title: Scanning electron microscopy comparison of corneal epithelial removal techniques before photorefractive keratectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the most common epithelial removal techniques by scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Beckman Laser Institute, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The epithelium was removed in both eyes of 5 Dutch belted rabbits by 1 of 5 techniques: blunt mechanical debridement (with a blunt spatula), sharp mechanical debridement (with a sharp scalpel blade), application of topical alcohol, and transepithelial removal with the excimer laser and with the rotary epithelial scrubber. The animals were immediately killed and corneal specimens prepared for scanning electron microscopy. The degree of corneal trauma and the completeness of epithelial cell removal with the 5 techniques were evaluated by comparing the regularity and smoothness of the resulting stromal surfaces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epithelial removal with alcohol, the excimer beam, and the rotary epithelial scrubber produced a smoother, more uniform anterior stromal surface than blunt and sharp mechanical debridement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The smooth and uniform anterior stromal surface produced with the rotary epithelial scrubber, alcohol, and the laser beam may be preferable prior to photorefractive keratectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berns
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Amoils
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000601:surgery*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits