TransPRK and Epi-LASIK are two different types of Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) laser vision correction methods. They are often confused with one another, because of their similarities – both are surface-based, flapless procedures that involve the removal of the outermost layer of the cornea. However, the process by which the surface cells are removed are where they differ. Read on to find out more about their similarities and differences, so you can decide which one is the best option for you!
Intro
TransPRK (Transepithelial PhotoRefractive Keratectomy) is an Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) procedure, meaning that there is no cutting to create a flap in order to allow the laser to access and reshape the cornea. Instead the laser simply ablates (surgically removes) the outermost layer of cells on the surface of the eye to reach the cornea.
What makes TransPRK different from other ASA procedures such as traditional PRK and Epi-LASIK, is that there is nothing actually physically touching your eye (besides an eye clamp to gently keep your eyelids open) in order to remove the surface cells.
Epi-LASIK is an Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) procedure, meaning that there is no cutting of the cornea to create a flap to allow an excimer laser to access and reshape the cornea. Instead the outermost layer of cells is gently shaken off using an epithelium separator vibrating at ultrasonic speed.
ASA procedures started with PRK in the early 1990s – the first laser vision correction method to be introduced to the world. Epi-LASIK was introduced in the mid 2000s and is one of the many forms of ASA that have preceded what we have today – true no-touch TransPRK.
Treatable Conditions
TransPRK
- Hyperopia (difficulty seeing objects up close)
- Myopia (difficulty seeing objects at long distances)
- Presbyopia (difficulty focusing on objects up close, in older age a.k.a. lao hua yan)
- Astigmatism (distorted, blurry vision at any distance)
Epi-LASIK
- Hyperopia (difficulty seeing objects up close)
- Myopia (difficulty seeing objects at long distances)
- Presbyopia (difficulty focusing on objects up close, in older age a.k.a. lao hua yan)
- Astigmatism (distorted, blurry vision at any distance)
Procedure Steps
TransPRK
Epi-LASIK
Pros
TransPRK
- No flap-related complications
- Low risk of dry eyes
- Ability to participate in contact sports
- No surgical instruments touching the cornea
- All-laser, touchless and bladeless procedure
- Wide range of suitability criteria (high myopia, thin corneas etc.)
- Length of surgery is short (5 mins per eye)
Epi-LASIK
- No flap-related complications
- Low risk of dry eyes
- Ability to participate in contact sports
- Wide range of suitability criteria (high myopia, thin corneas etc.)
- Length of surgery is short (5 mins per eye)
Cons
TransPRK
- Some discomfort early on during the healing process (mild itchiness or soreness on the surface of the eye)
- Slower initial recovery of surface cells, resulting in 1 week of downtime. Slower full visual recovery, with patients expected to achieve a stabilised visual clarity in 2 – 3 months (patients with higher myopia may take longer)
Epi-LASIK
- Some discomfort early on during the healing process (mild itchiness or soreness on the surface of the eye)
- Slower initial recovery of surface cells, resulting in 1 week of downtime. Slower full visual recovery, with patients expected to achieve a stabilised visual clarity in 2 – 3 months (patients with higher myopia may take longer)
- Epithelium separator used to remove the surface cells
Conclusion
We hope that this comparison gives you a good idea of the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures. If you want to learn more about other laser vision correction methods, please visit our comparison table!
Book Your Eye Evaluation
If you would like to book a suitability evaluation with us to determine if you are eligible for laser vision correction surgery,
📞 Call us at 6733 3316
📱 WhatsApp us at 8383 7989
✉️ Email us at doctor@clearvision.com.sg
🤳 Message us on Facebook
🤳 Message us on Instagram
The evaluation costs $55 and will take around 1 – 2 hours.
It will include a series of eye tests as well as a personal consultation with your lasik surgeon.
Suitability Evaluation Guide
Our suitability evaluations typically take place during these times, subject to availability –
| Mondays | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Tuesdays | 9:00 AM 2:30 PM – 5:15 PM |
| Wednesdays | 9:00 AM |
| Thursdays | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Fridays | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM 2:30 PM – 5:15 PM |
Just let us know which days and times work for you and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
