Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable biopolymer matrix for surgical and/or therapeutic use comprising chitosan hydrochloride and dextran dialdehyde is in the ratio of 1:1 to 1:2. The invention further provides a process for preparing the biopolymer matrix and a kit for a surgical and/or therapeutic use comprising the biopolymer matrix.

Abstract: The present invention embodies a composition particularly adapted for use as an ophthalmic viscosurgical material for use in the anterior chamber of the eye consisting essentially of an aqueous solution preferably having a near physiological pH and osmolarity and containing at least about 1.5%, by weight, of a water soluble physiologically acceptable derivative of carboxymethylcellulose having a molecular weight greater than 500,000 and a degree of substitution (DS) greater than about 0.4, the aqueous solution having a viscosity greater than about 10,000 centipoises.The invention further embodies an improved ophthalmic viscosurgical procedure wherein the anterior chamber of the eye is filled with a space-filling corneal endothelium and ocular tissue protective surgical material, the improvement comprising the utilization of an ophthalmic surgical material having the above described composition.