Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and/or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or Stargardt's disease in a patient subject to, or symptomatic of the disease, whereby normal lysosomal pH (pHL) of compromised retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells of the eye is restored, or abnormally elevated pHL is reacidified, thus decreasing or preventing damaging accumulations of lipofuscin debris or photoreceptor waste products. Further provided is a method for restoring photoreceptors to the eye of a patient subject to, or symptomatic of reduced photoreceptor activity or lipofuscin accumulation in RPE cells. By these methods D5 dopamine receptor (D5DR) agonists are administered to stimulate D5DR activity of compromised RPE cells, thereby regulating and reacidifying lysosomal pH (pHL) by a D5 dopamine receptor-(D5DR)-mediated pathway, without altering baseline maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and/or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and/or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting unwanted angiogenesis, particularly those of ocular tissues. The treatment, inhibition, and/or prevention of choroidal neovasculature (CNV) is provided, along with an animal model for CNV and imaging techniques that permit the screening of potential agents as anti-angiogenesis and anti-CNV agents.

Abstract: Methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye including, but are not limited to: central retinal artery occlusion; central retinal vein occlusion; optic neuropathy including, but not limited to, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and glaucomatous optic neuropathy; and macular (dry) degeneration are disclosed. These methods comprise administering to a patient a prophylactically or therapeutically effective amount of a cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprising cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for the inhibition of the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a muscarinic pharmacological antagonist relatively selective for blocking the cholinergic receptors in cells of the brain, neural tissue and/or neural ganglia but less selective for blocking the cholinergic receptors of the cells of smooth muscles at the front of the eye, said antagonist present in a carrier or diluent suitable for ocular administration. A suitable antagonist is pirenzepine. Other suitable antagonists are telenzepine and o-methoxy-sila-hexocyclium.

Abstract: A method of controlling the abnormal postnatal growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises the ocular administration of therapeutically effective amounts of a dopamine antagonist.

Abstract: A composition for the inhibition of the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a gamma aminobutyric acid antagonist relatively selective for GABA.sub.B receptors in the cells of the eye, said antagonist present in a carrier or diluent suitable for ocular administration. A suitable antagonist is 2-OH saclofen.

Abstract: A composition for the inhibition of the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a tricyclic compound, said tricyclic compound present in a carrier or diluent suitable for ocular administration. Suitable tricyclics are tertiary amines, secondary amines, and other active metabolites of tricyclic compounds.

Abstract: A composition for the inhibition of the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a gamma aminobutyric acid antagonist relatively selective for GABA.sub.B receptors in the cells of the eye, said antagonist present in a carrier or diluent suitable for ocular administration. A suitable antagonist is 2-OH saclofen.

Abstract: A method of inducing axial elongation of an eye of an animal comprising contacting a first open animal eye with a cholinergic agonist, detecting the change in axial growth of the first eye, applying a known control agent in a second open animal eye, observing the results of the control agent on the second eye, and comparing the change in axial growth of the first eye with the change in axial growth of the second eye.

Abstract: A composition for the inhibition of the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a muscarinic pharmacological antagonist relatively selective for blocking the cholinergic receptors in cells of the brain, neural tissue and/or neural ganglia but less selective for blocking the cholinergic receptors of the cells of smooth muscles at the front of the eye, said antagonist present in a carrier or diluent suitable for ocular administration. A suitable antagonist is pirenzepine. Other suitable antagonists are telenzepine and o-methoxy-sila-hexocyclium.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal during conditions ordinarily leading to said abnormal growth, which comprises (1) determining the neurochemical present in the retina of said eye, eg., dopamine, the concentrations of which is reduced during said conditions, and (2) administering to said eye during post natal maturation effective amounts of said neurochemical, its agonist or its antagonist.

Abstract: A composition for the inhibition of the abnormal postnatal axial growth of the eye of a maturing animal which comprises a pharmaceutically effective amount of a muscarinic pharmacological antagonist relatively selective for blocking the cholinergic receptors in cells of the brain, neural tissue and/or neural ganglia but less selective for blocking the cholinergic receptors of the cells of smooth muscles at the front of the eye, said antagonist present in a carrier or diluent suitable for ocular administration. A suitable antagonist is pirenzepine. Other suitable antagonists are telenzepine and o-methoxy-sila-hexocyclium.

Abstract: A method and composition for inhibition of abnormal postnatal ocular growth are disclosed. The composition comprises vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), PHI or a analogue of these peptides. The method for inhibition of abnormal postnatal ocular growth comprises administering to the eye of an animal effective amount of VIP, PHI or analogue of these peptides.

Abstract: A method of using carboxyfluorescein in ophthalmic studies comprising applying of the eye an effective amount of at least one active isomer of carboxyfluorescein.