Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression in ocular disorders involving CTGF expression. Ocular disorders involving aberrant CTGF expression include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and wound healing. Such disorders are treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: An ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment of glaucoma and control of intraocular pressure comprising an effective amount of a selective modulator of ALK5 receptor activity is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of treating glaucoma and controlling intraocular pressure comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a selective modulator of ALK5 receptor activity to an affected eye of a patient.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one embodiment a method of treating glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising at least one prenyltransferase inhibitor. In another embodiment, the invention concerns a composition for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of a prenyltransferase inhibitor.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of ocular hypertension target mRNA expression for lowering elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension targets include carbonic anhydrase II, IV, and XII; ?1- and ?2 adrenergic receptors; acetylcholinesterase; Na+/K+-ATPase; and Na—K-2Cl cotransporter. Ocular hypertension is treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one embodiment a method for treating glaucoma or elevated IOP in a patient comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition comprising an agent that inhibits PAI-1 expression or PAI-1 activity. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of treating a PAI-1-associated ocular disorder in a subject in need, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition comprising an agent that inhibits PAI-1 activity or expression.

Abstract: The use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., statins) to treat glaucoma, control intraocular pressure, preserve the trabecular meshwork, protect against ocular neurodegeneration and/or protect against glaucomatous retinopathy is described. The preferred HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which are statins having an RI value of 0.2 to 0.7 (e.g., pravastatin), are administered via topical application to the affected eye(s) of the patient.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression in ocular disorders involving CTGF expression. Ocular disorders involving aberrant CTGF expression include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and wound healing. Such disorders are treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression in ocular disorders involving CTGF expression. Ocular disorders involving aberrant CTGF expression include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and wound healing. Such disorders are treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: Antagonists of cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-II receptor are provided for attenuation of CTGF signaling in a method of down-regulation of receptor signaling and downstream decreased signaling of connective tissue growth factor in ocular disorders involving inappropriate CTGF signaling. Ocular disorders involving inappropriate CTGF signaling include ocular hypertension, glaucoma, glaucomatous retinopathy, optic neuropathy, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy, for example. Such disorders are treated by administering antagonists of the present invention.

Abstract: Antagonists of S1P3 (Edg-3) receptors are provided for attenuation of Smad signaling in a method of down-regulation of receptor signaling and downstream decreased production of connective tissue growth factor in ocular disorders involving CTGF accumulation. Ocular disorders involving inappropriate CTGF accumulation include ocular hypertension, glaucoma, glaucomatous retinopathy, optic neuropathy, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and ocular wound healing, for example. Such disorders are treated by administering antagonists of the present invention.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF?) by silencing TNF? cell surface receptor TNF receptor-1 (TNFR1) mRNA expression, or by silencing TNF? converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17) mRNA expression. Silencing such TNF? targets, in particular, is useful for treating patients having a TNF?-related condition or at risk of developing a TNF?-related condition such as the ocular conditions dry eye, allergic conjunctivitis, or ocular inflammation, or such as dermatitis, rhinitis, or asthma, for example.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one embodiment a method for treating glaucoma or elevated IOP in a patient comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition comprising an agent that modulates PAI-1 activity. In a preferred embodiment, the agent that modulates PAI-1 expression and/or activity is cilostazol or an analog or metabolite of cilostazol.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one embodiment a method of treating glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising at least one prenyltransferase inhibitor. In another embodiment, the invention concerns a composition for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of a prenyltransferase inhibitor.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression in ocular disorders involving CTGF expression. Ocular disorders involving aberrant CTGF expression include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and wound healing. Such disorders are treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of ocular hypertension target mRNA expression for lowering elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension targets include carbonic anhydrase II, IV, and XII; ?1- and ?2 adrenergic receptors; acetylcholinesterase; Na+/K+-ATPase; and Na—K—2Cl cotransporter. Ocular hypertension is treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression in ocular disorders involving CTGF expression. Ocular disorders involving aberrant CTGF expression include glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and wound healing. Such disorders are treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of ocular hypertension target mRNA expression for lowering elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension targets include carbonic anhydrase II, IV, and XII; ?1- and ?2 adrenergic receptors; acetylcholinesterase; Na+/K+-ATPase; and Na—K-2Cl cotransporter. Ocular hypertension is treated by administering interfering RNAs of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one embodiment a method for treating glaucoma or elevated IOP in a patient comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition comprising an agent that inhibits PAI-1 expression or PAI-1 activity. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of treating a PAI-1-associated ocular disorder in a subject in need, comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition comprising an agent that inhibits PAI-1 activity or expression.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one embodiment a method of treating glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a composition comprising a Complement C1q inhibitor. In another embodiment, the invention concerns a composition for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure and glaucoma, the composition comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of a Complement C1q inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for delivering interfering RNA molecules to an eye of a patient to treat ocular disorders. In particular, the methods of the invention comprise the use of a self-complementary adeno-associated (scAAV) viral vector that can deliver an interfering RNA molecule to an eye of a patient to inhibit expression of a gene that is associated with an ocular disorder.