Abstract: Biocompatible intraocular implants include an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and a polymer associated with the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist to facilitate release of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist into an eye for an extended period of time. The alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. The implants can be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions, such as an ocular vasculopathy or glaucoma, including reduction of an elevated intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a bioadhesive laminate comprising a hot-melt extruded reservoir layer and a hot-melt extruded backing layer is provided. The reservoir layer comprises a thermoplastic bioadhesive composition containing an active agent. An active agent-containing thermoplastic bioadhesive hydrophilic composition is hot-melt coextruded with a hydrophobic composition to form at least a bi-layered laminate. The hydrophilic composition and the hydrophobic composition have at least one polymer in common. In addition, the melt flow index of the hydrophobic composition is within 50% of the melt flow index of the hydrophilic composition. As a result, the laminate has a uniform transverse cross-section and/or a uniform longitudinal cross-section throughout a major of the length of the laminate. Moreover, when the laminate is divided into unit doses of approximately the same size, they have a high degree of content uniformity with respect to the active agent(s) present therein.

Abstract: An ophthalmic oil-in-water type emulsion, which includes colloid particles having an oily core surrounded by an interfacial film, the emulsion including at least one cationic agent, at least one no ionic surfactant, the emulsion having a positive zeta potential and meeting zeta potential stability Test A requirements. Process for making the emulsions. Delivery device selected from the group including lenses, ocular patch, implant, insert, the device containing an emulsion according to the invention.

Abstract: A well tolerated oil-in-water emulsion useful as a delivery vehicle of hydrophobic ingredients such as pharmaceutical drugs, wherein the emulsion particles have a net positive charge and comprises 0.001 to 0.1% of a cationic agent, 0 to 1% of a non ionic surfactant and 0 to 0.5% of an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: Cationic ophthalmic oil-in-water type emulsions, include colloid particles having an oily core surrounded by an interfacial film, the emulsion including at least one cationic agent and at least one non ionic surfactant, the oily core including a prostaglandin selected from the group comprising in particular latanoprost, unoprostone isopropyl, travoprost, bimatoprost, tafluprost, 8-isoprostaglandinE2, or a mixture thereof, for treating ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma. These emulsions have the property to increase the chemical stability of prostaglandins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drug delivery systems comprising ocular implant, which include organic molecules, capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation, in combination with a polymer, which polymer serves to control, modify, modulate and/or slow the release of the therapeutic component into the environment of the eye in which said composite is placed.

Abstract: A method and article to treat ocular disease with Cyclosporin A alone or with compounds related to Cyclosporin A for intraocular injection or implantation. Treatment does not result in ocular toxicity and encompasses age related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and retinopathy such as diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: The use of collectins and/or surfactant proteins for the treatment and prevention of ocular disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of one or more antimicrobial metals preferably selected from silver, gold, platinum, and palladium but most preferably silver, formed with atomic disorder, and preferably in a nanocrystalline form, for reducing inflammation or infection of the mucosal membrane. The antimicrobial metal may be formulated as, or used in the form of, a nanocrystalline coating of one or more antimicrobial or noble metals, a nanocrystalline powder of one or more antimicrobial or noble metals, or a liquid or solution containing dissolved species from a nanocrystalline powder or coating of one or more antimicrobial or noble metals.

Abstract: Vanadium compounds for inhibiting angiogenesis useful for treating or preventing diabetic retinopathy, hemangiomas, cancers with abnormal blood vessel supply, restenosis following vascular injury, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of quinolone carboxylic acid formulations in the treatment of ocular and periocular infections. The present invention also relates to sustained release compositions comprising specific quinolone carboxylic acid compounds. The invention also relates to quinolone carboxylic acid compositions and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of quinolone carboxylic acid formulations in the treatment of ocular and periocular infections. The present invention also relates to sustained release compositions comprising specific quinolone carboxylic acid compounds. The invention also relates to quinolone carboxylic acid compositions and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: Ophthalmic compositions containing Lipoxin A4 and its analogs and methods of their use for treating dry eve are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing an intraocular lens, comprising the steps of injecting a high-refractive index, low viscosity composition of crosslinkable units into an enclosure and initiating polymerization under pressure to create a synthetic polymer lens. The method is especially suitable for producing an intraocular lens directly in the capsular bag of the eye from an injected aqueous solution of macromolecular particles, which can undergo a crosslinking reaction to a solid lens when exposed to light.

