The Epi Clear™ device is a single-use polymer epikeratome designed to perform precise ablation of the epithelial surface. Epithelial cells are collected in a bowl-shaped receptacle to ensure their safe removal from the cornea without altering Bowman’s layer. This creates a smooth and ideal treatment bed for excimer laser procedures aimed at correcting vision.
The EBK™ epithelial removal procedure produces clean edges that stimulate epithelial regrowth, helping to shorten recovery time and reduce patient discomfort during epithelial healing.
Still unsure about its effectiveness? A 2019 study by Vingopoulos, Filippos, Kanellopoulos; and Anastasios John, conducted on 44 eyes, may convince you to give it a try.
Epi-Bowman Blunt Keratectomy Versus Diluted EtOH Epithelial Removal in Myopic Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Prospective Contralateral Eye Study
Vingopoulos F, Kanellopoulos AJ. Epi-Bowman Blunt Keratectomy Versus Diluted EtOH Epithelial Removal in Myopic Photorefractive Keratectomy: A Prospective Contralateral Eye Study. Cornea. 2019 May;38(5):612-616. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000001863. PMID: 30640250.
Abstract
Purpose: To compare the outcomes and complications of Epi-Bowman blunt keratectomy (EBK) using a blunt epikeratome (Epi-Clear, Orca Surgical, Israel), with alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in contralateral eyes.
Methods: This prospective, randomized contralateral eye study included 44 eyes of 22 patients undergoing PRK for bilateral myopia or myopic astigmatism. In each patient, epithelial delimitation was performed using an Epi-Clear epikeratome EBK (EBK group) on 1 eye and diluted ethanol (EtOH) on the fellow eye (EtOH group). Postoperative pain, epithelial healing, epithelial profile, and visual outcome were compared between the 2 groups.
Results: The mean postoperative pain scores were 0.37 ± 0.25 for the EBK group and 0.82 ± 0.22 for the EtOH group (P = 0.043). The mean epithelial defect size at day 3 postoperatively was 1.61 ± 1.46 and 2.25 ± 1.69 mm, respectively (P = 0.034). The postoperative 3-month remaining mean spherical equivalent was 0.04 ± 0.49 diopters for the EBK group and 0.21 ± 0.26 D for the EtOH group (P = 0.520). There was no significant difference in UCVA and BCVA between the groups.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that this novel EBK device and technique may minimize postoperative pain, accelerate re-epithelialization, and offer earlier visual recovery, compared with EtOH when used for myopic PRK.