Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for injecting an agent into a tissue, particularly into thin tissues such as the sclera of the eye. The invention provides an apparatus and method for effectively imbedding a needle into a tissue at a predetermined penetration approach angle and penetration distance thereby reducing the risk of penetrating the full thickness of the tissue. The invention includes a support element and a needle guide platform disposed on the support element with an external support surface and a channel extending therethrough and terminating in an aperture at the support surface. A needle disposed in the channel is axially movable along an axis of injection through the channel. The needle is movable from a first retracted position to an extended position corresponding to the penetration distance, along the axis of injection.

Abstract: The topical application of an azalide antibiotic such as azithromycin to the eye is useful in treating or preventing ocular infections. In one embodiment, the azalide antibiotic is supplied to the eye in a depot for sustained release. A more convenient dosing regimen can also be provided by the use of an appropriate depot. Furthermore, a composition containing a combination of medicaments is also provided.

Abstract: An ophthalmic composition that provides sustained release of a water soluble medicament is formed comprising a crosslinked carboxy-containing polymer, a medicament, a sugar and water. The composition has a pH of at least 6.7 but a viscosity of from about 1000 to 5000 cps.

Abstract: Ophthalmic methods and compositions are disclosed where particles of the dispersed phase of emulsions are themselves dispersed and stably maintained in physical separation by lightly crosslinked, water swellable polymers present in an aqueous polymeric system formulated for administration to the eye in drop or ribbon form. Medicament is dissolved in that dispersed phase is delivered over a sustained release period.

Abstract: Topical ophthalmic compositions for treatment of the eye are provided which comprise aqueous mixtures of a non-steroidal agent having a pKa, a pH, and a concentration of agent chosen so as to maintain at least a therapeutic amount of the agent in suspension and a therapeutic amount of the agent in solution. A method for treating diseases of the eye, including inflammation, is also provided by topically applying such aqueous mixtures to eyes in need of treatment, whereby the therapeutic amount of the drug in solution has an immediate therapeutic effect at full concentration, and the therapeutic amount of drug in suspension has a delayed therapeutic effect by release from the suspension over a period of time by reason of dissolution kinetics.

Abstract: Ophthalmic methods and compositions are disclosed where particles of the dispersed phase of emulsions are themselves dispersed and stably maintained in physical separation by lightly crosslinked, water swellable polymers present in an aqueous polymeric system formulated for administration to the eye in drop or ribbon form. Medicament is dissolved in that dispersed phase is delivered over a sustained release period.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for stabilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations using effective stabilizing amounts of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers; and methods for stabilizing and solubilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in such pharmaceutical formulations using effective stabilizing amounts of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers and amounts of selected cyclodextrin derivatives sufficient to at least partially solubilize the therapeutic agents. The cyclodextrin derivatives are selected from the group consisting of the hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, glucosyl, maltosyl and maltotriosyl derivatives of .beta.- and .gamma.-cyclodextrin. Stabilized and stabilized/solubilized pharmaceutical compositions adapted for various routes of administration are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for stabilizing amino-substituted steroid therapeutic agents in topical ophthalmic and other pharmaceutical formulations using effective stabilizing amounts of lightly cross-linked carboxy-containing polymers; Stabilized and stabilized/solubilized pharmaceutical compositions adapted for various routes of administration are also described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases or disorders wherein an ophthalmically effective amount of the C.sub.20 through C.sub.26 aminosteroids of formula XI and their pharmaceutical, acceptable salts, hydrates or solvates is administered in an inert vehicle to arrest oxidation processes damaging to the eye.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases or disorders wherein an ophthalmically effective amount of the C.sub.20 through C.sub.26 aminosteroids of formula XI and their pharmaceutical, acceptable salts, hydrates or solvates is administered in an inert vehicle to arrest oxidation processes damaging to the eye.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases or disorders wherein an ophthalmically effective amount of the C.sub.20 through C.sub.26 aminosteroids of formula XI and their pharmaceutical, acceptable salts, hydrates or solvates is administered in an inert vehicle to arrest oxidation processes damaging to the eye.

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: Methods and compositions for preventing or treating ophthalmic diseases or disorders wherein an ophthalmically effective amount of the C.sub.20 through C.sub.26 aminosteroids of formula XI and their pharmaceutical, acceptable salts, hydrates or solvates is administered in an inert vehicle to arrest oxidation processes damaging to the eye.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a soft contact lens, to increase its resistance to the deposition thereon and diffusion and accumulation therein of substances which will promote its clouding and discoloration in use, and to improve its mechanical strength, includes treating a hydroxyl group-containing acrylic ester soft contact lens or replica with an organic acid anhydride for a sufficient period of time to treat at least a portion of polymer molecules on the outer surfaces, e.g. by esterifying hydroxyl groups on the molecules and facilitating extraction of organic-type impurities. The process is optionally performed in the presence of a medium which partially swells the surface regions of the lens or replica prior to or during the process.

Abstract: A contact lens for correction of astigmatism is formed from a single polymeric or copolymeric material. The lens has a central optical zone of greater rigidity than a surrounding non-optical zone. The rigidity of the central optical zone is sufficient for it to retain an astigmatism-correcting shape when worn on an eye, while the surrounding non-optical zone conforms to the shape of the eye.