which a vapor deposition process has been performed can be given.
As for the anode, an electrode having at least a surface of gold, platinum, or the like is preferable in order to prevent the electrode from being dissolved by an electrolytic reaction occurring at the anode.

Further, when both electrodes are used without changing the anode and the cathode, the above-mentioned materials can be used respectively.However, when both electrodes are used alternately or randomly as the anode and the cathode. As a material for both electrodes, the ionization tendency is small, the electrodes are hardly dissolved when a current is applied, and the peroxide generated in the treatment solution when the current is applied is washed and sterilized after the treatment. From the point that it also acts as a catalyst that completely decomposes, platinum or a synthetic resin that has been subjected to plating or vapor deposition of platinum,
Ceramics and the like are preferred.

In the present invention, the concentration of peroxide that is effective in removing proteins present in the lens is appropriately adjusted by adjusting the current value of the current flowing in the processing solution and the time of the current supply according to the degree of contamination of the lens. Is done.

The current applied to the treatment liquid is preferably 0.1 to 5 A, and more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 A in order to remove stains such as proteins attached by ordinary wearing. When the current is less than 0.1 A, almost no peroxide is generated during the dissolution of the electrolyte even when a current is passed, and the protein removing effect tends to be small.When the current exceeds 5 A, the protein removing effect is obtained. Does not change much, but the electrolytic reaction at the electrode is severe and may damage the electrode.

In the above process, the current density when passing the current is 0.
02~0.88A / cm ^2, it is desirable that preferably is 0.04~0.09A / cm ^2. When the current density is less than the above range, the liquid temperature tends to be difficult to rapidly rise, and when it exceeds the above range, an excessive current unnecessary for the liquid temperature rise flows and the electrode May lead to damage.

Further, the energization time has to be set in consideration of the boiling disinfection of the lens because there is a difference in the temperature gradient that rises depending on the amount of the processing liquid. This energization time is 10 minutes for boiling disinfection.
When it is necessary to carry out the treatment at 0 ° C. for 10 minutes, for example, when the current flowing through the processing solution having a volume of 10 ml is as low as less than 0.3 A, it is 15 to 30 minutes.
It is preferable to set it to about 15 minutes.

In addition, the temperature of the processing solution is a heat sterilization of the lens.
It is desirable to keep the temperature at 80 to 100 ° C.

The temperature of the processing solution can be sufficiently increased only by applying a direct current within the above-described range of the desired current density. For example, the temperature of the electrolyte solution is promoted by using an auxiliary heating means such as a heater. May be.

Most of the dirt such as lipids adhering to the lens can be removed by boiling the lens in the processing solution. However, in order to remove the dirt more sufficiently, the lens is immersed in the processing bath or washed. After the disinfecting treatment, the lens may be washed with a washing liquid containing a surfactant, or the treatment liquid may contain a surfactant. Specific examples of such surfactants include, for example, anionic surfactants such as sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates and sulfosuccinates of higher alcohols and liquid fatty oils, and cationic surfactants such as alkylamine salts and alkylammonium salts. Nonionic surfactants such as ionic surfactants, alkyl ethers, alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxypropylene ethers, alkyl esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.

When the surfactant is used by being contained in the treatment liquid, if the concentration of the surfactant is too large, gas generated by the electrolytic reaction causes excessive bubbles in the treatment liquid, resulting in a container. , The concentration of the surfactant in the treatment solution is 0.1% by weight or less, preferably
It is desirable that the content be adjusted to 0.05% by weight or less.

When a denatured protein is present inside the lens, the denatured protein may be easily removed by an electric current by adding a protease to the treatment solution.

Specific examples of the protease include, for example, papain, chymopapain, pancreatin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, pepsin, fusin, carboxypeptidase, aminopeptidase, animal protease such as bromelin, animal protease, bacillus, Examples include proteolytic enzymes derived from microorganisms such as Streptomyces bacteria and Aspergillus fungi.

The concentration of the protease in the electrolyte solution is preferably adjusted so that the activity of the protease in the electrolyte solution is 300 to 1000 units / ml.

In practicing the method of the present invention, a gel or membrane is used to trap the protein removed from the lens by current, so that the lens is isolated between the electrode and the lens in the treatment solution. May be placed between them. In this case, the gel or the film plays a role of separating the electrode and the lens, and the inside of the gel or the film is energized by the impregnated processing solution. Examples of such a gel or membrane material include filter paper, silica gel, cellulose powder, porous sponge rubber, cellulose acetate, polyacrylamide gel, polyvinyl alcohol gel, and nitrocellulose membrane.

