Use of prostacyclin antagonists for treating ocular surface nociception

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the use of compositions and methods for treating nociceptive events that occur on the ocular surface in association with dryness, injury, environmental pollutants, and infectious and non-infectious diseases. Specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of certain compounds for treating for treating ocular pain or ocular discomfort.

1 ) A method of treating ocular nociception in a patient comprising administering to at least one eye of the patient the following compound: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         2 ) The method of  claim 1  including the compound's pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 
     
     
         3 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the compound is administered in an ophthalmologically acceptable composition to one or both eyes of the patient. 
     
     
         4 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein the ophthalmologically acceptable composition is one selected from the group consisting of a solution, an emulsion, a dispersion, a suspension, an ointment and a gel. 
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the method results in a significant reduction of ocular nociception. 
     
     
         6 ) The method of  claim 5  wherein the ocular nociception is associated with the ocular surface. 
     
     
         7 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the compound interacts with prostanoid IP receptors. 
     
     
         8 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the ocular nociception is produced by one selected from the group consisting of environmentally or disease induced dry eye, ocular surface injury, ulceration, infection, allergy, environmental pollution, infection and eye surgery. 
     
     
         9 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the compound interacts with platelet activating factor (PAF) receptors. 
     
     
         10 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the ocular nociception is one selected from the group consisting of ocular discomfort and ocular pain. 
     
     
         11 ) A method of relieving ocular pain or ocular discomfort comprising administering to the eyes of the patient a compound selected from the group consisting of: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 
     
     
         12 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein the compound is administered in an ophthalmologically acceptable composition. 
     
     
         13 ) The method of  claim 12  wherein the ophthalmologically acceptable composition is one selected from the group consisting of a solution, an emulsion, a dispersion, a suspension, an ointment and a gel. 
     
     
         14 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein the ophthalmologically acceptable composition is an ocular implant. 
     
     
         15 ) The method of  claim 13  wherein the method results in a significant reduction of ocular pain or ocular discomfort. 
     
     
         16 ) The method of  claim 12  wherein the ocular pain or ocular discomfort is associated with the ocular surface. 
     
     
         17 ) The method of  claim 16  wherein the compound interacts with prostanoid IP receptors. 
     
     
         18 ) The method of  claim 17  wherein the ocular pain or ocular discomfort is produced by one selected from the group consisting of environmentally or disease induced dry eye, ocular surface injury, ulceration, infection, allergy, environmental pollution, infection, and surgery. 
     
     
         19 ) The method of  claim 11  for treating ocular pain or ocular discomfort by combining an IP receptor antagonist with an ocular surface lubricating agent such as polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, castor oil and glycerol. 
     
     
         20 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein a prostanoid IP antagonist is combined with cyclosporine or a cyclosporine analog thereof for the treatment of dry eye disease. 
     
     
         21 ) The method of  claim 11  wherein a prostanoid IP receptor antagonist is combined with an antihistamine for treating allergic conjunctivitis.