Sustained release intraocular implants and methods for treating ocular vasculopathies

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 may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions, such as an ocular vasculopathy or glaucoma, among others.

1 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A method of treating non-exudative age related macular degeneration in an eye of a patient, comprising the step of placing a solid extruded biodegradable intraocular implant in an eye of the patient to provide a therapeutically effective amount of an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist to the patient for at least about one week, wherein the implant comprises the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix that releases alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist at a rate effective to sustain release of an amount of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist from the implant for a time effective to treat non-exudative age related macular degeneration in the eye in which the implant is placed, and wherein the polymer matrix comprises two different polylactide polymers. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is selected from the group consisting of brimonidine tartrate and brimonidine free base. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the implant is placed in the vitreous cavity of the eye. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the implant is placed in the eye with a trocar. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the implant is injected into the eye with a syringe.