Manufacture of carotenoid compositions

A process for the treatment of excess intraocular pressure comprising:

• extracting carotenoids from capsicum annum fruits using a solvent or solvents;
• enriching the carotenoids using super critical fluid extraction;
• hydrolyzing the carotenoids;
• and
• purifying the carotenoids using counter current extractions such that the composition includes capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%, zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%, and cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%;
• supplying the carotenoids for a subject to increase fluid outflow and thereby lowering symptomatic intraocular pressure associated with normal tension glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, or angle closure glaucoma in the subject.

A process for lowering intraocular pressure comprising:

• supplying for a subject an effective amount of a Capsicum annum extract composition comprising:
• capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%;
• zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%;
• and
• cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%,
• wherein the Capsicum annum extract composition is produced by a process comprising:
• at least one step of extracting carotenoids from Capsicum annum fruits using an organic extraction solvent;
• and
• at least one step of enriching the extracted carotenoids by extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide;
• wherein the effective amount is effective to reduce intraocular pressure in a subject.

A process comprising:

• supplying for a subject an effective amount of a Capsicum annum extract comprising:
• capsanthin in the range from 50% to 80%;
• zeaxanthin in the range from 5% to 15%;
• and
• cryptoxanthin in the range from 1% to 5%;
• along with at least one excipient;
• wherein the effective amount is effective to reduce intraocular pressure in the subject.