Abstract: A scleral plug which releases a drug accurately in a specified amount. The scleral plug is formed from a blend of a high-molecular weight polylactic acid having a molecular weight of 40,000 or higher and a low-molecular weight polylactic acid having a molecular weight of 40,000 or lower, and contains a drug for treating or preventing a vitreoretinal disease. The high-molecular weight polylactic acid and the low-molecular weight polylactic acid are in a blending ratio of preferably 90/10 to 50/50, more preferably 90/10 to 70/30, and most preferably 80/20. The molecular weight of the high-molecular weight polylactic acid is preferably 40,000 to 200,000. The molecular weight of the low-molecular weight polylactic acid is preferably 3,000 to 40,000, and more preferably 5,000 to 20,000. The drug is, for example, an antiulcer agent, an antiviral agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antifungal agent or an antimicrobial.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation may be prepared by a method comprising providing the active ingredient in solution in a pharmacologically-acceptable base and mixing the resulting solution with a pharmacologically-acceptable acid in an amount such that the formulation attains a pH in the range of from about 3.5 to about 8.5 to thereby precipitate out the active ingredients, a viscosity-enhancing agent having been incorporated in the formulation prior to or during the mixing with acid. The formulation is suitable for administration of a pharmacologically active ingredient which is sparingly soluble in water at a pH acceptable for administration, for example to the eye of the patient.

Abstract: A method to reduce the likelihood of conjunctivitis in farm animals, especially cattle, includes the step of injecting an implant containing an antibiotic effective against the microbes associated with conjunctivitis subcutaneously into the animal in close proximity to the eye. Preferably the implant includes a matrix to allow time release of the antibiotic and the implant is placed in the animal near the first part of July. Also preferably the antibiotic is tetracycline.

Abstract: Agents which modulate pathways of apoptotic induction or repression in which products of opioid peptide precursors genes participate, useful as inducers of apoptosis in cells and in tumor cells in particular, are disclosed. Methods of treatment employing such agents and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also described.

Abstract: Methods of facilitating surgical operations that involve the eye or eye area comprise introducing an opthalmologically acceptable composition containing hyaluronic acid into the site of the surgical operation. The hyaluronic acid comprises a chemically unmodified sterilized hyaluronic acid substance having a weight average molecular weight of from 4,500,000 to 12,000,000 daltons, a zero shear viscosity of from 1,000 to 80,000 Pas as measured on a 1.3-1.6% (wv) solution of hyaluronic acid substance in physiological phosphate buffer, and an absorbance at 257 nm of less than 3.5 when measured on a 1% solution of hyaluronic acid substance in sodium chloride buffer in a 10 mm cuvette. Preferred sterilized solutions of hyaluronic acid comprise hyaluronic acid which is chemically unmodified from the naturally occurring hyaluronic acid and has a weight average molecular weight of from 4,500,000 to 8,000,000 daltons, a zero shear viscosity of from 1,000 to 20,000 Pas and an absorbance at 257 nm of less than 3.5.

Abstract: Disclosed are storage-stable preserved ophthalmic compositions containing acidic drugs in combination with polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds and boric acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are storage-stable preserved ophthalmic compositions containing acidic drugs in combination with polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds and boric acid.

Abstract: Bio-erodible ophthalmic shields comprising gelatin, a glycosaminoglycan (for example chondroitin sulfate) and carboxymethyl cellulose, and a method of treating a traumatized or "dry" eye by administering the gelatin-based ophthalmic shields to the traumatized eye. The ophthalmic shields are bio-compatible and bio-erodible in traumatized, non-traumatized and dry eyes. The gelatin-based ophthalmic shields can further include one or more therapeutically active substances that will be released to the eye.