The lens cleaned and disinfected as described above can be worn as it is after being taken out of the electrolyte solution, or washed with a physiological saline or the like when the electrolyte solution exhibits irritation.

According to the cleaning and disinfecting method of the present invention, since the processing solution does not generate hypohalite even when passing an electric current, there is no danger of decolorization of the colored lens and no irritation to the eyes due to residual hypochlorite occurs. The cleaning power removes proteins attached to or contained in the lens, and at the same time, heat disinfection of the lens can be performed.

Further, as described above, the treatment solution for soft contact lenses containing the treatment agent containing boric acid and borax as the main components of the present invention is the electric conductivity (10 to 15 mS / cm) of the conventional treatment solution for soft contact lenses. Electrical conductivity smaller than (8mS
/ cm or less), it is possible to prevent erroneous use by detecting a difference in current value from a conventional soft contact lens storage solution. In addition, the soft contact lens treatment solution of the present invention has a pH and osmotic pressure of approximately 6 to 7.5 and an osmotic pressure of 250 to 330 mmol / kg, which are almost equal to the pH and osmotic pressure of tears.
Therefore, the safety for eyes is excellent.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples, but the present invention is not limited to only these examples.

Reference Example 1 An initial current of 0.2 A was applied by applying a voltage of 60 V to 9 ml of a citrate buffer (pH 6.8) having a concentration of trisodium citrate of 0.075 mol / l and a concentration of citric acid of 0.005 mol / l. The concentration of peroxide in the buffer solution with respect to the energization time when flowing was measured according to the method described below. The result is shown in FIG.

(Method of Measuring Peroxide Concentration) First, a reagent was prepared as follows.

(A) Phosphate buffer: monosodium phosphate (special grade reagent) 0.07 mol and disodium phosphate (special grade reagent) 0.1
Dissolve 3 mol in distilled water, adjust the pH to 7.0, and adjust the total amount to 1
And

(B) ABTS reagent: 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethyl benzo thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) 2NH ₄ salt (ABTS special grade)
0.113 g and 100 units of Peroxidase Type I (trade name, manufactured by Sigma Chemical Company) were dissolved in the phosphate buffer to make a total volume of 100 ml.

(C) Next, a hydrogen peroxide standard solution diluted to 30 ppm or less
2.0 ml and 2.0 ml of the ABTS TS were mixed and stirred, and then 42
The ultraviolet absorbance at 0 nm (hereinafter referred to as absorbance) was measured. The absorbance at each concentration was measured to prepare a calibration curve.

Next, a 2.0 ml sample was taken at each time from the citrate buffer solution to which an electric current was applied, and after mixing and stirring 2.0 ml of ABTS test solution, the absorbance at 420 nm was measured, and hydrogen peroxide conversion was obtained from the calibration curve. Was determined.

As shown in FIG. 1, the peroxide concentration in the buffer solution increased until immediately before boiling (about 2 minutes after the start of energization), and thereafter decreased, and became almost 0 ppm after 7 minutes from the start of energization.

In other words, even if the lens is taken out after treatment and put on the eye as it is, it is understood that the lens is safe for the eyes because there is no dangerous peroxide in the lens.

Reference Examples 2 to 5 As in Reference Example 1, instead of citrate buffer
0.2 mol / l phosphate buffer (Reference Example 2), 0.3 mol / l borate buffer (Reference Example 3), 0.1 mol / l sodium sulfate aqueous solution (Reference Example 4) or 0.08 mol / l hydrogen carbonate Using a sodium aqueous solution (Reference Example 5), a voltage of 60 to 90 V was applied to 9 ml of each, and a peroxide concentration in each electrolyte solution when an initial current of 0.2 A was passed was measured in the same manner as in Reference Example 1. .

Both electrolyte solutions boil 2 to 6 minutes after the start of energization,
Although peroxide was generated as in Reference Example 1, the peroxide concentration decreased after boiling.

