OPHTHALMIC COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING DIGLYCINE

1 . An ophthalmic composition comprising an epithelium cell stabilizer component including at least one member of the group consisting of diglycine, triglycine, tetraglycine and pentaglycine.

2 . A composition as in claim 1 wherein the epithelium cell stabilizer component includes diglycine.

3 . A composition as in claim 1 wherein the epithelium cell stabilizer component is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 10% w/w.

4 . A composition as in claim 1 , further comprising a polyol component.

5 . A composition as in claim 4 wherein said polyol component includes at least one member of the group consisting of glycerin, trehalose, arabitol, erythirtol, glycerol, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol.

6 . A composition as in claim 4 wherein said polyol component is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.2% w/w to 3% w/w.

7 . A composition as in claim 1 , further comprising a buffering system selected from the group consisting of a borate buffer, a phosphate buffer, a carbonate buffer, a citrate buffer or a mixture two or more thereof.

8 . A composition as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one tear protein that is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.01% w/w to 10% w/w.

9 . A composition as in claim 8 wherein the tear protein is selected from the group consisting of lysozyme, lactoferrin and mixtures thereof.

10 . A composition as in claim 11 further comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, alginate, carbomer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene, ethylcellulose and povidone.

11 . A composition as in claim 11 further comprising at least one preservative selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sorbic acid/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, biguanides, sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide.

12 . A composition as in claim 11 further comprising a surfactant selected from the group consisting of polysorbate, cremophor, triton, poloxamer, poloxamine and tyloxapol.

13 . A composition as in claim 11 further comprising at least one therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, immunosuppressive agent, antifungal agents and antiprotozoal agents.

14 . A composition as in claim 1 having an osmolality from 200 mOsmol/kg to 400 mOsmol/kg.

15 . A composition as in claim 1 , further comprising hyaluronic acid or a physiologically compatible salt thereof.

16 . A composition as in claim 1 formulated as an eye drop or eye wash solution.

17 . A composition as in claim 1 formulated for cleaning, disinfecting and/or packaging contact lenses.

18 . A method of treating or preventing dry eye comprising administering an effective amount of an ophthalmic composition to the eye, said composition comprising an epithelium cell stabilizer component including at least one member of the group consisting of diglycine, triglycine, tetraglycine and pentaglycine.

19 . A method as in claim 18 wherein said composition further comprises at least one tear protein selected from the group consisting of lysozyme, lactoferrin and mixtures thereof, the total amount of the tear protein present in the composition in an amount of from 0.01% w/w to 10% w/w.

20 . A method as in claim 18 wherein said composition further comprises a polyol selected from the group consisting of glycerin, trehalose, arabitol, erythirtol, glycerol, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol, the total amount of the polyol present in the composition in an amount of from 0.2% w/w to 3% w/w.

21 . A method as in claim 18 wherein the epithelium cell stabilizer component includes diglycine.