Abstract: Presented are a controlled-release pharmaceutical preparation for intra-ocular implant to be applied to the interior of the eye after a surgical operation for disorders in retina/vitreous body or for glaucoma, which is produced by homogeneously dispersing an anti-inflammatory agent or a cell proliferation antagonist in certain polylactic acid and forming it into a particular shape; and a method for the prevention of the recurrence of said disorders or glaucoma after a surgical operation therefor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sustained release liquid aqueous ophthalmic delivery system and a method of providing a slow and sustained release of ophthalmic treating agents to the eye of a mammal which comprises administering to the eye of a said mammal an effective amount of a homogeneous liquid aqueous ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition, of pH between about 3.0 and about 6.2, which is adminstrable in drop form and which comprises an ophthalmically effective concentration of a said ophthalmic treating agent and about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the polymer chitosan; said polymer consisting essentially of(A) monomeric .beta.(1.fwdarw.4)-D-glucosamine linked units and of(B) monomeric .beta.(1.fwdarw.

Abstract: A hydrogel composition is disclosed which comprises water and a copolymer. In one embodiment, the copolymer is formed by reacting about 85% to about 99% by weight of at least one member selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N,N-diethylacrylamide, N-methyl, N-ethylacrylamide and mixtures thereof; about 1% to about 15% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates and mixtures thereof wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and a minor, effective amount of at least one cross-linking agent. Such hydrogel compositions are effective as corneal inlays and onlays.

Abstract: Lightly crosslinked polymers, preferably ones prepared by suspension or emulsion polymerizing at least about 90% by weight of a carboxyl-containing monoethylenically unsaturated monomer such as acrylic acid with from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a polyfunctional, and preferably difunctional, crosslinking agent such as divinyl glycol (3,4-dihydroxy-1,5-hexadiene), having a particle size of not more than about 50 .mu.m in equivalent spherical diameter, when formulated with an ophthalmic medicament, e.g., fluorometholone, into suspensions in aqueous medium in which the amount of polymer ranges from about 0.1% to about 6.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous suspension, the pH is from about 3.0 to about 6.

Abstract: A topical, aqueous ophthalmic gel suspension for dry eye is administrable to the eye in drop form, remains as a gel in the eye for a prolonged time, and releases water and one or more ophthalmic demulcents or vasoconstrictors. It comprises water and from 0.1% to 6.5% by weight of lightly cross-linked carboxyl-containing polymer having a particle size of not more than about 50 .mu.m in equivalent spherical diameter. The suspension is at a pH of from 6.6 to 8.0, has an osmolality of from 50 to 400 mOsM, and a viscosity of from about 500 to about 4,000 centipoise (0.5 to 4 Pa.s).

Abstract: A cyclic peptide designated FR115224, administered parenterally in a cyclodextrin carrier, which exhibits antiallergic activity.

Abstract: Wound healing dressings are prepared by flocculating fibronectin, a biologically active fragment or an analog thereof to produce a water-swellable gel. The gels, in the form of sheets, strips, wedges, strands or I-shaped cross-sections, are especially useful in promoting the healing of corneal, scleral dermal, incisional wounds or lesions. They can be used to enhance the results obtained in keratorefractive surgeries and the healing scleral incision for intraocular surgery.

Abstract: An inventive method for preventing ultraviolet radiation exposure to the outer tissues of mammalian eyes is disclosed. In particular, the composition containing about 0.3%-0.4% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in the form of either an eyedrop solution or an ointment is applied to the eyes prior to exposure to UV radiation.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a process for the prevention and reversal of cataracts. Specifically, the invention comprises the treatment of the eye lens with an effective cataract inhibiting amount of thioredoxin or thioredoxin-derived, or thioredoxin-like, dithiol peptide, alone, or in combination with a thioredoxin reductase regenerating system. The thioredoxin compound can be administered topically to a patient in need of such treatment on a daily basis over an extended period of time via known delivery techniques such as eye drops and ocular inserts.

Abstract: Crosslinked hyaluronic acid or salts thereof prepared by crosslinking hyaluronic acid or salts thereof with a polyfunctional epoxy compound wherein a crosslinking index or number is 5 or more per 1000 repeating disaccharides composed of glucronic acid in hyaluronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, and having various medical and cosmetic uses.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an amino acid polymer, a cross-linking agent, and an optional hydrophobic monomer and/or a chain regulator in conjunction with a lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4), polar solvent and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an amino acid polymer, a cross-linking agent, an optional hydrophobic polymer and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.