Transscleral delivery

Abstract

Diseases associated with the tissues in the posterior segment of the eye can be effectively treated by administering therapeutic agents transsclerally to those tissues. Compositions, devices, and methods for delivering therapeutic agents so that they cross the sclera and reach these tissues include injecting solutions or suspensions adjacent to or within the sclera and implanting solid structures containing the therapeutic agent adjacent to or within the sclera. These methods may be used for administering rapamycin or related compounds to treat choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration.

1 . A method for treating uveitis in a human, the method comprising administering transsclerally to an eye of the human an amount of rapamycin effective to treat uveitis, wherein the rapamycin is contained in a composition that is administered transsclerally by injection within or proximate to a sclera of the eye. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a liquid formulation. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid formulation comprises a suspension of particles of rapamycin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the particles of rapamycin have an average diameter of less than about 50 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid formulation comprises rapamycin dissolved in a solvent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the liquid formulation delivers the rapamycin transsclerally in an amount sufficient to maintain an amount effective to treat uveitis for an extended period of time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the liquid formulation delivers the rapamycin transsclerally in an amount sufficient to treat uveitis for at least about three weeks. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 ,  claim 3 , or  claim 5 , wherein the rapamycin is administered transsclerally to the eye by subconjunctival or subtenon injection of the liquid formulation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the rapamycin is administered transsclerally to the eye by subconjunctival injection of the liquid formulation. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating uveitis in a human, comprising administering a composition to an eye of the human by subconjunctival or subtenon injection of the composition, wherein the composition comprises an amount of rapamycin effective to treat uveitis. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is a liquid formulation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid formulation comprises a suspension of particles of rapamycin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the liquid formulation comprises rapamycin dissolved in a solvent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  or  claim 13 , wherein the liquid formulation is administered to the eye by subconjunctival injection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 5  or  claim 13 , wherein the solvent comprises polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the solvent further comprises ethanol. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the liquid formulation is administered to the eye by subconjunctival injection. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  or  claim 10 , wherein the uveitis is selected from the group consisting of anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, and diffuse uveitis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the uveitis is posterior uveitis.