Ophthalmic compositions and methods for treating ophthalmic conditions

A method of reducing the risk for cataract due to corticosteroid exposure in the eye, the method comprising placing into the interior of the eye of a human or animal an ophthalmic composition comprising a corticosteroid component present in a therapeutically effective amount, carboxymethylcellulose, a biocompatible polymeric component, and an ophthalmically compatible solvent component;

• wherein the ophthalmic composition is administered as a liquid and becomes a semi-solid or gelatinous polymer matrix after placement in the interior of the eye;
• wherein the ophthalmic composition is placed into the interior of the eye by suprachoroidal injection;
• wherein the biocompatible polymeric component is selected from the group consisting of polylactides, polyglycolides, polycaprolactornes, polyanhydrides, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, polydioxanones, polyacetals, polyketals, polycarbonates, polyorthoesters, polyphosphazenes, polyhydroxybutyrates, polyhydroxyvalerates, polyalkylene oxalates, polyalkyene succinates, poly(malic acid), poly(amino acids), poly(methyl vinyl ether), poly(maleic anhydride), polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid/glycolic acid, chitin, chitosan, copolymers thereof, combinations thereof and mixtures thereof;
• and
• wherein the ophthalmically compatible solvent component is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 alkanols, propylene glycol, acetone, alkyl esters such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, alkyl ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, dialkylamides such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfone, tetrahydrofuran, cyclic alkyl amides such as caprolactam, decylmethylsulfoxide, oleic acid, propylene carbonate, aromatic amides such as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, combinations thereof and mixtures thereof.