Reference Examples 6 and 7 and Comparative Reference Example 1 Boric acid-EDTA described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,185
Buffer solution, boric acid 0.808 mol / l, EDTA 0.029 mol / l
And tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane 0.825m
ol / l buffer was prepared and osmotic pressure was measured.
It was 785 mmol / kg. The boric acid-EDTA buffer (Comparative Reference Example 1), the citrate buffer used in Reference Example 1 (osmotic pressure 260 mmol / kg) (Reference Example 6), and physiological saline (osmotic pressure)
290 mmol / kg) (Reference Example 7) immersed in a soft contact lens (lens size at 20 ° C .: 13.5 mm) having a water content of 72% and containing N-vinylpyrrolidone and N, N-dimethylacrylamide as main components respectively. 20 minutes after 20 minutes
When the lens size in was measured, it was 13.5 mm for both those immersed in physiological saline and citrate buffer. In contrast, the lens immersed in the boric acid-EDTA buffer had a lens size of 12.5 mm.
It was found that the buffer had a large effect on the lens.

Reference Example 8 and Comparative Reference Example 2 Proteins (especially lysozyme) were obtained by electrophoresis (disk method) using polyacrylamide gel as a support.
Was tested for electrical properties according to the following procedure.

(A) The following acrylamide gel stock solution was prepared.

(Solution A) (Ingredients) (Blending amount) 1N KOH 8ml Glycine 19g N, N, N ', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine 0.077ml Distilled water Amount that total amount becomes 100ml (pH7.3) (Solution B) (Component (Blending amount) Acrylamide 60g N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide 0.4g Distilled water Total amount of 100ml (Solution C) (Component) (Blending amount) Ammonium persulfate 0.14g Distilled water Total amount of 100ml (b) ) Preparation of 30% gel (corresponding to a lens with a water content of 70%) Acrylamide was polymerized in a glass tube to form a gel column.

First, a glass tube (inner diameter 5 mm, length 60 mm) was set upright on a desk using a rubber stopper.

Next, the above solution A, solution B and solution C were mixed with solution A: solution B: solution C = 1:
The mixture was mixed at a ratio of 2: 1 (weight ratio), and the mixture was poured into the glass tube with a pipette so as not to cause bubbles. The liquid was introduced up to about 10 mm from the upper end of the glass tube. On top of that, distilled water was gently added to about 5 mm from the top of the glass tube with a fine-tipped pipette. Such distilled water was added to shield acrylamide from the air and to facilitate gelation.
In this state, it was left at room temperature (22 ° C.) for about 1 hour to gel acrylamide in the glass tube.

(C) Electrophoresis Electrophoresis will be described with reference to FIG.

In a treatment tank (1) equipped with a platinum cathode (3) (electrode plate area: 0.79 cm ² ) connected to a DC power supply device by a lead wire (5), 0.3 as an electrolyte solution (6) used in Reference Example 3 was used. Filled with 150 ml of mol / l borate buffer. Similarly, in a treatment tank (2) equipped with a platinum anode (4) (electrode plate area: 0.79 cm ² ) connected to a DC power supply device by a lead wire (5), an electrolyte solution (6) was used as a treatment tank ( 1)
Was filled with the same buffer 150 ml.

0.03 ml of a sample (7) prepared by dissolving 0.3 g of lysozyme in 5 ml of a 20% aqueous sucrose solution was poured onto the gel (8) in a glass tube to prepare a gel column (9). The treatment tanks (1) and (2) are connected by using the two gel columns (9) so that the treatment tank (2) is above the treatment tank (1), and the electrolyte solution (6) in both treatment tanks is connected. ) Was maintained at 20 to 22 ° C., and a current of 3 mA was passed per gel column (9) for 1 hour.

Next, the gel column (9) was removed from the treatment tanks (1) and (2), and the gel (8) was pulled out from the glass tube using a needle. A 1% by weight amide black 10B (reagent primary) 7% acetic acid aqueous solution was used. For 1 hour and stained together with the gel (8) (Reference Example 8).

Separately, as a sample (7), the sucrose solution
The lysozyme was heat-denatured by boiling for 1 minute, and the same operation was performed as described above except that 0.03 ml of the insolubilized cloudy liquid was used. A current was applied in the same manner, and the gel (8) was stained in the same manner as described above (comparative). Reference Example 2).

Since the stained gel was uniformly dark blue, the excess amide black 10B was washed with a 7% acetic acid aqueous solution and sufficiently decolored, and only the lysozyme portion was identified.

As a result, in Reference Example 8, it was found that lysozyme moved in the gel due to energization because the portion about 37 mm from the top of the gel was not decolorized, but in Comparative Reference Example 2, all parts of the gel were decolorized. Therefore, it was found that the lysozyme did not move due to the energization. That is, it was found that the denatured protein could not be removed by electrophoresis at all.

