JPH05161694A - Treatment of contact lens - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration and color fading of a contact lens and to advantageously maintain the lens sterile so as to enhance its safety by sterilizing and washing the contact lens by using free chlorine, then easily and rapidly removing the free chlorine. CONSTITUTION:The contact lens to be treated is immersed into a treating soln. contg. the free chlorine of the amt. effective for sterilizing the contact lens and/or removing the stains of org. matter, such as protein, sticking to such lens and thereafter, a high polymer having at least one kind of N-contg. groups selected from a group consisting of an amino group, imino group, -CONH2 group and -CONH- group for separating and removing the free chlorine as bond chlorine is brought into contact with the treating soln.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for treating a contact lens, and in particular, a sterilizing effect is obtained by the excellent sterilizing power of free chlorine, and free chlorine is easily and quickly removed after sterilizing treatment. The present invention relates to a lens processing method.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART As a simple and effective sterilization method for contact lenses, conventionally, heat sterilization (boiling disinfection) or 3
Various methods such as a sterilization method using% hydrogen peroxide, a sterilization method using free chlorine such as hypochlorous acid, and a sterilization method using a chemical substance such as chlorohexidine are known.

Of these sterilization methods, heat sterilization (boiling sterilization) is very effective against microorganisms adhering to contact lenses and microorganisms present in a contact lens preservative solution, but contact lenses. It is inconvenient for the user to carry such a boiling apparatus for heat sterilization, and there is a problem that it cannot be used in a place without a power source. Furthermore, since the stains such as proteins adhering to the contact lens cannot be removed only by heat sterilization, it is necessary to remove the stains such as proteins adhering to the contact lenses in advance before the heat sterilization.

The sterilization method using 3% hydrogen peroxide is as follows:
It takes a long time to sterilize, and there are drawbacks such that the bactericidal effect is weak against certain microorganisms (such as Amoeba), and the sterilized contact lens cannot be worn as it is on the eyes. There is a problem that hydrogen peroxide must be decomposed and detoxified with an appropriate reducing agent. Furthermore, in the sterilization method using a chemical substance such as chlorohexidine,
There is a risk that the chemical substance will be adsorbed on the contact lens, or an allergic reaction will be caused by the residual chemical substance, and as with the use of 3% hydrogen peroxide, a complete bactericidal effect cannot be expected. is there. In any of these sterilization methods, it has been impossible to expect to remove stains of organic substances such as proteins attached to contact lenses.

On the other hand, according to the sterilization method using free chlorine, Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococc
us aureus), Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
domonas aeruginosa), Candida (Candida albicans)
Well-known ocular pathogens such as, etc. can be completely sterilized within 30 minutes, and if the concentration is raised a little (for example, 20 to 30 ppm), organic substances such as proteins attached to contact lenses can be removed. It is also possible to do so.

Since the sterilized contact lens cannot be worn on the eye as it is, conventionally, a method of inactivating the free chlorine remaining after the sterilization by using an appropriate reducing agent has been proposed. Has been adopted. As such a reducing agent, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, alkali thiosulfate metal salt such as calcium thiosulfate, or alkaline earth metal salt, or ascorbic acid, d-glucose, lactose, etc. should be used. Becomes Further, peroxides such as sodium peroxide, barium peroxide and peracetic acid are also used.

However, performing the reducing operation after the sterilization treatment with free chlorine makes it difficult to maintain the sterility of the contact lens, and the contact lens has a high concentration of free chlorine for a relatively long time until the reducing operation is started. Therefore, there is an inherent problem that the deterioration of the material of the lens and the fading of the lens are caused. In addition, conventionally, the reduction operation itself is troublesome, and if the reduction operation is not performed correctly, there is a problem that the eye tissue is damaged when the contact lens is worn.

[0008]

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to sterilize contact lenses and remove stains such as proteins using free chlorine. After that, it is to remove free chlorine simply and promptly, thereby preventing deterioration and discoloration of the contact lens, and keeping the contact lens advantageously sterile, so that it can be safely worn on the eye. It is in.

[0009]

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an amount of free chlorine effective for sterilizing a contact lens and / or removing stains of organic substances such as proteins adhering to the lens. After immersing the contact lens to be treated in a treatment solution containing, or simultaneously with such immersion, free chlorine is separated and removed as bound chlorine from the treatment solution, amino group, imino group, -CONH ₂
A method of treating a contact lens, which is characterized in that a polymer having at least one N-containing group selected from the group consisting of a group and a —CONH— group is brought into contact with the polymer.

