Sustained release intraocular implants and methods for treating ocular neuropathies

Abstract

Biocompatible intraocular implants include a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist and a polymer associated with the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist to facilitate release of the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist into an eye for an extended period of time. The beta adrenergic receptor antagonist may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions, such as an ocular neuropathies, for example, various forms of glaucoma.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of treating glaucoma, comprising the step of placing a biodegradable drug delivery implant comprising: a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix that releases drug at a rate effective to sustain release of an amount of the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist from the implant for a time effective to treat glaucoma in an eye in which the implant is placed, wherein the implant is placed into an ocular region of a patient to provide a therapeutically effective amount of the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist to the eye of the patient for a period of at least one week, thereby treating the glaucoma. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist is selected from the group consisting of timolol, bexatol, levobunolol, carteolol, metiprenolol, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist is timolol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist is timolol maleate. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist is provided in an amount of from 10% to 26% by weight of the implant. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the biodegradable polymer matrix comprises poly(D,L lactide). 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the biodegradable polymer matrix comprise a mixture of different biodegradable polymers, each biodegradable polymer having an inherent viscosity in the range of about 0.3 deciliters/gram to about 1.0 deciliters/gram as determined in 0.1% chloroform at 25° C. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the ocular region of the patient where the implant is placed is the anterior chamber of the eye. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the beta adrenergic antagonist is dispersed within the biodegradable polymer matrix. 
     
     
         39 . A method of treating glaucoma, comprising the step of placing a biodegradable drug delivery implant comprising: a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix that releases drug at a rate effective to sustain release of an amount of the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist from the implant for a time effective to treat glaucoma in an eye in which the implant is placed, wherein the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist is timolol maleate and the biodegradable polymer matrix comprises poly(D,L lactide) and wherein the timolol maleate is dispersed within the poly(D,L lactide) polymer matrix, and wherein the implant is placed into an ocular region of a patient to provide a therapeutically effective amount of the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist to the eye of the patient for a period of at least one week, thereby treating the glaucoma.