Apparatus and method for separating the epithelium layer from the cornea of an eye without corneal pre-applanation

摘要

An instrument for separating at least a portion of the epithelium from Bowman's layer of a cornea of an eye. The instrument includes a vacuum-operated positioning ring for temporary attachment to the eye so that the cornea is received and exposed in a non-planar configuration and the epithelium is not in contact with any portion of the instrument. In addition, the instrument has a separator with an edge that separates the epithelium of the non-planar cornea from the underlying Bowman's layer as the separator moves along a predetermined path intersecting the cornea. No portion of the instrument contacts the epithelium prior to it being separated from Bowman's layer by the separating edge.