Method for enhancing healing of corneal endothelial wounds

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Method using a non-steroidal antiinflammatory compound, such as indomethacin, and/or a growth factor that causes a change in cell function when bound to a cell surface receptor, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), to enhance healing and restore function of the corneal endothelium.
The compositions can be administered alone, in combination, or in sequence, before or after injury, for example, in an irrigation solution, prior to or during cataract surgery, or in combination with a nutritive solution for storage of the cornea prior to transplant.
Examples of useful growth factors include, in addition to EGF and EGF-like compounds, fragments of EGF containing the receptor binding region, and EGF modified to improve stability, increase half-life, or enhance permeation into the eye.
Examples of other non-steroidal antiinflammatories include aspirin, ibuprofen, and suprofen.
The composition can be applied topically to the eye or delivered in a controlled fashion by means of a material such as a polymeric implant, gel, or liposomes.
The effective dosage is that amount which promotes closure of corneal endothelial tissue and restores function, i.
e.
, restores permeability, including both barrier function and pumping function.
The dosage for each compound is based in part on the method of administration, and will be varied according to the half-life and rate of absorption of the compound, as well as its specific biological activity.
Clinically, function is measured by determining the clarity of the cornea and degree of swelling.
The effective dosage of indomethacin in a nutritive or irrigating solution is between about 0.
1 and 50 .
mu.
M, preferrably 10 .
mu.
M, and between about 0.
1M and a saturated suspension for topical application.
The effective dosage of EGF in a nutritive or irrigation solution is between about one and 50 ng EGF/ml, preferably 10 ng.
EGF cannot be applied topically unless in a vehicle or form which allows passage of active compound through the surface layers of the cornea to the underlying corneal endothelium