Example 1 Each component was blended so as to have the composition shown below, and about 1 artificial tear (pH 7.0) was obtained.

Two soft contact lenses containing N-vinylpyrrolidone as a main component and having a water content of about 70%
The protein was adsorbed on the lens by immersion at 7 ° C. for 16 hours.

(Composition of artificial tears) Albumin 3.88 g γ-globulin 1.61 g Lysozyme 1.2 g NaCl 9.0 g CaCl ₂ .2H ₂ O 0.15 g NaH ₂ PO ₄ .2H ₂ O 1.04 g distilled water 1.0 l Was washed with fingers using a soft contact lens cleaning agent Meniclean (manufactured by Menicon Co., Ltd.), and the concentration of trisodium citrate was 0.075 mol / l and the concentration of citric acid was 0.005 mol. The substrate was immersed in 9 ml of a citrate buffer solution (pH 6.8) / l, and an initial current of 0.2 A (current density: 0.04 A / cm ² ) was applied by applying a voltage of 60 V.
The temperature of the solution reached 100 ° C. 3 minutes after the start of energization. During this time, the current value rises to 0.45 A (current density: 0.08 A / cm ² ), and after the liquid temperature reaches 80 ° C., 0.15 A (current density: 0.03 A / cm ² )
cm ² ).

After applying a current for 13 minutes, it was allowed to cool to room temperature (22 ° C.). Then the operation (artificial tears to cool the operation of immersing the lens in a 1.5ml) was regarded as one cycle (hereinafter, referred to as cycle test A _1), then subjected 100 cycles lens such operation, the naked eye lens , then it was found that had the exact same transparency and lens not subjected to cycle test a _1.

Furthermore, cross-sectional X-ray microanalyzer of the lens and the cycle test A ₁ performing 100 cycles (Nippon Denshi Co.
And JSM 35), and the presence of sulfur was examined. The presence of sulfur was not recognized in the treated lens.

Comparative Example 1 In the same manner as in Example 1, one soft contact lens was immersed in the artificial tear solution, washed with fingers using Meniclean, and then stored with a soft contact lens preservative solution Menisook (manufactured by Menicon Corporation, a commercial product). Name) Menicon riser E as boiling sterilizer for soft contact lenses in 1.5ml
(Hereinafter referred to as riser E), the lens was sterilized.

Hereinafter, similarly to the cycle test, except that was subjected to treatment with riser E in place of the energization Example 1 (hereinafter, referred to as cycle test B ₁₎ was was carried out 100 cycles, the lens subjected to sterilization treatment by riser E is it is now seen with the naked eye that was cloudy since I was performed cycle test B ₁ as 40 cycles.

Next, the cross section of the lens was analyzed by an X-ray microanalyzer in the same manner as in Example 1 to examine the presence of sulfur. As a result, a peak indicating the presence of sulfur was detected in the lens treated with the riser E.

Since sulfur is not originally contained in the lens substrate, the detected sulfur is derived from the molecular structure of the protein, and it is therefore presumed that the cloudiness of the lens is due to the thermally denatured protein.

On the other hand, the lens subjected cycle test A ₁ in Example 1 since the sulfur is not detected, that performed by continuously boil the cleaning of the lens by passing a current as in Example 1 Understand.

Furthermore, in the cycle test B ₁ with riser E, it was performed cycle test using the same citrate buffer as that used in Example 1 in place of Menisoku a (pH 6.8). This lens became visually opaque after about 40 cycles of the cycle test.

That is, it is understood that the lens can be cleaned only when the current is applied.

Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 A returned white turbid lens was divided into three parts, and two of each were observed in a dark field under a microscope. One was immersed in 9 ml of the citrate buffer used in Example 1, and 60 V was applied. A voltage was applied for 4 minutes, and an initial current of 0.2 A (current density: 0.04 A / cm ² ) was passed (Example 2). The temperature of this solution was 100 minutes after the start of energization.
° C was reached. During this time, the current value is 0.45A (current density: 0.08A /
cm ² ). After the liquid temperature reached 80 ° C., the temperature dropped to 0.15 A (current density: 0.03 A / cm ² ).

The other is 9 ml of the same citrate buffer as above.
And boiled for 10 minutes (Comparative Example 2).

After each treatment, the two pieces of the lens were dried and observed in a dark field under a microscope. As a result, the one subjected to the treatment for passing an electric current (Example 2) had almost all stains removed. The boiled product (Comparative Example 2) had no dirt removed at all.

