Compositions and methods for treating glaucoma by restoring the filtration capabilities of the endothelial lining of Schlemm's canal are provided. More particularly, methods of lowering intraocular pressure are disclosed, where a subject in need of such treatment is administered a therapeutically effective amount of a composition. In various embodiments, the composition may include tyrosine or L-DOPA conjugated to an ascorbic acid, an enzyme, a nucleic acid encoding an enzyme, or trabecular meshwork cells.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for injecting compounds into a vitreous body. Carbon nanotubes can be functionalized with a variety of agents, such as therapeutic agents and/or diagnostic agents, which can be injected into a vitreous body for treatment or detection of ocular tumors such as retinoblastoma. The carbon nanotubes can effectively penetrate the ocular tumor, making them effective carriers for the therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.

Methods and compositions are provided for reducing intraocular pressure, for example in the treatment of glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The method includes introducing into a suprachoroidal space of an eye of the patient a composition effective to maintain a reduction in IOP for at least 30 days. The composition may include a cross-linked hydrogel or a material configured to crosslink or further crosslink in vivo.

A dissolvable medical device for protecting a corneal surface and providing lubrication and hydration to the corneal surface during ophthalmic surgery comprising: a polymeric film has sufficient dimensions to substantially cover a cornea when applied to an eye, wherein the polymeric film comprising one or more mucoadhesive polymers. The polymeric film dissolves between 15 minutes to 120 minutes to release the mucoadhesive polymers after applying the polymeric film to the eye and the polymeric film provides more effective corneal surface protection relative to a saline treatment based on Mean Green Fluorescence Index test (demonstrates corneal damage) during a simulated surgery. In addition, a kit for use in ophthalmic surgical procedures comprises 1) the at least one dissolvable medical device and 2) at least one viscosurgical viscoelastic or at least one ophthalmoscopic surgical contact lens.

A dissolvable medical device for placing on the outer exposed surface of the eye to heal the corneal wound comprising of: a polymeric film has sufficient dimensions to substantially cover a cornea when applied to an eye, wherein the polymeric film comprising one or more mucoadhesive polymers, wherein the polymeric film dissolves between 15 minutes to 120 minutes to release the mucoadhesive polymers, wherein the dissolved polymeric film is not impeding visualization of ocular tissue while maintaining a protective film on outer surface of the eye.

A dissolvable medical device for placing on the outer exposed surface of the eye to deliver a drug to the eye comprising: a polymeric film has sufficient dimensions to substantially cover a cornea when applied to an eye, wherein the polymeric film comprising one or more mucoadhesive polymers. The polymeric film dissolves between 15 minutes to 120 minutes to release the mucoadhesive and the pharmaceutically active agents after applying the polymeric film to the eye. The dissolved polymeric film is not impeding visualization of ocular tissue while maintaining a protective film on outer surface of the eye.

A method and device for treating a mammalian organism to obtain a desired local or systemic physiological or pharmacological effect is provided. The method includes administering a sustained release drug delivery system to a mammalian organism in need of such treatment at an area wherein release of an effective agent is desired and allowing the effective agent to pass through the device in a controlled manner. The device includes an inner core or reservoir including the effective agent, an impermeable tube which encloses portions of the reservoir, and a permeable member at an end of the tube.

An ocular implantation device comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis, a needle configured to receive an implant, and a plunger and a rod operatively coupled together. The plunger and the rod are disposed in the housing and are collectively, translationally moveable along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The rod is configured to be receivable within at least a portion of the needle to enable the rod to move the implant therethrough. An actuator is operatively engaged with the plunger such that movement of the actuator in a direction aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing results in the translational movement of the plunger and the rod along the longitudinal axis of the housing in order to deliver the implant through the needle to a target site. An alternative embodiment of an ocular implantation device uses a retractable needle to deliver an implant.

A therapeutic device to release a therapeutic agent comprises a porous structure coupled to a container comprising a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a volume sized to release therapeutic amounts of the therapeutic agent for an extended time when coupled to the porous structure and implanted in the patient. The porous structure may comprise a first side coupled to the reservoir and a second side to couple to the patient to release the therapeutic agent. A plurality of interconnecting channels can extend from the first side to the second side so as to connect a first a plurality of openings on the first side with a second plurality of openings on the second side.

The invention relates to aqueous suspension pharmaceutical compositions of poorly water soluble drugs, wherein said drugs are selected from compounds of formula (I) (Formula (I)), wherein R.sup.1-R.sup.9 are defined herein; processes for preparing these compositions and their use in medicine, especially their use in the treatment of ocular diseases. ##STR00001##