In certain embodiments, a device configured to perform epithelial removal comprises a laser device and a control computer. The laser device can separate the epithelium from the Bowmans layer of an eye using pulsed laser radiation having ultrashort pulses. The laser device includes controllable components that control a focus of the pulsed laser radiation. The control computer controls the controllable components to focus the pulsed laser radiation at one or more epithelial cell layers of the epithelium to photodisrupt at least a portion of the epithelial cell layers.