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Gentle removal of epithelium in EBK leads to better outcomes
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NEW YORK — Epi-Bowman keratectomy removes a patient’s epithelium in layers as atraumatically as possible during surface ablation and can reduce irregular ablation rates when compared with PRK, according to a speaker here.
“The learning curve [with EBK] is zero. The basement membrane is spared, as well as Bowman’s layer. Because the epithelium is coming up in sheets, there is minimal rupture of the epithelial cell membranes,” Marguerite B. McDonald, MD, FACS, said at OSN New York 2019.
The epi-Bowman keratectomy (EBK) device allows a surgeon to create an optimized optical zone preceding excimer laser treatment. PRK can result in dents and nicks over the visual axis, which “comes from mashing down on the cornea, if you will, with your instrument,” McDonald said.
Removing the epithelium gently, with no sharp knives and in less than 1 minute, can improve outcomes. Surgeons need to use minimal downward pressure just outside of the ablation zone to further improve outcomes, McDonald said.
“The peer-reviewed literature supports the use of the EBK technique, which provides far less discomfort, faster return of vision and best dioptric outcomes,” she said. – by Robert Linnehan
Reference:
McDonald MB. Pearls and pitfalls for surface laser vision correction. Presented at: OSN New York 2019; Nov. 15-17, 2019; New York.
Disclosure: McDonald reports no relevant financial disclosures.