Abstract: A method of protecting tissue from trauma during a surgical procedure, the method comprising the step of coating at least a portion of the tissue with a viscoelastic composition comprising: a mixture of hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the concentration of hyaluronic acid and/or salts thereof is a minimum of about 0.1% w/v and a maximum of about 6% w/v and the concentration of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a minimum of about 0.05% w/v and a maximum of about 5% w/v, based upon the total volume of the viscoelastic composition; tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane at a maximum of about 50 mM and a minimum of about 0.1 mM based upon the total weight of the viscoelastic composition; and a hexahydric alcohol.