HYDROGEL IMPLANTS FOR LOWERING INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

1 . A sustained release biodegradable intracameral hydrogel implant comprising travoprost and a polymer network.

2 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of polyethylene glycol (PEG) units.

3 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of multi-arm PEG units having from 2 to 10 arms.

4 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of multi-arm PEG units having from 4 to 10 arms.

5 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of multi-arm PEG units having from 4 to 8 arms.

6 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of multi-arm PEG units having 8 arms.

7 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of multi-arm PEG units having 4 arms.

8 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network comprises a plurality of multi-arm PEG units having the formula:

wherein n represents an ethylene oxide repeating unit and the wavy lines represent the points of repeating units of the polymer network.

9 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network is formed by reacting a plurality of polyethylene glycol (PEG) units selected from 4a20K PEG SAZ, 4a20K PEG SAP, 4a20K PEG SG, 4a20K PEG SS, 8a20K PEG SAZ, 8a20K PEG SAP, 8a20K PEG SG, 8a20K PEG SS with one or more PEG or Lysine based-amine groups selected from 4a20K PEG NH2, 8a20K PEG NH2, and trilysine, or a salt thereof.

10 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network is formed by reacting 8a15K PEG-SAZ with trilysine or a salt thereof.

11 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network is amorphous.

12 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer network is semi-crystalline.

13 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is homogenously dispersed within the polymer network.

14 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is delivered to the eye in a sustained manner for a period ranging from about 2 to about 8 months.

15 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is delivered to the eye in a sustained manner for a period ranging from about 3 to about 7 months.

16 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is delivered to the eye in a sustained manner for a period ranging from about 4 to about 6 months.

17 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein sustained release occurs in the aqueous humor.

18 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is microencapsulated.

19 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is microencapsulated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or poly(lactic acid) (PLA), or a combination thereof.

20 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the travoprost is microencapsulated with PLA.

21 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the polymer networks is conjugated to fluorescein.

22 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant is designed for implantation near the corneal endothelial cells.

23 . The hydrogel implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant is designed for implantation in the inferior iridocorneal angle.

24 . A method of lowering ocular pressure in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the hydrogel implant of claim 1 to the eye of a subject.

25 . A method of treating ocular hypertension in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the hydrogel implant of claim 1 to the eye of a subject.

26 . A method of treating glaucoma in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the hydrogel implant of claim 1 to the eye of a subject.

27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the glaucoma is open angle glaucoma.

28 . The method of claim 24 , wherein essentially no endothelial damage occurs following administration of a disclosed implant.