In traditional LASIK surgery, the incision on the cornea removes a portion of the stroma, which never completely heals. The EBK™ epithelial layer removal procedure is extremely superficial and does not reach the stromal layer.
The EBK™ procedure involves lightly sliding a specially-designed, multi-blade polymer epikeratome across the epithelium to gently peel the outer layer, rather than using a microkeratome scalpel to make an incision for a corneal flap. The bowl-shaped multi-blade configuration of the patented Epi Clear™ dynamic epikeratome simultaneously removes epithelial debris from the treatment bed.
The resulting treatment bed has regular, well-defined edges. The surrounding epithelium remains fully adhered and is not traumatized so that re-epithelialization is rapid. In conventional LASIK, there is a risk of complications from the healing flap and the entire procedure is much more invasive. And unlike LASIK, EBK™can be performed on patients with thinner corneas.
While both procedures essentially remove the epithelial surface to prepare a treatment bed for the excimer laser, EBK™ does so without altering the biomechanical integrity of the cornea and without scratching Bowman’s layer – leaving it completely intact. With regular, well-defined edges and the surrounding epithelium still fully adherent and not traumatized, healing is faster and less painful. Conventional PRK techniques do not produce such thorough and precise epithelial cell residue removal.
EBK™ leaves regular, well-defined edges and causes significantly less trauma to the delicate tissues. It also completely removes all epithelial cell residue. The clean edges and surface area augment re- epithelialization to make healing faster and less painful.
Since the EBK™ procedure is very superficial; we believe it is safer to the integrity and health of the cornea. After the procedure, the epithelium grows back to its natural original state, minimizing the risk of complications relative to LASIK techniques.
Because EBK™ preserves the biomechanical integrity of the cornea and leaves a cleaner, smoother and superior treatment bed; complete healing of the epithelium is possible. The procedure is more gentle and accurate, leaving Bowman’s layer completely intact. This causes no scarring, reduces higher order aberrations (HOA) and facilitates faster visual recovery.
The epithelium removal takes approximately 8 seconds per eye.
Yes. The inherent costs of the devices and equipment needed are expected to be lower than current techniques. And due to its enhanced safety profile, malpractice insurance for EBK™ will in all likelihood be lower than for conventional LASIK techniques.
