Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Glaucoma

1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising

i. dexmedetomidine;

ii. 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;

iii. a hypotonic salt or sterile water;

iv. a poloxamer or a polyoxyl alkyl at a concentration from about 2% to about 12% weight by volume; and

v. 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 dexmedetomidine is at a concentration from between about 0.035% to about 0.10% weight by volume.

3 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said salt is 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.

4 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein said salt is sodium chloride.

5 . 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.

6 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 4 , wherein said viscosity enhancer is carboxymethyl cellulose.

7 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein said carboxymethyl cellulose is of a high blend at a concentration of between 0.1% and 1.25% weight by volume.

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

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

10 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 9 , 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.

11 . The pharmaceutical composition of claim 9 , wherein said buffer is at a concentration between 4 millimolar and 10 millimolar.

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

13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

i. dexmedetomidine at a concentration from about 0.0125% to about 0.125% w/v;

ii. polyoxyl 40 stearate at a concentration from about 1% to about 15% w/v;

iii. carboxymethyl cellulose (1%=2,500 centipoise) at a concentration from about 0.10% to about 1.25% w/v;

iv. sodium chloride at a concentration from about 0.25% to about 1.25% w/v;

v. sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at a concentration from about 0.005% to about 0.05% w/v;

vi. benzalkonium chloride at a concentration from about 0.007% to about 0.02% w/v; and

vii. a phosphate buffer at a concentration from about 1 millimolar to about 100 millimolar,

wherein w/v denotes weight by volume, wherein pH of the composition is from about 4.0 to about 8.0 and wherein said pharmaceutical composition is effective for the treatment of glaucoma in a patient in need thereof.

14 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

i. dexmedetomidine at a concentration of about 0.08% w/v;

ii. polyoxyl 40 stearate at a concentration of about 5.5% w/v;

iii. carboxymethyl cellulose (1%=2,500 centipoise) at a concentration of about 0.80% w/v;

iv. sodium chloride at a concentration of about 0.037% w/v;

v. sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at a concentration of about 0.015% w/v;

vi. benzalkonium chloride at a concentration of about 0.02% w/v; and

vii. a phosphate buffer at a concentration of about 5 millimolar,

wherein w/v denotes weight by volume, wherein pH of the composition is about 6.0 and wherein said pharmaceutical composition is effective for the treatment of glaucoma in a patient in need thereof.

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

16 . 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 .