Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for use in surgical procedures for refractive ablation of the cornea to achieve vision correction with a minimum of undesirable side effects and for a broad range of optical conditions such myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. Specifically disclosed are compositions, and methods involving their use, wherein the compositions act as agents for the reversible removal of corneal epithelial layers to provide access for UV radiation in manipulation of the refractive properties of the cornea. The methods and compositions of the present invention are capable of achieving desirable results in corrective surgery not possible with current methods for exposing the corneal stroma to far-UV laser radiation.