Limited superficial debridement to improve corneal clarity during closed vitrectomy.

We controlled the development of epithelial edema of the cornea during closed vitreoretinal surgery even when the technique required continuous use of a contact lens by gentle debridement of only the shaggy, edematous superficial layer of wing cells, using an olive-tip irrigator. This technique may avoid the necessity of completely removing the epithelium and the attendant postoperative complications.