Further, in the present invention, it is advantageous that the treatment solution is physiologically isotonic and has a pH of 6.0 to 6.0.
After adjusting to 7.5, a contact lens is dipped in the treatment solution, and after or at the same time as the dipping, free chlorine is separated and removed from the treatment solution as bound chlorine, an amino group or an imino group. , -CONH ₂ group and -C
At least one N selected from the group consisting of ONH-groups
A method is employed in which a polymer having a containing group is brought into contact with the treatment solution to hold the contact lens until the amount of free chlorine present in the treatment solution becomes 0.5 ppm or less.

[0011]

In summary, in the present invention, the contact lens is treated with free chlorine and the treatment solution is treated with an amino group, an imino group, a -CONH ₂ group and a -CON.
By contacting a polymer having at least one N-containing group selected from the group consisting of H-groups, free chlorine reacts with the N-containing group of the polymer, and is separated and removed from the treatment solution as bound chlorine. It was done.

Namely, in general, free chlorine dissolved in water, molecular chlorine Cl _2, hypochlorous acid HOCl, hypochlorite ion OCl ^- take three forms of, but in near neutral pH, Almost HOCl hypochlorite. And
As is well known, when nitrous hydride compounds such as ammonia, amines, and amino acids are present in water, these nitrous hydride compounds and HOCl hypochlorite are expressed by the following formula (1) or (2). In the reaction, chloramines such as monochloramine (RNHCl) and dichloramine (RNCl ₂ ) are produced.
Free chlorine is converted to bound chlorine of chloramines. RNHCl ₂ + HOCl → RNHCl + H ₂ O (1) RNHCl + HOCl → RNCl ₂ + H ₂ O (2)

The reaction is completed rapidly, and chloramines are stable unless excess HOCl is present with respect to the nitrogen hydride compound, and do not change for a long time unless other factors are added. Incidentally, the combined chlorine of these chloramines is extremely weaker in bactericidal power than free chlorine, and is said to require several tens of times the concentration ratio to obtain the same sterilization rate,
A study by the US Public Health Service comparing the bactericidal powers of the two shows that in order to obtain the same bactericidal power, "when the action time is made equal, the combined chlorine requires 25 times the concentration of free chlorine,
In the case of the same concentration, the action time is 100 times that of free chlorine. ] Is reported.

As described above, in the method of the present invention, first, the contact lens is subjected to sterilization treatment or sterilization of the contact lens in an extremely short time by causing free chlorine having strong sterilizing power such as hypochlorous acid to act on the contact lens. The cleaning process is completed. Then, by gradually reacting the N-containing group with the free chlorine using the polymer having the N-containing group, the free chlorine can be rapidly separated and removed as bound chlorine (chloramines) having weak bactericidal power. The free chlorine remaining after the desired treatment can be effectively suppressed from exerting an undesired effect on the contact lens, such as deterioration of the material of the lens or fading of the color.

[0015]

SPECIFIC STRUCTURE By the way, in the present invention, an amino group, an imino group, a —CONH ₂ group and a —CON, which are used to separate and remove free chlorine as bound chlorine.
Specific examples of the polymer having at least one N-containing group selected from the group consisting of H-groups (hereinafter referred to as the polymer having an N-containing group) include polyacrylamides, polyallylamines, polypeptides, Polystyrylamine etc. can be mentioned. In addition, in order to adjust the removal speed of free chlorine, etc., a N-containing group monomer such as acrylamide or allylamine is combined with another monomer,
It is also possible to use a copolymerized product, and examples of the monomer to be combined include, for example, alkyl (meth) acrylates such as methyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, propyl (meth) acrylate, styrene, and alkyl. Examples thereof include hydrophobic monomers such as styrene, and hydrophilic monomers such as hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidone. Among these various polymers, polyacrylamides and polyallylamines are preferably used because they are easily available.

If the N-containing group-containing polymer is water-soluble, it can be used in the state of an aqueous solution dissolved in water or as a powder dissolved in water. Further, a cross-linked polymer, a polymer obtained by combining hydrophobic monomers in combination, or the like can be used as the water-insoluble gel. It should be noted that the water-insoluble gel can be easily separated from the contact lens, so there is no problem. It is preferable to use those in the range of 10,000 to several million. If the molecular weight is less than 10,000, the polymer containing bound chlorine may enter the inside of the contact lens, and it becomes difficult to separate the polymer even by rinsing the contact lens. This is because the polymer gradually exudes while being worn on the eye, which may cause irritation or adverse effects on the eye tissue. Further, in the case of a polymer having a molecular weight of more than several millions, especially when it is used as an aqueous solution, the viscosity becomes too high and the practicality becomes poor.

