Ophthalmic composition for use in ocular surgery includes an aqueous solution of sodium hyaluronate with a concentration within the range of 18-40 mg sodium hyaluronate/ml solution and the molecular mass of sodium hyaluronate being in the range of 1.times.10.sup.6 -10.times.10.sup.6 <M>.sub.r,M. In a method for conducting ocular surgery, the composition is introduced into the eye as a surgical aid. The composition may be used in a method for conducting cataract surgery.

Ophthalmic composition for use in ocular surgery comprises an aqueous solution of sodium hyaluronate with a concentration within the range of 18-40 mg sodium hyaluronate/ml solution and the molecular mass of sodium hyaluronate being in the range of 1.times.10.sup.6 -10.times.10.sup.6 <M>.sub.r,M. In a method for conducting ocular surgery, the composition is introduced into the eye as a surgical aid. The composition may be used in a method for conducting cataract surgery.

The present invention is directed to viscoelastic systems comprising a combination of a galactomannan polysaccharide containing composition and borate containing composition. The two compositions gel or partially gel upon combination. The present invention also discloses methods of using the systems during surgery and, in particular, eye surgery.

A method of performing intra-articular therapy and a dilution resistant viscoelastic composition are disclosed. One embodiment of the dilution resistant composition comprises a hyaluronate-based viscoelastic agent and a low viscosity, polymer-containing solution. The hyaluronate-based viscoelastic can be an aqueous solution sodium hyaluronate having an average molecular weight greater than 750,000 Daltons and a concentration by weight between 0.5% and 3%. The polymer-containing solution can contain a polymer selected from the group consisting of chondroitin sulfate and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. One embodiment can comprise a polymer-containing solution containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose at a concentration by weight from about 0.05% to about 5.0% and chondroitin sulfate at a concentration by weight from about 0.1 to about 7%.

Disclosed are viscoelastic compositions and methods of their use in surgical and non-surgical packing and in effecting drug delivery, especially in conjunction with trauma to of disorders of the ear.