The present invention relates to a
delivery system for
ophthalmic drugs, and more particularly, to a non aqueous oil
delivery system. Low concentrations of
ophthalmic drugs suspended in an oil vehicle
delivery system are as therapeutically effective in man and animals as the corresponding higher concentrations of
ophthalmic drugs that are commercially used in aqueous solutions. Eye drops that utilize this nonaqueous oil delivery
system, when used in man, are comfortable to use and produce little
ocular irritation, have a longer shelf-life, low systemic toxic potential, and only short term blurring of vision. Using this nonaqueous oil delivery
system, a single drop of
ophthalmic drug with a concentration that is 10 times less than the same
drug used in commercially available aqueous eye drops is as effective as the commercially available aqueous ophthalmic eye drops that require many applications to be effective. In addition, utilizing the nonaqueous oil delivery
system as eye drops produces no ocular
sensation of burning, stinging or excessive tearing that is commonly associated with the commercially available aqueous eye drops. This very dilute
ophthalmic drug preparation has a greatly reduced
systemic toxicity potential as compared to the commercially used aqueous ophthalmic drops. The vehicle includes
castor oil,
corn oil,
glycerol,
mineral oil USP,
vegetable oil,
white petrolatum USP, and mixtures, there of. The ophthalmic class of drugs includes antimicrobials, miotics, mydriatics, mydriatic-cycloplegics, mydriatic-cycloplegic reversal agents and topical anesthetics.