Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating injuries to the neural system of a human eye and corresponding structures in the brain are designed to degrade gylcosaminoglycans (GAGs) within chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPG) using chondroitinase ABC (cABC), preserving neural architecture and protecting the visual system from progressive damage after vascular insult of the optic nerve and/or other portions of the visual system. The methods include delivering the cABC composition by topically applying the composition onto the patient's cornea, stereotactic injections into the related anatomy, delivery by micro-osmotic pumps, delivery by nanoparticles and/or nanocapsules, and delivery through intravitreal implants.