Viscoelastic material as an adjunct to dissections and to treat microperforations during nonpenetrating filtering surgery1

A case is described in which viscoelastic material was used in the anterior chamber to minimize or prevent fluid flow through the area of the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal during nonpenetrating filtering surgery. In cases with or without small perforations, the technique minimizes or decreases fluid flow so that the surgeon has a clearer view of these tissues and can perform more thorough and accurate stripping of deeper layers of tissue.