Amelioration of cataracts, macular degeneration and other ophthalmic diseases

1. A method of treating macular degeneration, retinopathy, glaucoma, conjunctival diseases, eyelid disorders, corneal disease or uveitis in a patient, the method comprising topically administering to the eye of such patient a composition comprising an ophthalmically acceptable carrier or diluent containing at least one compound having the formula:

where R 1 and R 2 are, independently, H or C 1 to C 3 alkyl;

R 3 and R 4 are, independently C 1 to C 3 alkyl; and

where R 1 and R 2 , taken together, or R 3 and R 4 , taken together, or both may be cycloalkyl;

R 5 is H, OH, or C 1 to C 6 alkyl;

R 6 is or C 1 to C 6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl;

R 7 is C 1 to C 6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl

or where R 6 and R 7 , or R 5 , R 6 and R 7 , taken together, form a carbocycle or heterocycle having from 3 to 7 atoms in the ring.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 are a C 1 -C 3 alkyl.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 are ethyl groups.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 are methyl groups.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein:

each of R 5 is H or methyl,

R 6 , is methyl substituted with benzyloxy or C 1 -C 6 alkoxy; and

R 7 is methyl.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein:

each of R 5 is H or methyl,

R 6 and R 7 form a cyclopropyl group.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein:

R 5 , R 6 and R 7 form a furanyl group.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein:

R 5 is H; and

R 6 and R 7 form a tetrahydrofuranyl group.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein:

R 5 is H; and

R 6 and R 7 form a cyclopropyl ring.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administration is via eye drops, eye wash or eye ointment.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising administering a reducing agent to the patient.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the reducing agent is coadministered with the composition.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the reducing agent is administered separately from the composition.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the reducing agent is a sulfhydryl compound.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising coadministering mercaptopropionyl glycine, N-acetyl cysteine, β-mercaptoethylamine, or glutathione to the patient.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the reducing agent is administered via eye drops, eye wash or ophthalmic ointment.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is administered to achieve a concentration in the tissues and fluids of about 0.1 μM to about 10 mM.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is administered to achieve a concentration in the tissues and fluids of about 1 μM to about 5 mM.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is administered to achieve a concentration in the tissues and fluids of about 25 μM to about 1 mM.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said compound is administered to achieve a concentration in the tissues and fluids of about 50 μM to about 100 μM.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein said disease or disorder is blepharitis.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein said disease or disorder is ocular rosacea.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein said disease or disorder is macular degeneration.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein said disease or disorder is retinopathy.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein said disease or disorder is glaucoma.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises a second compound used to treat said macular degeneration, retinopathy, glaucoma, conjunctival diseases, eyelid disorders, corneal disease or uveitis.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said second compound is administered simultaneously.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said second compound is administered sequentially.