From the above, it can be seen that the peroxide generated by the electric current is effective in removing the protein which has been denatured and insolubilized.

Comparative Example 3 After observing the remaining piece of the returned cloudy lens divided into three in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 in a dark field under a microscope,
It was immersed in a protein remover Hydrocare-F (trade name, manufactured by Allagan Co., Ltd.) for 4 minutes.

Then, the lens piece was dried and observed in a dark field under a microscope. As a result, almost no dirt was removed from the lens piece.

That is, Example 2 in which processing was performed for the same time (4 minutes)
As is clear from the comparison, the processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention can remove dirt on the lens in a very short time.

Example 3 Four soft contact lenses containing N-vinylpyrrolidone as a main component and having a water content of about 70% were used as artificial tears having the following composition.
It was immersed in 5 ml at 37 ° C for 1 hour.

(Composition of artificial tears) Albumin 11.64 g γ-globulin 4.83 g Lysozyme 3.6 g NaCl 9.0 g CaCl ₂・ 2H ₂ O 0.15 g NaH ₂ PO ₄・ 2H ₂ O 1.04 g Distilled water 1.0 l (pH 7.0) After washing two fingers of the lenses with Meniclean, 0.05 mol / l having a urea concentration of 0.2 mol / l was used.
I. Dipped in 12 ml of phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), a voltage of 100 V was applied for 8 minutes, and an initial current of 0.8 A (current density: 0.11 A / cm ² ) was passed. This solution has a liquid temperature of 100 ° C two minutes after the start of energization.
Reached. During this time, the current value is 1.0A (current density: 0.13A / c
m ² ), and after the liquid temperature reached 80 ° C., it decreased to 0.2 A (current density: 0.03 A / cm ² ). The solution was allowed to cool to room temperature.

Next, the operation of one cycle (hereinafter cycle of tests A ₂₎ and, after subjected 100 cycles according operation to the lens, observation of the lens with the naked eye, identical to the lens not subjected to cycle test A ₂ It had transparency.

Further, after the cycle test A ₂ performs 100 cycles, the existence of sulfur and phosphorus in the cross section of the lens X
When examined by a line microanalyzer, neither sulfur nor phosphorus was detected.

That is, since the two lenses were transparent even after cycle test A ₂ 100 cycles, it was understood that both sterilization treatment by boiling and protein removal were performed at the time of energization.

Comparative Example 4 The remaining two lenses of the four lenses subjected to the artificial tear treatment in Example 3 were washed with fingers using Meniclean, and then using riser E in 1.5 ml of Menisoku. The lenses were boiled.

Hereinafter, similarly to the cycle test as in Example 3 (provided that performs boiling process by riser E in place of current (hereinafter, referred to cycle test B ₂₎₎ to have been carried out 100 cycles, were subjected to a boiling treatment by riser E two lenses, it is now seen with the naked eye that was cloudy because it was subjected to the cycle test B ₂ about 20 cycles. Further cycle test B ₂ and after 100 cycles of Example 3
When the presence of sulfur and phosphorus was examined using an X-ray micro-alizer in the same manner as in the above, a peak indicating the presence of sulfur was detected.

That is, it is presumed that the cloudiness of the lens is caused by protein, and it is understood that protein is accumulated in the lens unless electric boiling is performed.

 No peak indicating the presence of phosphorus was detected.

Examples 4 to 12 In place of the 0.05 mol / l phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) containing 0.2 mol / l urea as the electrolyte solution used in Example 3, the concentrations shown in Table 1 were used. It was performed cycle test a ₂ 100 times in the same manner as in example 3 in the same lens as that used in example 3 using the electrolyte solution containing the component.
Next, we compared the clarity with what the with such lens cycle test A ₂ is not subjected visually. Table 1 shows the results.

As apparent from the results shown in Table 1, it can be seen that both the sterilization and protein removal by even boiling any lens of Example 4-12 which has been subjected to the cycle test A ₂ 100 times was performed. The presence of sulfur and phosphorus in the cross section of the lens was examined using an X-ray microanalyzer in the same manner as in Example 3, but no sulfur or phosphorus was detected in any of the lenses of Examples 4 to 12.

Example 13 Two lenses similar to the lenses used in Example 3 were immersed in 1.5 ml of the same artificial tear solution as in Example 3 at 37 ° C. for 1 hour, washed with a finger using Meniclean, and then washed with 0.2 mol. 0.05mole / l phosphate buffer (pH6.8) 1.5m
A sterilization treatment was performed in riser E in l. Next, the two lenses were allowed to cool to room temperature.

