TransPRK is an advanced, "no-touch" form of surface ablation. A single excimer laser performs the entire procedure in one step: it first removes the epithelial layer and then immediately reshapes the underlying cornea to correct the prescription. Because no brush, blade, or alcohol touches the eye, it is considered very gentle and may promote a more even healing response. Like PRK, a bandage contact lens is placed on the eye at the end.
Before procedure
Stop wearing contact lenses as directed by your surgeon (often 1 week for soft lenses, longer for hard/RGP lenses).
Arrange for transportation to and from the surgery center.
Avoid using eye makeup, creams, or perfumes on the day of surgery.
You will be prescribed antibiotic drops to start before surgery.
After procedure
Expect 3-5 days of moderate discomfort as the epithelium heals. Use prescribed pain medication.
Adherence to the drop regimen (antibiotic and anti-inflammatory) is absolutely critical.
Your doctor will remove the bandage lens once healing is complete.
Visual recovery follows a similar timeline to PRK: blurry at first, with steady improvement over a week and full stabilization over several weeks.
Complication and alarm signs
The risks are the same as PRK, with perhaps a slightly lower risk of irregular healing due to the no-touch technique. Corneal haze and dry eye are still possible.
Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience: Severe pain, sudden vision loss, or signs of infection (yellow/green discharge, increased redness).