Compositions and methods for localized therapy of the eye

Abstract

Compositions, and methods of using such compositions, useful for injection into the posterior segments of human or animal eyes are provided. Such compositions include small particles of a poorly soluble therapeutic agent that facilitates formation of concentrated regions of the therapeutic agent in the retinal pigmented epithelium of an eye. The particles are formed by combining a therapeutic agent with an ophthalmically acceptable polymer component. The particles have sizes less than about 3000 nanometers, and in some cases, less than about 200 nanometers. One example of composition includes particles of triamcinolone acetonide and hyaluronic acid have a size less than about 3000 nanometers.

1 .- 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A method for treating the posterior of the eye, the method comprising administering to the eye of a patient in need of such a composition comprising:
 a population of particles including triamcinolone acetonide having an effective average particle size less than 3000 nanometers;   sodium hyaluronate in an amount between about 1% to about 4% (w/v) of the composition;   sodium chloride;   a phosphate buffer; and   water.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the composition is administered by intravitreal, subconjuctival, sub-tenon, retrobulbar, or suprachoroidal injection. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the patient has a disease of the posterior of the eye selected from non-exudative age related macular degeneration, exudative age related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy, acute macular neuroretinopathy, retinitis, central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, choroidal macular edema, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic macular retinopathy. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the population of particles has an effective average particle size less than 500 nanometers. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the population of particles has an effective average particle size less than 200 nanometers. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the particles are sized to be distributed in the eye to reduce toxicity associated with the triamcinolone acetonide in an anterior tissue of the eye. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the particles are sized to form one or more concentrated regions of triamcinolone acetonide in the retinal pigment epithelium of an eye.