The operation was one cycle, and this operation was performed on the two lenses for 50 cycles. Observation of the lenses with the naked eye revealed that both lenses became cloudy from the time the above operation was performed for about 10 cycles.

This indicates that the protein cannot be removed from the lens by the sterilization treatment using the riser E as described above.

Further, one of the clouded lenses after the 50 cycles was performed was set to 0.0% containing 0.05 mol / l of sodium sulfite.
It was placed in 12 ml of a 5 mol / l phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), a voltage of 60 V was applied for 10 minutes, and an initial current of 0.8 A (current density: 0.11 A / cm ² ) was passed. This solution has a temperature of 100 ° C 2 minutes after the start of energization.
Reached. During this time, the current value of this solution increased to 1.0 A (current density: 0.13 A / cm ² ), and after the solution temperature reached 80 ° C.,
It decreased to 0.3 A (current density: 0.04 A / cm ² ). Thereafter, the lens was taken out, and the lens was visually inspected. As a result, the lens was returned to a transparent lens.

From this, it can be seen that even for a lens to which protein is fixed by thermal denaturation, it is possible to remove the protein from the lens by the method of the present invention in which the lens is immersed in an electrolyte solution and an electric current is applied.

Example 14 and Comparative Example 5 N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N, N- dimethylacrylamide in Example 3 to two of the four water content of 80% soft contact lenses mainly composed of cycle test A ₂ in the same manner After 100 cycles (Example 14), the other two sheets were subjected to the same processing as Comparative Example 4 (Comparative Example 5), and it was examined whether the lens became cloudy.

The two lenses of Example 14 which had been subjected to the energization treatment were transparent even after the completion of 100 cycles, but the two lenses of Comparative Example 5 which had been subjected to the boiling treatment using the riser E had a cloudiness of about 30 cycles. Was observed.

Example 15 and Comparative Example 6 N-vinylpyrrolidone and N, N- Example 3 to two of the four water content of 72% of the soft contact lenses of dimethylacrylamide as the main component cycle test A ₂ in the same manner (Comparative Example 6), and the other two sheets were treated in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 (Comparative Example 6), and it was examined whether the lens became cloudy.

The two lenses of Example 15 which had been subjected to the energization treatment were transparent even after the completion of 100 cycles, whereas the two lenses of Comparative Example 6 which had been subjected to the boiling treatment using the riser E had a cloudiness of about 42 cycles. Was observed.

Example 16 Boschrom Optima 38 (Bosch & Rom
Incorporated (BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATE
D), two types of soft color contact lenses, HYDRON soft color contact lens (manufactured by Hydron Japan, trade name: 114 Rhodos), are cut into two parts by cutting each with a razor blade.
One half of each lens was stored in saline. The other half was immersed in 9 ml of the citrate buffer solution (pH 6.8) used in Example 1 and subjected to a voltage of 60 V for 13 minutes to give a voltage of 0.2%.
An initial current of A (current density: 0.04 A / cm ² ) was passed. The temperature of the solution reached 100 ° C. 3 minutes after the start of energization. During this time, the current value rises to 0.45 A (current density: 0.08 A / cm ² )
0.15A (current density: 0.03A / c) after the liquid temperature reaches 80 ℃
m ² ). This process was repeated. However,
The buffer was replaced with a new buffer every 13 minutes.

Each of the halves subjected to the energizing treatment 365 times was taken out, and the degree of fading was examined by comparing the same type with each of the halves stored in a physiological saline solution. The halves were not faded at all. From this, it was found that the cleaning / disinfecting method of the present invention is sufficiently applicable to soft color contact lenses.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7 Two soft color contact lenses, which are the same as those used in Example 16, such as the Bausch & Lomb Optim 38 and the HYDRON soft color contact lens, were divided into two in the same manner as in Example 16, and one half of each lens was used. One by one was stored in saline.

