A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.