On the other hand, in the method for treating a contact lens of the present invention, the treatment solution in which the contact lens is dipped should contain free chlorine in an effective amount according to the required treatment operation of sterilization or sterilization cleaning. However, a concentration within the range of 2 to 50 ppm is usually suitable. This is because if the concentration of free chlorine is higher than 50 ppm, the contact lens may be damaged, and if it is lower than 2 ppm, a sufficient bactericidal effect may not be exhibited. Among them, when only sterilizing the contact lens, 2 to 10 pp
m is preferable, and about 10 to 25 ppm is preferable when performing sterilization treatment and washing treatment of organic stains such as proteins.

If necessary, a buffering agent, a tonicity agent, etc. may be appropriately added to the treatment solution. Among them, the buffering agent is a component used for stabilizing the pH of the treatment solution, preferably 6.0.
The pH is stabilized at about 7.5. Specific examples of the buffer include phosphate, borate, carbonate and the like, and these salts are used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. Usually, the concentration is adjusted to 0.2 mol / l or less, preferably 0.005 to 0.05 mol / l. If the concentration of the buffer exceeds 0.2 mol / l, the concentration of the isotonic agent and the like will be too high, and the osmotic pressure of the treatment solution will be too high, causing eye irritation when wearing contact lenses. Because it is not preferable.

Further, the isotonicity agent is used to adjust the osmotic pressure of the treatment solution to the most preferable value for contact lenses (about the same as tear fluid). Specific examples thereof include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, glycerin,
Examples thereof include sodium sulfate and sodium phosphate. Among them, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and the like are preferable from the viewpoint of easy availability and cost. In addition, its concentration is such that the osmotic pressure of the treatment solution is 250 to 350 mm, including the above-mentioned buffering agent and the like.
ol / kg concentration, for example 0.01 to 1 mol /
1 and more preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mol / l. If the concentration of the isotonicity agent exceeds 1 mol / l, the osmotic pressure of the treatment solution becomes higher than the osmotic pressure of the tear fluid, so that the lens may be deformed or eye irritation may occur when wearing the contact lens. Because it is not preferable.

In the present invention, after the contact lens is immersed in such a treatment solution containing free chlorine, or simultaneously with such immersion, the above-mentioned polymer having an N-containing group is brought into contact with the treatment solution. Let them do it. The amount used is considered to be an equimolar reaction between the N-containing group and free chlorine in the formation reaction of chloramines (bound chlorine), so the number of N-containing groups contained in the polymer chain is greater than the number of free chlorine molecules. Will be appropriately determined. However, the reaction speed between the N-containing group contained in the polymer chain and free chlorine differs between the case of using a water-soluble polymer and the case of using a water-insoluble polymer. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately adjust the amount used.

That is, when a polymer having a water-soluble N-containing group such as polyacrylamide is used, the polymer is uniformly dispersed and dissolved in the treatment solution,
Since the reaction with free chlorine proceeds rapidly, the free chlorine concentration is 20
When a ppm treatment solution is used, it is preferably used in the range of 0.0002 to 0.1 g per 10 ml. More preferably, it is in the range of 0.002 to 0.05 g. When the amount of the polymer is less than 0.0002 g, the number of N-containing groups with respect to free chlorine becomes insufficient, and it becomes impossible to convert all the free chlorine existing in the treatment solution into chloramines. If the amount of the molecule is more than 0.1 g, the reaction between the N-containing group contained in the polymer chain and the free chlorine may be too fast and a sufficient bactericidal effect may not be obtained.

On the other hand, when a polymer having a water-insoluble N-containing group, such as cross-linked polyacrylamides, is used, the polymer disperses non-uniformly in the treatment solution and N Since the containing group is localized, the reaction between the N-containing group contained in the polymer chain and free chlorine becomes slow. Therefore,
It is necessary to use a larger amount than when a polymer having a water-soluble N-containing group is used.
When a ppm treatment solution is used, it is preferably used in an amount of 0.002 to 2.0 g per 10 ml. The range is more preferably 0.02 to 0.8 g.

