Ophthalmic lipophilic drug delivery vehicle formulations

1. An ophthalmic drug delivery composition comprising:

a. an ophthalmic drug;

b. from 2% to 12% w/v of one or more nonionic surfactants selected from polysorbate 80, poloxamer 407, 2-hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyl 40 dehydrogenated castor oil, or polyoxyl 35 castor oil;

c. one or more non-Newtonian high blend viscosity enhancing, non-gelling agents selected from 0.5% to 0.8% w/v carboxymethyl cellulose (1%=2,500 cps at 27° C.), from 0.5% to 0.8% w/v hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (2%=2,653-4,719 cps at 27° C. Dow Chemical Methocel F4M Premium), from 1.4% to 1.7% w/v hydroxypropyl cellulose (1%=2,900 cps) or a combination thereof; and

d. from 0.10% to 0.90% w/v NaCl, such that:

i. final composition viscosity at shear rates representative of a non-blinking eye is between 50 and 100 cps;

ii. final composition viscosity at shear rates representative of a blinking eye of less than 30 cps but remaining above 5 cps, even after 30% dilution; and

iii. a final composition ratio of i./ii. of 3:1 or greater,

wherein w/v denotes weight by volume.

2. An ophthalmic drug delivery composition comprising cyclosporin-A, from 4% to 7% w/v poloxamer, 0.75% w/v high blend carboxymethyl cellulose and from 0.1% to 0.9% w/v sodium chloride, wherein w/v denotes weight by volume.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the nonioinic surfactant is from 5% to 6% w/v poloxamer 407, and wherein the one or more non-Newtonian high blend viscosity enhancing, non-gelling agents is 0.75% w/v carboxymethyl cellulose (1%=2,500 cps at 27° C.) and wherein the sodium chloride is at a concentration of 0.25% w/v.

4. A therapeutic ophthalmic composition comprising 2% w/v cyclosporin-A, from 5% to 6% w/v poloxamer, 0.75% w/v high blend carboxymethyl cellulose and from 0.1% to 0.9% w/v sodium chloride wherein w/v denotes weight by volume.

5. A method for the treatment of ocular surface disease, selected from the group consisting of blepharitis, dry eye due to reduced tear breakup, dry eye due to reduced tear volume, corneal superficial punctate keratitis, corneal epithelial defect, and epithelial basement membrane disease, the method comprising administering to a patient in need a composition of claim 1 .

6. The composition of claim 4 , wherein poloxamer 407 is at a concentration of 5.5% w/v and wherein sodium chloride is at a concentration of 0.25% w/v.

7. The composition of claim 6 , further comprising 0.02% w/v benzalkonium chloride.