Enhancing Visual Quality: The Impact of Alcohol-Assisted Delamination on Corneal Aberrations in Patients with Central...

Background/Objectives: Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD) is a common corneal dystrophy characterized by recurrent corneal erosions and visual impairments due to surface irregularities and opacities. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of alcohol-assisted delamination (ALD) of the corneal epithelium in patients with EBMD affecting the visual axis, who experience decreased vision quality due to higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and irregular astigmatism. Methods: Eleven eyes of nine patients (four males and five females) were treated with ALD, with a mean age of 51.3 ± 19.7 years. All patients underwent refraction, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, a comprehensive slit-lamp examination for EBMD pattern identification, anterior segment imaging with and without fluorescein, tear break-up time (BUT) testing, corneal topography, corneal aberrometry (Zernike coefficients (Znm) were calculated for a 5.0 mm simulated pupil), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography preoperatively and at 1-day, 14-day, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals. Results: All patients demonstrated improvements in BCVA and visual quality, ocular comfort, and BUT results. The mean root mean square (RMS) value of total corneal aberrations decreased from 1.72 ± 0.90 μm to 0.90 ± 0.62 μm, while the mean RMS value of HOAs reduced from 0.92 ± 0.48 μm to 0.53 ± 0.28 μm. Astigmatism and trefoil were the aberration components that exhibited the most significant reductions. Conclusions: Alcohol-assisted delamination of the corneal epithelium is a safe and effective treatment for central EBMD patients experiencing visual quality deterioration. Astigmatism and trefoil appear to be the primary aberrations contributing to visual disturbances in this patient population.