Extended release biodegradable ocular implants

1. An extended release solid extruded bioerodible implant for treating an ocular condition in a subject, the implant made by a method comprising the steps of:

(a) blending an active agent with a first bioerodible polymer;

(b) extruding the blend of step (a) to form a filament;

(c) breaking the extruded filament of step (b) into particles with a size of between about 30 μm and about 50 μm;

(d) blending additional quantities of the active agent with a second bioerodible polymer;

(e) mixing the particles of step (c) with the blend of step (d):

(f) extruding the mixture of step (e) to form a filament; and

(g) cutting the filament of step (f) to form an extended release bioerodible implant for insertion into an ocular region or site of the subject;

wherein the active agent is dexamethasone;

the first bioerodible polymer is R203, which is a poly(D,L-lactide) having a molecular weight of about 14,000; and

the second bioerodible polymer is selected from the group consisting of RG502, which is a poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) having a molecular weight of about 11,700 and a lactide:glycolide content of about 50:50 by weight, and RG502H, which is a poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) having a molecular weight of about 8,500, a lactide:glycolide content of about 50:50 by weight, and a free acid at the end of the polymer chain.

2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant formed in step (g) has a diameter of about 0.05 mm to about 3 mm and a length of about 0.5 to about 10 mm.

3. The implant of claim 1 , which when administered into the ocular region or site of the subject, releases a therapeutic level of the therapeutic agent into the ocular region or site for a period of time of between about 30 days and about 1 year.