METHODS OF TREATING RECURRENT MEIBOMIAN GLANDS DISORDER AND THEREBY DECREASING THE FREQUENCY OF RECURRENCE
A method of treating a recurring meibomian gland disorder in a patient includes administering to a patient suffering from recurring meibomian gland disorder a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid. The method may thereby reduce the frequency of recurrence of the meibomian gland disorder.
1 . Use of a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid for the treatment of recurring meibomian gland disorder in a patient, wherein said composition reduces the frequency of recurrence of the meibomian gland disorder.
2 . The use of the composition of claim 1 wherein previous occurrence or occurrences of meibomian gland disorder were treated with a therapy other than a combination of azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid.
3 . The use of the composition of claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous polymer suspension vehicle comprising a carboxyl-containing polymer having less than about 5% by weight cross-linking agent.
4 . The use of the composition of claim 1 wherein the glucocorticoid is dexamethasone.
5 . The use of the composition of claim 4 wherein the dexamethasone is present at about 0.1% by weight.
6 . The use of the composition of claim 1 wherein the azalide antibiotic is azithromycin.
7 . The use of the composition of claim 6 wherein the azithromycin is present at about 1.0% by weight.
8 . The use of the composition of claim 1 wherein the recurring meibomian gland disorder manifests as blepharitis.
9 . The use of an azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid for the manufacture of a composition for the treatment of recurring meibomian gland disorder in a patient, wherein said composition reduces the frequency of recurrence of the meibomian gland disorder.
10 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 9 wherein previous occurrence or occurrences of meibomian gland disorder were treated with a therapy other than a combination of azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid.
11 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 9 wherein the composition further comprises an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous polymer suspension vehicle comprising a carboxyl-containing polymer having less than about 5% by weight cross-linking agent.
12 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 9 wherein the glucocorticoid is dexamethasone.
13 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 12 wherein the dexamethasone is present at about 0.1% by weight.
14 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 9 wherein the azalide antibiotic is azithromycin.
15 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 14 wherein the azithromycin is present at about 1.0% by weight.
16 . The use of the azalide antibiotic and the glucocorticoid in accordance with claim 9 wherein the recurring meibomian gland disorder manifests as blepharitis.
17 . A method of treating a recurring meibomian gland disorder in a patient, comprising administering to a patient suffering from recurring meibomian gland disorder a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid, thereby reducing the frequency of recurrence of the meibomian gland disorder.
18 . The method of claim 17 wherein previous occurrence or occurrences of meibomian gland disorder were treated with a therapy other than a combination of azalide antibiotic and a glucocorticoid.
19 . The method of claim 17 wherein the composition further comprises an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous polymer suspension vehicle comprising a carboxyl-containing polymer having less than about 5% by weight cross-linking agent
20 . The method of claim 17 wherein the glucocorticoid is dexamethasone.
21 . The method of claim 20 wherein the dexamethasone is present at about 0.1% by weight.
22 . The method of claim 17 wherein the azalide antibiotic is azithromycin.
23 . The method of claim 22 wherein the azithromycin is present at about 1.0% by weight.
24 . The method of claim 17 wherein the recurring meibomian gland disorder manifests as blepharitis.
25 . A kit for treating recurrent meibomian gland disorder and thereby decreasing the frequency of recurrence of said disorder, said kit comprising a composition comprising about 0.1% by weight dexamethasone and about 1.0% by weight azithromycin in an ophthalmically acceptable sustained release vehicle and instructions for using the composition.
26 . A composition for reducing the frequency of recurrence of meibomian gland disorder in a patient comprising about 0.1% by weight dexamethasone and 1.0% by weight azithromycin in an ophthalmically acceptable vehicle comprising a carboxyl-containing polymer having less than about 5% by weight cross-linking agent.