Abstract OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the precision of a new non-freeze lamellar refractive dissection technique. STUDY DESIGN: Pig corneas were dissected on concave and convex moulds of a refractive workbench. The refractive lenticles were measured with ultrasound: topography was examined with a TMS photokeratoscope. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hamburg. MATERIAL: Forty porcine corneas were dissected with an automatic rotating microkeratome, the plano lenticles were shaped on a refractive work-bench. RESULTS: A refractive modification on, for example, +24 D or -21 D revealed an effective thickness change of almost 80% of the desired correction. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that due to factors such as tissue compressibility and stromal swelling the desired change in corneal thickness will differ from the actual change in curvature.