These methods, devices, and structures are useful in the field of
ophthalmology; the devices and methods relate variously to separating or lifting
corneal epithelium from the eye preferably in a substantially continuous layer, placing a lens or other suitable ocular or
medical device beneath the epithelial membrane, and to the resulting structures formed by those procedures. The de-epilthelialization devices generally utilize a non-
cutting separator or dissector that is configured to separate the
epithelium at a naturally occurring cleavage surface in the eye between the
epithelium and the corneal stroma (Bowman's membrane), specifically separating in the region of the lamina lucida. The separator or dissector may have a structure that rolls or vibrates (or both) at that cleavage surface or interface during the
dissection step. The separated
epithelium may be lifted or peeled from the surface of the eye to form an epithelial flap or a pocket. The epithelium may then be replaced on the
cornea after a refractive procedure or after placement of an ocular lens (or other subepithelial device) on the eye. The subepithelial device may comprise a wide variety of synthetic, natural, or composite polymeric materials. The step of replacing
epithelial tissue upon the subepithelial device or upon the anterior
corneal surface promotes epithelial healing.