On the other hand, with respect to 100 ml of distilled water, an aqueous solution at about 20 ° C. in which the concentration of trisodium citrate is 0.019 mol / l, the concentration of citric acid is 0.0003 mol / l, and the concentration of sodium chloride is 0.154 mol / l
Each remaining half was immersed in 3.0 ml, and a current of 0.006 A was applied for 25 seconds using the same apparatus as in Example 1 to produce sodium hypochlorite having a concentration of about 5 ppm in the aqueous solution. And disinfected. After being left as it was at room temperature for 60 minutes, each half was taken out, the aqueous solution was replaced with a new one, and each half was immersed again, and electricity was supplied to generate sodium hypochlorite. Each half was immersed in the aqueous solution to generate sodium hypochlorite,
After leaving for half an hour, each half was taken out and the system for replacing the aqueous solution was defined as one cycle, and this cycle was repeated 50 times.

As a result of comparing the color of each half disinfected as described above and the color of each half stored in physiological saline with each other to determine the degree of fading and decolorization of the lens, Bausch & Lomb The soft-color contact lenses of this series were completely decolorized in only two cycles, and the HYDRON soft-color contact lenses began to show fading after about 20 cycles.

From this result, it was found that the soft color contact lens was discolored or decolored when the sterilizing system in which hypohalite was applied to the soft color contact lens was applied.

Example 17 Treatment of soft contact lenses by dissolving 1.8 g of a granulation of a treatment agent comprising 72.2% by weight of boric acid, 3.3% by weight of borax and 24.5% by weight of trisodium citrate dodecahydrate in 100 ml of purified water A liquid was prepared.

This treatment liquid had a pH of 6.9 and an osmotic pressure of 255 mmol / kg.

Next, a soft contact lens “MENICON MA” (manufactured by Menicon, trade name) was put into this treatment liquid (liquid temperature: 20 ° C.), left for 16 hours, and the lens size was measured to be 13.5 mm. .

Next, an initial current of 0.15 A was applied by applying a voltage of 90 V while the soft contact lens was immersed in 9 ml of the treatment liquid.

After applying the voltage for 13 minutes, the soft contact was taken out, and the blue color that had been colored on the soft contact lens did not disappear, and the same blue color as the soft contact lens without any treatment was given. Has no effect.

Next, the same operation as described above was repeated 365 times on the soft contact lens which had been immersed in the treatment liquid and treated, with the treatment liquid being replaced every 13 minutes.

After that, I checked the coloring of the lens, but it was the same blue color as the soft contact lens without any treatment,
No discoloration was observed. The lens size was 13.5 mm in the processing solution (solution temperature: 20 ° C.), and no change was observed.

Further, when the electric conductivity of the treatment liquid was measured, 3.
It was 6 mS / cm.

Comparative Example 8 Instead of the treating solution used in Example 17, a soft contact lens preservative solution Menisoku (trade name, manufactured by Menicon Co., Ltd.)
Was used. The pH of this stock solution is 7.0 and the osmotic pressure is 290 mmol / kg
Met.

The same soft contact lens used in Example 17 was placed in this storage solution (liquid temperature: 20 ° C.), and the lens size was measured in the same manner as in Example 17. As a result, it was 13.5 mm.

Next, an initial current of 0.15 A was applied by applying a voltage of 40 V with the soft contact lens immersed in 9 ml of the storage solution.

After applying a voltage for 13 minutes, the soft contact lens was taken out, and the blue color of the soft contact lens had disappeared, and the soft contact lens was completely transparent.

When the electric conductivity of the storage solution was measured,
It was 4.4 mS / cm.

Example 18 and Comparative Example 9 Four soft contact lenses having a water content of 72% and containing N-vinylpyrrolidone and N, N-dimethylacrylamide as main components were each treated with a 0.01 mol / l aqueous solution of calcium chloride (containing 400 ppm of calcium ions). ) Dipped in 1.5 ml and boiled for 5 minutes.

After cooling to room temperature over about 15 minutes, the surface of each lens was rinsed with distilled water, and two of them were placed in 7 ml of 0.03 mol / l phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and boiled for 10 minutes (comparison) Example 9). The remaining two sheets were supplied with an initial current of 0.15 A by applying a voltage of 90 V for 13 minutes in 7 ml of the same buffer (Example 18).

After cooling, each was again immersed in the same aqueous solution of calcium chloride as described above, boiled for 5 minutes, two of them were boiled in the buffer, and the other two were repeatedly cycled in the buffer.

In the lens on which the cycle of Comparative Example 9 was performed, clouding due to calcium phosphate was recognized at the fifth cycle.
The lens that had been subjected to 5 of the 18 cycles remained transparent.

From the above, it is known that, in normal wearing, metal ions, particularly calcium ions, form water-insoluble salts with carbonate ions, phosphate ions, and other components, and make the lens cloudy. It can be seen that even if a large amount of calcium ions are contained in the lens, the ions can be removed.