By the way, since the sterilizing effect of contact lenses and the effect of removing stains such as proteins due to free chlorine appear in a short time, it is necessary to remove free chlorine as soon as possible after desired sterilization or sterilization cleaning. However, it is preferable in that it does not damage the contact lens.
However, in the conventional system using the reducing agent, the reducing agent works after the disinfection treatment, and the free chlorine concentration remained high until then, and the lens damage was large. On the other hand, in the present invention, the polymer having an N-containing group is brought into contact with the treatment solution during sterilization, and free chlorine is gradually removed from that point to reduce the concentration of free chlorine. It does not damage the lens. Moreover, after the treatment, the contact lens can be worn as it is without requiring a troublesome operation,
Sterility can be maintained well, which is extremely advantageous as a method for sterilizing and cleaning contact lenses.

In the method for treating a contact lens of the present invention, the operation of immersing the contact lens in a treatment solution containing free chlorine and contacting the treatment solution with a polymer having an N-containing group to remove free chlorine. Specifically, the operation of separating and removing the bound chlorine can be performed by the following method. (1) A method in which a polymer having an N-containing group is previously placed in a sterilization container, and a contact lens is placed therein together with a treatment solution containing free chlorine, and sterilization or sterilization cleaning is performed. (2) A method in which a treatment solution containing free chlorine is first placed in a sterilization container, a contact lens is placed therein for treatment, and then a polymer having an N-containing group is introduced immediately or after a lapse of a certain time. .. (3) A polymer having an N-containing group and a treatment solution containing free chlorine are set in advance in a position where they do not come into contact with each other in a sterilization container, and a contact lens is first placed in the treatment solution for treatment. A method of bringing the treatment solution into contact with the polymer by, for example, inclining the container.

Among the above methods, the method (1) is preferable because it is simple, the contact time between the contact lens and the high concentration of free chlorine is short, and the damage to the lens can be reduced. Then, the contact lens is stored in the state of being immersed in the treatment solution until the free chlorine concentration is reduced to a safe level, preferably until the free chlorine concentration becomes 0.5 ppm or less. After that, remove the contact lens from the treatment solution,
It can be applied to the eye as it is or after rinsing with physiological saline or the like.

[0026]

EXAMPLES Some examples of the present invention will be shown below to clarify the present invention in more detail. However, the present invention is not limited by the description of such examples. Needless to say, it is not something to receive. Further, in addition to the following specific examples, in addition to the following embodiments, the present invention includes various modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
It should be understood that modifications, improvements, etc. may be made.

Example 1 First, free chlorine: 18 ppm, sodium chloride: 0.8
A free chlorine solution containing 5 w / v% was added at 0.01 mol /
A contact lens treatment solution was prepared by adjusting pH to 7 using 1 l of phosphate buffer.

Then, in a vial having a volume of about 20 ml,
10 ml of the above contact lens treatment solution was added, and 0.005 g of polyacrylamide powder (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., molecular weight: 30000) was added as a polymer having a water-soluble N-containing group. , Soft contact lenses (manufactured by Menicon Co., Ltd., trade name "Menicon Soft MA") are completely immersed, and free chlorine is removed while sterilizing and cleaning the contact lenses in an atmosphere of 20 ° C. It was

Then, the free residual chlorine concentration and the chloramine (combined residual chlorine) concentration after a certain period of time are calculated by the Japanese Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences, "Hygiene Test Method / Note 1990" (Kanehara Shuppan), p947.
The water quality was measured according to the water quality test method (quantification by DPD oxidation colorimetric method) described in 1. The results are shown in Table 1 below. From Table 1, it can be seen that all the free chlorine in the treatment solution was converted into bound chlorine within 60 minutes.

Example 2 Soft contact lenses were sterilized and washed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the water-soluble polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1 was changed to 0.02 g.
The free residual chlorine concentration and the chloramine concentration were measured at regular intervals. The results are shown in Table 1 below.
From this, it can be seen that all the free chlorine in the treatment solution was converted into bound chlorine within 60 minutes.

Example 3 First, 5.0 g of acrylamide, 0.10 g of N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide and 0.046 g of ammonium persulfate were dissolved in 15.0 g of distilled water, and the mixture was placed in a glass tube at 30 ° C. After being polymerized at the temperature of 1 day, the obtained water-containing gel is boiled to remove unreacted acrylamide and further dried to obtain polyacrylamide which is a polymer having a water-insoluble N-containing group. It was

Then, in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.102 g of the water-insoluble polyacrylamide thus obtained was used in place of the polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1, sterilization of soft contact lenses was carried out. After washing, the free residual chlorine concentration and the chloramine concentration were measured at regular intervals. The results are shown in Table 1 below. As is clear from Table 1, within 60 minutes, all the free chlorine was converted to bound chlorine and further adsorbed by the polymer, so No bound residual chlorine was detected.

