Gamma-polyglutamic acid-based ocular irrigating solutions

Abstract

Ophthalmic irrigating solutions are disclosed. The ophthalmic irrigating solution comprises: a) γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the irrigating solution; and b) an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous vehicle for the γ-PGA and/or salt thereof. Also disclosed is a method of irrigating ocular tissues of a patient, in which the method comprises introducing to the ocular tissues of the patient an ophthalmic irrigating solution comprising γ-PGA) and/or salt thereof in an amount sufficient to irrigate the ocular tissues of the patient.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims the priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 322,738, filed Apr. 9, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to ocular solutions, and more specifically to ocular irrigating solutions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Irrigating solutions are widely used in intraocular surgical procedures, such as phacoemulsification, vitrectomy surgery and glaucoma surgery. Phacoemulsification is a surgery to remove the lens of the eye that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract. Vitrectomy is a surgery to remove some or all of the vitreous humor from an eye. Glaucoma surgery is associated with a laser treatment or making a cut in the eye to reduce the intraocular pressure. In Taiwan, according to a report of National Health Insurance Department, about 150,000 ocular surgical procedures were performed an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Yet in another aspect, the invention relates to a method of reducing stress-induced damage to ocular tissues of a patient during eye surgery. The method comprises introducing to the ocular tissues of the patient during the eye surgery an ophthalmic irrigating solution in an amount sufficient to irrigate the ocular tissues of the patient, in which the irrigating solution comprises: a) γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) and / or salt thereof in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the solution; and b) an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous vehicle for the γ-PGA and / or salt thereof.

Problems solved by technology

An improper irrigating solution may cause damages to cornea or lens, resulting in poor vision, blind spots and even loss of vision.

However, these intraocular irrigating solutions are not effectively enough to protect corneal (endothelial) cells, which are most liable to sustain physical damage in ophthalmic operations.

Studies have indicated that a sophisticated intraocular surgery, such as phacoemulsification, may cause potential complications.

All of these may result in damages to corneal endothelium and even may have the risk of leading to irreversible bullous keratopathy.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies, especially in connection with development of ocular irrigating solutions with an improved functionality to protect intraocular tissues, particularly corneal (endothelial) cells.

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