An ophthalmic formulation, comprising a chelator (such as EDTA and its salts), and a transport enhancer (such as Methyl Sufonyl Methane; MSM) and an effective amount of a viscoelastic polymer (such as hydroxymethyl cellulose; HEC) is provided. Together, the combination of the two substances unexpectedly and beneficially reduces discomfort associated with and increases efficacy of chelator/transport enhancer as compared to formulations without the viscoelastic polymer.