Combined ethanol-assisted and blunt mechanical corneal epithelial peeling technique

• Autores: Rafael Bilbao Calabuig, Felix Gonzalez Lopez, Jose R Villada Casaponsa
• Localización: Journal of Emmetropia: Journal of Cataract, Refractive and Corneal Surgery, ISSN-e 2171-4703, Vol. 5, Nº. 3, 2014, págs. 145-149
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • ABSTRACT: We describe a new surgical maneuver combining chemical and mechanical techniques for debridement of the corneal epithelium prior to photoablation in surface laser surgery.

    In this procedure, a circular cellulose cell sponge soaked with 20% ethanol solution is positioned over the central cornea for 50 seconds. The adhesions between the epithelium and the corneal stroma are loosened using another weck cell spear, and finally, the central corneal epithelium is easily lifted off with the same weck cell spear in a circular manner using epitheliorhexis technique. The maneuver has been used in 838 cases, resulting in straightforward and uniform removal of the corneal epithelium with minimal patient discomfort. No intraoperative or early postoperative complications were observed.