Example 4 The soft contact lens was sterilized and washed in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the amount of the water-insoluble polyacrylamide used in Example 3 was changed to 0.252 g.
The free residual chlorine concentration and the chloramine concentration were measured at regular intervals. The results are shown in Table 1 below.
As is clearer, within 60 minutes, free chlorine was completely converted to bound chlorine and further adsorbed by the polymer, so that bound residual chlorine was not detected at all in the treatment solution.

Example 5 Polyallylamine beads hydrochloride type water-insoluble polymer "PA
A / B ”(trade name, manufactured by Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.) 0.150
In the same manner as in Example 1 except that 6 g was used instead of the polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1, the soft contact lens was sterilized and washed to determine the free residual chlorine concentration and the chloramine concentration at regular time intervals. It was measured. The results are shown in Table 1 below. As is clear from Table 1, within 60 minutes, all the free chlorine was converted to bound chlorine and further adsorbed by the polymer, so No bound residual chlorine was detected.

Example 6 Polyallylamine hydrochloride type water-soluble polymer “PAA HC
L-3S "(trade name, manufactured by Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.) was used in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 0.05 ml of a 10% aqueous solution was used instead of the polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1. The contact lenses were sterilized and washed, and the free residual chlorine concentration and chloramine concentration were measured at regular intervals. The results are shown in Table 1 below. As is clear from Table 1, it can be seen that all the free chlorine was converted into bound chlorine within 60 minutes.

Example 7 The soft contact lens was sterilized and washed in the same manner as in Example 6 except that the amount of the 10% polyallylamine aqueous solution used in Example 6 was changed to 0.01 ml, and a certain period of time passed. The free residual chlorine concentration and chloramine concentration were measured for each. The results are shown in Table 1 below. As is clear from Table 1, it can be seen that all the free chlorine was converted into bound chlorine within 60 minutes.

Example 8 The polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1 was prepared by adding 0.80 g of an anion exchange resin "DIAION WA10" (trade name, manufactured by Mitsubishi Kasei Co., Ltd.) in which amino groups were introduced into polystyrene beads. Was used in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the soft contact lens was sterilized and washed, and the free residual chlorine concentration and the chloramine concentration were measured at regular time intervals. The results are shown in Table 1 below.
As is clear from Table 1, all free chlorine was converted into bound chlorine within 60 minutes and further adsorbed by the polymer, and no bound residual chlorine was detected in the treatment solution.

[0038]

[Table 1]

Example 9 (Bactericidal effect test) Free chlorine: 3.0 ppm and sodium chloride: 0.9
Free chlorine aqueous solution in which w / v% is dissolved: 10 ml, 20 ml
In a vial with a volume of
aphylococcus aureus) or Pseudomonas aerugi
Nosa) containing 1.2 × 10 ³ cells / ml: 0.1 ml
Then, 0.025 g of the water-insoluble polyacrylamide used in Example 3 was put and the lid was closed. Then, it was left for 30 minutes in a constant temperature water bath at 20 ° C. and sterilized while removing free chlorine.

After 30 minutes, 1.0 ml of the free chlorine solution was taken out and added to 15 ml of thioglycollate medium for sterility test (TGC medium, manufactured by Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.) at 31 ° C. for 7 days. After culturing, the bactericidal effect was examined. As a result, no growth was observed in any of the above two types of bacteria even after 7 days, and an excellent bactericidal effect by free chlorine was confirmed.

Example 10 (sterilization effect test) Free chlorine: 20 ppm, sodium chloride: 0.9 w / v
% Free chlorine solution: 10 ml was put into a vial having a volume of 20 ml, and a bacterial solution containing 1.5 × 10 ³ cells / ml of Aspergills fumigatus or Candida albicans. : 0.1 ml and 0.302 g of the water-insoluble polyacrylamide used in Example 3 were put and the lid was closed. Then, it was left standing in a constant temperature water bath of 20 ° C. for 7 hours to perform sterilization while removing free chlorine.

After 7 hours, 1.0 ml of the free chlorine solution was taken out and added to 15 ml of glucose peptone medium for fungal sterility test (manufactured by Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.), and added to 25
After culturing at 10 ° C for 10 days, the bactericidal effect was examined. As a result, no growth was observed in any of the above-mentioned two kinds of bacteria even after 10 days, and an excellent bactericidal effect by free chlorine was confirmed.

