Method to prevent and treat macular degeneration by calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers

Abstract

A method is provided to prevent and to treat Macular Degeneration by using Calcium Channel Blockers, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), and more particularly, to a method to prevent and treat Macular Degeneration by using Calcium Channel Blockers, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers that are not taken orally, but administered by ophthalmic preparation directly onto or into the eye where Macular Degeneration is formed, to increase the capillary network and blood supply to the retinal macula.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method to prevent retinal damage in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
 topically administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 at least one vasodilator; and 
 at least one pharmaceutically excipient to a patient in need thereof. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein topically administering the pharmaceutical composition prevents a lesion from forming. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is administered once a day, optionally two or more times a day, optionally once a week, optionally two or more times a week, optionally once a month, optionally two or more times a month, optionally a plurality of times a year. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition comprises gels, drops, sprays, liquids, ointments, creams, emulsions or aerosols. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one vasodilator is an ACE inhibitor. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a carrier selected from cyclosiloxane or linear silicone. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more of a diluent, an excipient, a wetting or emulsifying agent, a pH buffering agent, a gelling or viscosity enhancing additive, a preservative, a scenting agent, or a coloring agent. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one vasodilator is a calcium channel blocker. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the calcium channel blocker is selected from the group consisting of nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, clevidipine, verapamil, and diltiazem. 
     
     
         31 . A method to treat a damaged macula in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
 topically administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 at least one vasodilator; and 
 at least one pharmaceutically excipient to a patient in need thereof, 
 thereby increasing the blood supply and the capillary network to the macula. 
   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein topically administering the pharmaceutical composition prevents a lesion from forming on the macula. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered once a day, optionally two or more times a day, optionally once a week, optionally two or more times a week, optionally once a month, optionally two or more times a month, optionally a plurality of times a year. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises gels, drops, sprays, liquids, ointments, creams, emulsions or aerosols. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one vasodilator is an ACE inhibitor. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises one or more of a diluent, an excipient, a wetting or emulsifying agent, a pH buffering agent, a gelling or viscosity enhancing additive, a preservative, a scenting agent, or a coloring agent. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one vasodilator is a calcium channel blocker. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the calcium channel blocker is selected from the group consisting of nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nisoldipine, clevidipine, verapamil, and diltiazem. 
     
     
         40 . A method to increase blood supply and capillary network to the macula in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
 topically administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutically compositing comprising:
 at least one vasodilator; and 
 at least one pharmaceutically excipient to a patient in need thereof.