Stimulation of tear secretion with melanocyte stimulating hormones
AssigneeEye Research Institute of Retina Foundation
InventorsJeffrey P. Gilbard, Darlene A. Dartt
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Abstract
A method and preparation for the stimulation of tear secretion. The method involves topically applying to the ocular surface melanocyte stimulating hormones, and their active precursors, derivatives, and fragments which activate melanotropin receptors of lacrimal gland tissue. The preparation contains a melanocyte stimulating hormone, and a vehicle for a melanocyte stimulating hormone and may also contain an ophthalmic preservative.
Claims7
A sterile preparation adapted for topical administration to the eye comprising:
- an effective amount of a compound which activates the melanotropin receptors in said accessory lacrimal gland selected from a group consisting of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, beta-melanocyte stimulating hormone, gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone, and their active precursors, analogs, and derivatives;
- and
- a physiologically compatible vehicle selected from a group consisting of aqueous electrolyte solutions, polyethers, polyvinyls, polymers of acrylic acid, lanolin, glucosaminoglycans;
- whereby said preparation promotes fluid secretion from said accessory lacrimal glad without affecting the main lacrimal gland.
A method of stimulating in vivo fluid secretion from human accessory lacrimal glands comprising the step of topical administration to the ocular surface of an effective amount of a preparation which includes a compound that activates the melanotropin receptors in said accessory lacrimal glands selected from a group consisting of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, beta-melanocyte stimulating hormone, gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone, and their active precursors, analogs, and derivatives.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.