The use of substances for the treatment of loss of eyesight in humans with glaucoma and other degenerative eye diseases

Abstract

Methods for the prevention and treatment of ocular disorders, in particular glaucoma, through blocking the toxic effects of β-amyloid (Aβ) derivatives, and pharmaceutical compositions for effecting such prevention and treatment thereof.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of preventing and/or treating an optical condition associated with β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity, comprising the step of administering to a living animal, including a human, a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide comprising amino acid sequence X-Y or Y-X, wherein X is an aromatic amino acid and Y is one or more additional amino acid other than glycine, the peptide having at least 2 amino acid residues and less than 15 amino acid residues, thereby inhibiting Aβ formation and/or the occurrence of said Aβ, which is effective for alleviation of the condition. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the optical condition associated with β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity is selected from primary angle-closure glaucoma, secondary open-angle glaucoma, wide-angle glaucoma, steroid-induced glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma, pigmentary dispersion syndrome, pseudo exfoliation syndrome, secondary angle-closure glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, uveitis and glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, degenerative optic neuropathy, and eye pathologies characterized by a progressive loss of vision leading finally to blindness. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the peptide comprising amino acid sequence X-Y or Y-X, wherein X is an aromatic amino acid and Y is one or more additional amino acid other than glycine, the peptide having at least 2 amino acid residues and less than 15 amino acid residues, is co-administered to the living animal in combination with at least one additional pharmaceutical agent for treating the optical condition, wherein the combination of the peptide and the at least one additional pharmaceutical agent is effective in treating the condition. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one additional pharmaceutical agent is selected from anti-glaucoma drugs, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, anti-allergic drugs and artificial tear fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one additional pharmaceutical agent is selected from acetazolamide, diclofenamide, carteolol, timolol, metipranolol, betaxolol, pindolol, levobunolol, brimonidine, clonidine, pilocarpine, carbachol, dipivefrine, apraclonidine, brinzolamide, dorzolaminde, bimatoprost, travaprost, latanoprost, chlortetracycline, ciprofloxacine, ofloxacine, fusidinic acid, gentamicine, kanamycine, levofloxacine, lomefloxacine, oxytetracycline, natamycine, azidamfenicole, chloramphenicole, tobramycine, erythromycine, polymyxin-B, acaclovir, trifluridine, betamethasone, dexamethasone, fluorometholone, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, rimexolone, cromoglicate, azelastine, lodoxamide, emedastine, nedocromile, levocabastine, olopatadinea, ketotifene, hypromellose, carbomere, hyaluronate, carmellose, hypromellose, povidone, hyetellose, polivinylalcohole, dexpanthenole, tetryzoline, troxerutine, tramazoline, naphazoline, xylometazoline, phenylephrine and antazoline. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the peptide is administered once a day, twice a day or three times a day. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the peptide is administered chronically. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the peptide is administered in the form of eye drops, eye creams, and intraocular depot formulations. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the peptide is administered in an immediate or modified release formulation. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the peptide and the at least one additional pharmaceutical agent are administered conjointly. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the peptide and the at least one additional pharmaceutical agent are administered in a single formulation. 
     
     
         31 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide of  claim 20 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt thereof, alone or in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients. 
     
     
         32 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide of  claim 20 , or a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt thereof, and at least one additional pharmaceutical agent, and, optionally, one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients.