PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF HYALURONIC-ACID AND HYDROXYPROPYLMETHYLCELLULOSE IN SOLUTION - EVALUATION OF COATING ABILITY

Hyaluronic acid (HC) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) in buffer ed saline are ''viscoelastics'' used in ophthalmic surgery to prevent mechanical damage to delicate eye structures and to form a protective coating over corneal endothelium. HA is a high molecular weight polysa ccharide that exhibits decreasing viscosity at increased shear rates. HPMC is a cellulose derivative that exhibits low surface tension. This study examines the physical properties of HA and HPMC solutions and a ttempts to correlate these properties with the ability of those macrom olecules to coat and protect ocular structures. Results presented in t his article suggest mixtures of HA and HPMC exhibit low surface tensio n and ease of aspiration characteristics that are desired in viscoelas tic materials. For this reason a blend of these two macromoleculars of fers handling advantages over each of these individual macromolecules. (C) 1994 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.