Methods for treating retinopathy with extended therapeutic effect

Abstract

Methods for treating and preventing retinopathic conditions by administering a glucocorticoid to the vitreous chamber of a patient at risk of, or suffering from, the retinopathy.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for treating an ocular condition, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) inserting an implant into an ocular site of a patient with an ocular condition, the implant comprising an active agent and a carrier associated with the active agent;   b) releasing substantially all of the active agent from the implant; and   c) obtaining an improvement in the ocular condition at a time when a therapeutic amount of the active agent is not present at the ocular site;   wherein the active agent is ketorolac and the carrier is a bioerodible polymer.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the ocular condition is an inflammatory condition. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the ocular condition is macular edema. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the ocular site is the vitreous of the eye. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the ocular site is the vitreous of the eye. 
     
     
         38 . The method of claim of  claim 34 , wherein the implant is formed by an extrusion method. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the total weight of the implant is between about 100 μg and about 2 mg. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the active agent comprises from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the implant. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the active agent comprises from about 40% to about 80% by weight of the implant.