TransPRK Candidates

Transepithelial PhotoRefractive Keratectomy (or TransPRK for short), represents a very recent iteration of laser refractive surgery. The evolution of this form of surgery started with PRK, which was soon overtaken by LASIK, or laser in situ keratomileusis. The reasons for this takeover were that LASIK offered much faster recovery of vision and eye comfort than PRK, where recovery was delayed by the need for the surface cells of the cornea to heal. TransPRK is often a great option for patients who are not candidates for traditional LASIK, such as patients who have extremely thin or irregularly shaped corneas.

Correct your vision without the need to cut a cornea flap with no touch, no blade TransPRK

However, LASIK may not be suitable for everyone. Hence, TransPRK has been introduced as a form of laser surface ablation to cater for the group of individuals who are not suitable for LASIK. TransPRK is a non-invasive, no blade surface based procedure; a safer procedure that is suitable for almost everyone, especially if you have been rejected for LASIK.

TransPRK may be a second chance for patients with thin cornea and for patients who have had complications from LASIK and Epi-LASIK.

If you have thin cornea, you may already have been rejected for the LASIK procedure. TransPRK can be your second chance to regain clarity to your unaided vision. Scars from LASIK and Epi-LASIK complications can be treated with TransPRK.

You cannot perform another Epi-LASIK on the same eye because the “blunt” blade cut into the substance of the cornea. Therefore, retreatment with Epi-LASIK is not advised. TransPRK is ideal and recommended for many cases of enhancement even in previous LASIK and Epi-LASIK.

TransPRK may be a better choice for patients with high myopia

If you have high myopia, much more of your cornea will be used for your correction. With TransPRK, there is no need to create a cornea flap. Therefore, laser ablation begins at the surface of the cornea, leaving the cornea with more cornea after your treatment.

In addition, in high shortsightedness, we strengthen your cornea with accelerated crosslinking and this potentially stabilizes your result and corneal shape and also helps to protect the structural integrity of the cornea.

TransPRK is most effective when:

• There is an increased possibility of LASIK flap complications e.g. small, deep set eyes.
• Treating patients who participate in contact sports e.g. rugby, martial arts etc. or engage in activities with enhanced risk of injury e.g. fire officers, police personnel and the armed forces etc.
• Treating patients who are highly anxious or having a particular phobia about flap creation.
• There is a need for re-treatment of patients who have had previous corneal surgery.
• There is a need for preparation of the under layer of the cornea before corneal cross-linking in Keratoconic patients.
• Treating patients with Moderate Myopia.

Reference

http://www.transprk.com.sg/is-transprk-for-me