Experimental Example 1 The cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 3 was used. In FIG.
(11) Power supply (AC 100V), (12) AC 100V and AC 90
Transformer for converting to V, (13) is a bridge rectifier (standard: 400V, 3A), (14) and (15) are aluminum electrolytic capacitors (standard: 200V, 470μF),
(16) is a fuse (standard: 100 V, 0.3 A), (17) switch, (18) is an electrolytic cell, (19) and (20) are platinum electrodes (electrode area: 0.21 cm ² ), (21) This is the same soft contact lens used in Example 17. The distance between the platinum electrodes was set to 3 cm.

Using the cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 3, 9 ml of the treatment solution (22) obtained in Example 17 or the preservation solution (22) used in Comparative Example 8 was applied to the electrolytic cell (18) at a voltage of 90 V. As a result, when the processing solution obtained in Example 17 was used, current continued to flow, but when the preserving solution used in Comparative Example 8 was used, the fuse was blown at the moment when the voltage was applied. , No current flowed.

Other preservatives include TORAY storage tablets (Toray Industries, Inc.)
) As a preservative solution according to the instruction manual, Tap Soak (manufactured by Santen Allagan Co., Ltd.) as a preservative solution according to the instruction manual, Pure Soak S (HOYA CORPORATION)
), Saline Solution (BAUSCH & LOMB), Maitia (Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Rinse (Seiko Contact Lens Co., Ltd.), SOFLINS (Co., Ltd.)
Seed), lens rinse (Ciba Vision Care Co., Ltd.)
The same operation as described above was performed for each of 9 ml of each of the above-mentioned items, but the fuse was blown at the moment when the voltage was applied, and no current flowed.

From the above, it can be seen that the treatment liquid of the present invention can be distinguished from a generally used storage solution for soft contact lenses by a simple device such as a fuse mechanically.

For reference, the pH, osmotic pressure and electric conductivity of the above-mentioned conventional storage solution were measured, and the measurement results are shown in Table 2.

Experimental Example 2 Next, the pH of the treatment solutions prepared with various composition ratios
And the osmotic pressure and electrical conductivity were examined. Table 3 shows the results.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The method for cleaning and disinfecting a lens according to the present invention does not adversely affect the material, specifications and shape of the lens, does not require complicated operations, and has a superior cleaning power in a short time. And metal ions can be removed, and the lens can be sterilized almost simultaneously with such removal. Also, when applied to color contact lenses or marked lenses, the method of the present invention does not bleach or fade such lenses. Furthermore, the method of the present invention is extremely safe for the eyes when the lenses are worn on the eyes, since no harmful components remain in the lenses after the processing of the lenses.

The treatment solution for soft contact lenses of the present invention has no adverse effects on the eyes and is of course safe without any adverse effects on soft contact lenses when subjected to electrical treatment. There is no. In addition, since the electrical conductivity of the treatment solution for soft contact lens of the present invention is smaller than the electrical conductivity of the preservation solution for soft contact lens which is generally used, it can be easily distinguished from these preservation solutions for soft contact lens. Can be.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-63-193129 (JP, A) JP-A-62-262787 (JP, A) JP-A-63-36892 (JP, A) JP-A-63-36892 197598 (JP, A) JP-A-1-123694 (JP, A) JP-A-63-35023 (JP, U) JP-A-60-7060 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61L 2/18 A61L 2/02 G02C 13/00

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cleaning and disinfecting method for a soft contact lens, wherein a soft contact lens is immersed in a processing solution that does not generate hypohalite by electrolysis, and a direct current is passed to further raise the temperature of the processing solution. Method. 2. The method for cleaning and disinfecting a soft contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the current supplied is 0.1 to 5 A. 3. The method for cleaning and disinfecting a soft contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the treatment solution is 5.5 to 8. 4. The method for cleaning and disinfecting a soft contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte concentration of the treatment liquid is 0.001 to 0.5 mol / l. 5. The method for cleaning and disinfecting a soft contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the treatment solution contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of urea, thiocyanate and a reducing compound. 6. The treatment liquid contains a treatment agent mainly composed of boric acid and borax at a concentration of 2.2 w / v% or less, and has an electric conductivity of 8 mS / cm or less. Treatment solution for soft contact lenses. 7. The treatment solution for soft contact lenses according to claim 6, wherein the treatment agent contains citric acid and / or trisodium citrate.