Use of non-feminizing estrogens as retinoprotective agents for the treatment of glaucoma

Abstract

The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing non-feminizing estrogen and methods of using these compositions to prevent or ameliorate retinal and optic nerve damage associated with glaucoma.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for treating glaucoma-related retina or optic nerve damage in a patient, said method comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising at least one non-feminizing estrogen compound or an analog thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said glaucoma is primary open angled glaucoma.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said glaucoma is normal-tension glaucoma (also known as low-tension glaucoma).  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-feminizing estrogen compound is a polycyclic compound comprising at least a first ring and a second ring and having a terminal phenolic group wherein said polycyclic compound has a molecular mass of less than 1000 Daltons.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-feminizing estrogen compound is selected from the group consisting of estratriene-3-ol, 3,17α-estradiol, estrone, estriol, and their analogs.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-feminizing estrogen is administered concurrently or sequentially with one or more IOP-lowering pharmaceutical agents.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-feminizing estrogen is administered concurrently or sequentially with one or more IOP-lowering surgical procedures.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-feminizing estrogen is administered concurrently or sequentially with one or more retinoprotective agents.