Use of low molecular weight amino alcohols in ophthalmic compositions

1. A sterile ophthalmic composition for treating contact lenses wherein the ophthalmic composition is free of any pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of glaucoma, infection, inflammation or allergy; and comprises 0.1 to 2.0 w/v % of a low molecular weight amino alcohol with a molecular weight of from 60 to 200 and a borate/polyol buffer; wherein the composition is a contact lens cleaning and disinfecting solution that exhibits significantly enhanced anti-microbial activity against S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa due to the inclusion of the amino alcohol and the amino alcohol is selected from the group consisting of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), 2-dimethylamino-methyl-1-propanol (DMAMP), 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol (AEPD), 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD), 2-amino-1-butanol (AB), and combinations thereof; and the ophthalmic composition has a pH and tonicity which are compatible with the eye.

2. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the amino alcohol is AMP.

3. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the solution has an osmolality at 210-320 milliosmoles per kilogram such that it is compatible with an eye.

4. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the solution has a pH at 7.4.

5. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the solution further comprises a polymeric quaternary ammonium agent.

6. A composition as in claim 5 wherein the polymeric quaternary ammonium agent is polyquaternium-1.

7. A composition as in claim 5 wherein the polymeric quaternary ammonium agent is a polymeric biguanide.

8. A composition as in claim 7 wherein the polymeric biguanide is polyhexylmethyl biguanide.

9. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the pH of the composition is from 7.4 to 7.8.

10. A composition as in claim 1 wherein the polyol is selected from the group consisting of mannitol and sorbitol.