COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising

i. an α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist at a concentration from between about 0.0125% to about 0.125% weight by volume, wherein said α-2 adrenergic receptor has a Log P value of 2.0 or greater and has a binding affinity of 950 fold or greater for α-2 over α-1 adrenergic receptors;

ii. a hypotonic salt or sterile water;

iii. a poloxamer at a concentration of 12% weight by volume or less; and

iv. a viscosity enhancer,

wherein said pharmaceutical composition has a viscosity of between 25 and 500 cps, and

wherein said pharmaceutical composition is effective for the treatment of glaucoma in a patient in need thereof.

2 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist is dexmedetomidine.

3 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said dexmedetomidine is at a concentration from between about 0.035% to 0.10% weight by volume.

4 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, citrate, mesylate, hydrobromide/bromide, acetate, fumarate, sulfate/bisulfate, succinate, phosphate, maleate, nitrate, tartrate, benzoate, carbonate, and pamoate.

5 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3 , wherein said salt is sodium chloride.

6 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said viscosity enhancer is selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, dextran, povidone, alginic acid, guar gum, acacia, veegum, gelatin, chitosan, carbopol, locust bean gum, acidic polycarbophil, dextran, pectin, povidone, polyvinylpyrridone, polyvinyl alcohol, and hyaluronic acid.

7 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 5 , wherein said viscosity enhancer is carboxymethyl cellulose.

8 . The composition of claim 7 , wherein said carboxymethyl cellulose is of a high blend at a concentration of between 0.1% and 1.25%.

9 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said poloxamer is present at concentration range of 5% to 6% by weight.

10 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , further comprising a buffer.

11 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 10 , wherein said buffer is selected from the group consisting of citrate buffer, borate buffer, maleate buffer, succinate buffer, phosphate buffer, acetate buffer, sorbate buffer and carbonate buffer.

12 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11 , wherein said buffer is at a concentration between 4 mM and 10 mM.

13 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said pharmaceutical composition has an octanol-water partition coefficient Log D of between about 0.70 and about 3.08.

14 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , further comprising a mucoadhesive selected from the group consisting of carbapols, xanthan gums, and cellulose derivatives.

15 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

i. dexmedetomidine at a concentration from between 0.02% and about 0.12% weight by volume;

ii. sodium chloride at a concentration of 0.25% to 0.50%;

iii. a poloxamer at a concentration of 12% weight by volume or less;

iv. carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and

wherein said pharmaceutical composition has a viscosity of between 50 and 200 cps, and

wherein said pharmaceutical composition is effective for the treatment of glaucoma in a patient in need thereof.

16 . A method of treating glaucoma in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 .

17 . A method of treating posterior pole ocular neurodegenerative conditions in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 .

18 . A method of treating dry eye or other ocular condition comprising administering to said patient the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 .

19 . A pharmaceutical vehicle for a topical drug delivery, wherein said vehicle comprises:

i. a hypotonic salt or sterile water;

ii. a poloxamer at a concentration of 12% weight by volume or less;

iii. a viscosity enhancer, and

iv. an active agent

wherein said pharmaceutical composition has a viscosity of between 25 and 500 cps.

20 . The pharmaceutical vehicle of claim 19 , wherein said active agent is selected from the group consisting of non-steroidal agents, steroidal agents, prostaglandins, prostanoids, α-1 antagonists, anti-viral drugs, anti-microbial drugs, anti-fungal drugs and anti-VEGF drugs.

21 . An artificial tear solution comprising:

i. a hypotonic salt or sterile water;

ii. a poloxamer at a concentration of 12% weight by volume or less; and

iii. a viscosity enhancer, and

wherein said artificial tear solution has a viscosity of between 25 and 500 cps.

22 . A method of enhancing eye whiteness and/or reducing eye redness in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to said subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 .