Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (TransPRK)

What Is TransPRK?
Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a type of refractive surgery designed to correct one’s vision. This kind of surgery uses a laser to treat vision problems caused by refractive errors.
This treatment intends to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. This improves the way light rays are focused on the retina.
Should I Get PRK?

If you have dry eyes or thin corneas and want to have refractive surgery, TransPRK may be a good choice for you. This is because some other types of refractive surgery, such as LASIK, are not recommended if you have these conditions.
Also, this treatment is a wonderful alternative for patients who don’t qualify for LASIK, due to certain conditions, as it likewise delivers excellent results and bright vision.

Differences Between LASIK and PRK

Both eye surgeries have the same intent — though they are different.

LASIK and TransPRK use a laser to reshape the cornea, the clear outer layer of your eye that focuses light so you can see clearly. But they do it in slightly different ways.

LASIK creates a thin flap in the cornea. TransPRK removes the outer layer of the cornea, which grows back over time.
Both techniques are equally effective in permanently correcting your vision. The main difference is the recovery time. LASIK takes a few days or less to see clearly while TransPRK takes about a month. After LASIK, most patients can see clearly within a few hours. Because of the corneal surface removal, TransPRK takes a bit longer (and, unlike LASIK, some minor pain follows).

Here are more of the differences between the two vision correction procedures:

LASIK x TransPRK


Image Credits: Lasik and TransPRK

TransPRK may be an alternative option for people who are not good candidates for LASIK, including patients with thin corneas. It may enable people to do most of their everyday tasks without corrective lenses. However, you might need to wear glasses for certain activities, such as reading or driving at night. Also, with TransPRK, your vision may end up being undercorrected or overcorrected.
Although LASIK patients must be careful not to rub their eyes in the days following the procedure, those recovering from TransPRK must take added care. Those who get TransPRK must also wait at least a week to drive.
LASIK and TransPRK are equally safe, and both work well. People who have one of these procedures have achieve a significantly better eyesight as their visual problems are corrected following either procedure

What TransPRK can correct

  • Nearsightedness
  • Farsigedness
  • Astigmatism

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about TransPRK? We got answers!
Our FAQ section to learn about eligibility, procedure details, recovery time, and costs. Discover how TransPRK can improve your vision and what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. For any additional queries, feel free to contact our team.
In general, a patient who is qualified for LASIK is also a good candidate for TransPRK. Some general guidelines for candidacy include the following:
  • At least 18 years old
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • Stable prescription for at least one year
  • Free from eye injuries and infection for at least one year
  • Not suffering from dry eye syndrome
  • No issues with keratoconus
NOT REALLY. Both LASIK and TransPRK are effective and proven vision correction procedures with utmost safety.
In general, LASIK treatments have excellent safety profiles and high success rates. The best way to minimize post-surgical complications is to choose an experienced surgeon and provider whom you feel comfortable with.
FALSE. All eye laser treatments involve contact with the eye. This may be in the form of surgical instruments or lasers. Both LASIK and TransPRK treatments make use of an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, ensuring safe procedures and exceptional outcomes.
NOT NECESSARILY. In almost all cases, the flap heals after a month. After recovery, the cornea returns to normal. Patients are able to resume playing contact sports (tennis, basketball, soccer, etc.) after a month. In addition, if you were to be hit directly in the eye during contact sports, you are likely to sustain eye injuries, regardless of the type of surgery you had done.
There is no one size-fits-all treatment. Both refractive procedures are very safe. The risk of problems for both is very small.
However, unless there are good reasons to perform TransPRK, we believe that LASIK is still the best solution for most patients. It offers the best-possible vision correction, faster recovery, and better visual results.
Your comprehensive eye screening results and evaluation with our ophthalmologist will be able to let you know which is best for you.

TransPRK