Abstract: An enzymatic method is provided for treating ophthalmic disorders of the mammalian eye. Prevention of neovascularization and the increased rate of clearance from the vitreous of materials toxic to retina is accomplished by administering an amount of hyaluronidase effective to liquefy the vitreous humor of the treated eye without causing toxic damage to the eye. Liquefaction of the vitreous humor increases the rate of liquid exchange from the vitreal chamber. This increase in exchange removes those materials and conditions whose presence causes ophthalmological and retinal damage.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase is prepared wherein the preferred hyaluronidase is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye is carried out by contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., hyaluronidase, .beta.-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.