Compositions and methods for treating eye discomfort

Details Compositions and methods for treating eye discomfort Compositions and methods for treating eye discomfort

2001-06-01

2003-03-25

Page, Thurman K. (Department: 1615)

Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions

Preparations characterized by special physical form

Particulate form

C424S451000, C424S464000, C424S725000, C424S732000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06537581

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating eye disorders. More specifically, it relates to nutraceutical compositions for treating eye discomfort symptoms, and methods for treating these symptoms with said compositions.
BACKGROUND ART
One in five Americans suffers from discomfort of the eyes. One of the most common eye discomforts is due to dry eye condition. Dry eye conditions are characterized by ocular surface epithelium undergoing squamous metaplasia, loss of goblet cells, mucin deficiency and keratinization, leading to the clinical symptoms of dry eye syndrome. The advent of computer technology has accelerated the prevalence of vision disorders such as the dry eye syndromes. This is primarily due to the necessary use of video display terminals such as computer monitors.
The prevalence of dry eye discomfort in visual display terminal users and contact lens wearers is significantly higher than in non-visual display terminal users and non-contact lens wearers. It is suggested that dry eye is one of the most common ocular disorders encountered by physicians. Hijichi, T. et al.,
Graefes Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol.
(1995), 233(9):555-8.
The correlation between eye discomfort symptoms generally and work with visual display terminals has been clearly documented. The occurrence of eye discomfort increases as the extent of work involving visual display terminals increases. Symptoms include sensitivity to light, smarting and gritting feeling of the eyes, and eye redness. Bergqvist and Knave,
Scand. J. Work Environ. Health
(1994), 20(1):27-33. It is estimated that between 75 and 88 percent of patients who use video display terminals regularly are likely to be symptomatic for visual problems. Salibello, C. and Nilsen, E.,
J. Am. Optom. Assoc.
(1995), 66(8):479-83. It has been found that, on the average, 14.25 percent of optometric patients present with symptoms primarily associated with the use of video display terminals, which translates into approximately 10 million cases annually in the U.S. population. Sheedy, J. E.,
J. Am. Optom. Assoc.
(1992), 63(10):687-92.
The use of video display terminals in the workplace is growing rapidly. It was estimated that more than 100 million workers in the United States and Canada would be using computers daily by the year 2000. Kirsner, R. S. and Federman, D. G.,
South Med. J.
(1998), 91(1):12-6. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that there will be a significant increase in the prevalence of eye discomfort symptoms resulting from the use of computers.
Herbal remedies that are thought to be beneficial for improving visual functions generally are of unspecific efficacy for eye discomfort. For example, a composition containing bilberry has been indicated to improve night vision acuity, field of vision and adaptation to light. U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,102. It is not disclosed whether this composition would be beneficial to individuals suffering from more specific (and more prevalent) eye discomfort conditions such as the dry eye syndrome.
A composition that addresses the causes of dry eye syndrome and supports the body's natural tear formation is known. (HydroEye, ScienceBased Health, Carson City, Nev.). The ingredients in this composition include vitamins A, C and B-6, magnesium sulfate, mucin complex, cod liver oil and black currant oil.
Multinutrient formulations with eye-specific nutrients are known. (MaculaRx & MaculaRx Plus, ScienceBased Health, Carson City, Nev.). The ingredients include vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C and E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, carotenoids, taurine, N-acetyl cysteine, lipoic acid, inositol, bilberry extract and ginkgo biloba extract.
A multivitamin supplement with basic eye-specific nutrients is known. (Ocular Essentials, ScienceBased Health, Carson City, Nev.). Its ingredients include Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D3, E and K, biotin, folic acid, boron, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, sodium, selenium, zinc, carotenoids, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin, taurine, and bilberry extract.
A formulation for providing eye health and nutritional support is known. (OculaRx, ScienceBased Health, Carson City, Nev.). Its ingredients include Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D3 and E, biotin, folic acid, boron, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganses, molybdenum, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, bilberry extract, carotenoids, choline, ginkgo extract, grape seed extract, hesperidin bioflavonoid complex, lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine, rutin and taurine.
A composition for treating eye disorders is known. (Visianna Eye Refresher, Amino Foods Technologies, San Jose, Calif.). The ingredients in this formula include gochee berry extract (lycium barbarum L.), juhua (chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat), beta-carotene, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, zinc, copper, selenium and magnesium.
In view of the seriousness and prevalence of eye discomfort symptoms, and the corresponding need to alleviate said symptoms without significant side effects, it would be advantageous to have compositions and methods that are efficacious and safe to address this need. The invention described and claimed in this specification presents such compositions and methods.
All references cited herein, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Compositions and methods for treating eye discomfort are provided. The compositions comprise substances in quantities that are effective in relieving eye discomfort. Methods of treating eye discomfort comprising administration of the claimed compositions are also provided.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a composition for treating eye discomfort comprising a substance selected from the group consisting of a member of the botanical group poria cocos, a member of the botanical group Cassia, a member of the botanical group Morus, a member of the botanical group Dioscorea, a member of the botanical group officinale and a member of the botanical group Rehmannia.
In another aspect, the invention provides a composition for treating eye discomfort comprising 2 substances selected from the group consisting of a member of the botanical group poria cocos, a member of the botanical group Cassia, a member of the botanical group Morus, a member of the botanical group Dioscorea, a member of the botanical group officinale and a member of the botanical group Rehmannia.
In another aspect, the invention provides a composition for treating eye discomfort comprising 3 substances selected from the group consisting of a member of the botanical group poria cocos, a member of the botanical group Cassia, a member of the botanical group Morus, a member of the botanical group Dioscorea, a member of the botanical group officinale and a member of the botanical group Rehmannia.
In another aspect, the invention provides a composition for treating eye discomfort comprising 4 substances selected from the group consisting of a member of the botanical group poria cocos, a member of the botanical group Cassia, a member of the botanical group Morus, a member of the botanical group Dioscorea, a member of the botanical group officinale and a member of the botanical group Rehmannia.
In another aspect, the invention provides a composition for treating eye discomfort comprising 5 substances selected from the group consisting of a member of the botanical group poria cocos, a member of the botanical group Cassia, a member of the botanical group Morus, a member of the botanical group Dioscorea, a member of the botanical group officinale and a member of the botanical group Rehmannia.
In another aspect, the invention provides a composition for treating eye discomfort comprising a member of the botanical group poria cocos, a member of the botanical group Cassia, a member of the botanical group Morus, a member of the botanical group Dioscorea, a member of the botanical group officinale and a member of the botanical group Rehmannia.
In one embodiment, the inven

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