First Author: J.Guell SPAIN
Co Author(s):
Purpose:
We report on a clinical study to evaluate a non-metallic device that is designed to remove the corneal epithelium cells in a non-traumatic way in preparation for surface ablation procedures.
Setting:
: Instituto Microcirugia Ocular of Barcelona
Methods:
This study was an open-label, prospective clinical study that enrolled 25 patients scheduled to undergo a photorefractive keratectomy procedure at our clinic. One eye underwent a standard PRK procedure, removing cells with a standard regimen. The second eye underwent a PRK procedure with the epithelium being removed using the Epi-clear device (ORCA SURGICAL Ltd., Rishon Le Zion, Israel). The EPI-CLEAR device is a “golf-like” metal spud, which has a plastic side that is designed to remove and capture the epithelium cells without scratching or traumatizing the cornea. In the study, the eyes were evaluated during surgery for speed, debris & epithelium cells remaining, user friendliness and corneal trauma. Postoperatively, patients were evaluated to pain, haze, speed of visual recovery and visual acuity out to three months.
Results:
The initial clinical experience shows that eyes where they Epi-clear device underwent re-epithelialization more quickly, had less haze and a quicker recovery of vision compared to the standard PRK procedure. From an ease-of-use perspective, the device was straightforward to use with a short learning curve.
Conclusions:
This new device offers a reproducible, effective method for removal of the corneal epithelium prior to surface ablation procedures. More importantly, it appears to provide patients with quicker recovery following surgery.
Financial Disclosure:
None