Example 11 (Cleaning effect test) In a vial having a volume of about 20 ml, free chlorine: 20 ppm
In addition, sodium chloride: 0.9 w / v% dissolved free chlorine solution or 10 ml of 0.9% physiological saline was added.
Then, each of the two cloudy soft contact lenses collected from the market was divided into two equal parts, and one piece was left as it was.
The solution was stored in 9% saline, and the remaining pieces were the water-soluble polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1: 0.004 g.
At the same time, it was soaked completely in the free chlorine solution. Then, in an atmosphere of 20 ° C., free chlorine was removed from the solution while removing the cloudy stain adhering to the contact lens.

After 7 hours, each lens piece was taken out and compared in a dark field under a microscope. As a result, the transparency of both contact lenses treated with the free chlorine solution was clearly restored as compared with the untreated contact lens, and the excellent effect of removing protein stains by free chlorine was confirmed.

Example 12 (Cleaning effect test) In a vial having a volume of about 20 ml, free chlorine: 20 ppm
And sodium chloride: 10 ml of a free chlorine solution containing 0.9 w / v% or 0.9% saline. Then, each of the two cloudy, oxygen-permeable hard contact lenses collected from the market was divided into two equal parts, one piece was stored as it was in 0.9% physiological saline, and the remaining piece was prepared in Example 3. Water-insoluble polyacrylamide used: 0.0
It was soaked completely in the free chlorine solution with 1 g.
Then, in an atmosphere of 20 ° C., free chlorine was removed from the solution while removing the cloudy stain adhering to the contact lens.

After 7 hours, the lens pieces were taken out and compared in a dark field under a microscope. As a result, the transparency of both contact lenses treated with the free chlorine solution was clearly restored as compared with the untreated contact lens, and the excellent effect of removing protein stains by free chlorine was confirmed.

Example 13 (Fade test) Free chlorine: 10 ppm in a vial having a volume of about 20 ml.
And 10 ml of a free chlorine solution containing 0.9 w / v% of sodium chloride, and a soft contact lens (manufactured by Menicon Co., Ltd. under the trade name “Menicon Soft”, together with the polyacrylamide powder used in Example 1: 0.03 g. M
A ”) I put two of them in it so that it would be completely immersed. Then, after soaking for 10 hours, the free chlorine solution is discarded, and fresh free chlorine solution: 10 ml and polyacrylamide powder:
The cycle of adding 0.03 g was repeated 10 times. For comparison, the same operation was performed without using the polyacrylamide powder.

As a result, the fading of the color was clearly observed in the contact lens containing no polyacrylamide powder, but the contact lens containing the polyacrylamide powder was regarded as a contact lens (Blank) not treated. It was found that the same color can be maintained and it can be safely used for color contact lenses.

[0049]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the method for treating a contact lens according to the present invention, the sterilization and washing of the contact lens can be performed by the excellent sterilizing power and detergency of free chlorine contained in the treatment solution. While performing effectively, free chlorine can be advantageously separated and removed as bound chlorine by a simple operation of bringing a polymer having an N-containing group into contact with the treatment solution. Therefore, the treatment operation is simple, the safety is high, and the sterility of the contact lens can be kept good. Furthermore, the removal of free chlorine, which has a strong deteriorating effect on the contact lens material, can be carried out very quickly. Therefore, lens damage can be minimized.

When a water-insoluble polymer is used as the N-containing polymer, not only free chlorine but also bound chlorine can be removed from the treatment solution. Since there is no danger of entering the inside of the contact lens, there is an advantage that the safety can be further enhanced.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A contact lens to be treated is immersed in a treatment solution containing an amount of free chlorine effective for sterilizing the contact lens and / or removing stains of organic substances such as proteins adhering to the lens. Later or at the same time as the immersion, free chlorine is separated and removed as bound chlorine from the treatment solution. An amino group, an imino group, and -CONH ₂
A method for treating a contact lens, which comprises contacting a polymer having at least one N-containing group selected from the group consisting of a group and a -CONH- group. 2. The treatment solution is adjusted to a physiologically isotonic pH of 6.0 to 7.5, the contact lens is dipped in the treatment solution, and after or after the dipping. At the same time, a polymer having at least one N-containing group selected from the group consisting of an amino group, an imino group, a -CONH ₂ group and a -CONH- group, which separates and removes free chlorine as bound chlorine, is added to the treatment solution. The contact lens is kept in contact with the treatment solution until the amount of free chlorine present in the treatment solution becomes 0.5 ppm or less.
The method for treating a contact lens described.