Myopia
Patients with stable myopia when corneal parameters permit safe surface ablation.
Almaty, Astana
Shymkent
TransPRK (Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy)
from 201.000 ₸
About the service
TransPRK is surface laser vision correction without a corneal flap. The laser removes the epithelium in the treatment area and reshapes the cornea; a therapeutic lens is usually placed during healing.
Who the service is for
Astigmatism
Patients with myopic astigmatism when the magnitude and axis are within the current platform’s treatment range.
Corneal-flap considerations
Patients for whom the surgeon considers corneal flap creation undesirable. People whose occupation or activity makes avoidance of a flap relevant, after individualized return-to-activity planning.
Corneal thickness
Patients with a relatively thin cornea when tomography and residual-tissue calculations confirm safety. Thin cornea alone is not an automatic indication.
Choosing surface correction
Patients who need surface correction and for whom the surgeon prefers transepithelial laser epithelial removal over a separate mechanical step.
Corneal-flap considerations
Patients with realistic expectations who can follow a longer recovery plan than is typical after flap or lenticule procedures.
Realistic expectations
TransPRK does not guarantee 20/20 vision and does not eliminate surgical risk.
Corneal-flap considerations
TransPRK remains a surface-ablation procedure, so the absence of a flap does not mean the absence of a postoperative wound surface. While the epithelium regenerates, pain or burning, tearing, photophobia, fluctuating vision and marked eye sensitivity may occur. Later effects may include dryness, glare, halos, residual refractive error, regression and subepithelial corneal haze.
Cataract and lens condition
TransPRK does not treat cataract, glaucoma, keratoconus, retinal disease or other causes of reduced vision.
Lens wear schedule
Increasing pain, marked redness, discharge or worsening vision requires earlier medical review.
Corneal thickness
Comprehensive refractive diagnostics are required before TransPRK. The refractive surgeon evaluates visual acuity and refraction, stability of the prescription, corneal thickness and geometry, topography or tomography, the epithelium and tear film, pupil size, crystalline lens and retina. Contact lenses can temporarily alter corneal shape, so KazRIED should specify the discontinuation period according to lens type.
Preparation under the clinic protocol
Preoperative tests and day-of-procedure restrictions should be taken only from the institute’s current protocol.
When urgent care is needed
Seek prompt review for increasing pain, marked redness, purulent discharge, eye trauma or noticeable worsening of vision.
Limitations and safety
TransPRK does not guarantee 20/20 vision and does not eliminate surgical risk. Seek prompt review for increasing pain, marked redness, purulent discharge, eye trauma or noticeable worsening of vision.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Diagnostic assessment
Refraction, corneal thickness and shape, topography or tomography, ocular surface, crystalline lens and retinal assessment.
Stage 2
Choosing the method
The surgeon compares TransPRK with PRK, Femto LASIK, LASIK, ReLEx SMILE and CLEAR, then confirms corneal-surface suitability.
Stage 3
Preparation
Following lens-discontinuation timing and KazRIED instructions and confirming required tests and medicines.
Stage 4
Anaesthesia and eyelid control
Anaesthetic drops and a lid speculum are used; the clinic confirms the protocol.
Stage 5
Transepithelial laser stage
The excimer laser removes epithelium in the planned zone and performs stromal refractive ablation.
Stage 6
Surface protection
After laser treatment, the doctor treats the surface according to protocol and places a therapeutic lens if planned.
Stage 7
Early recovery
The epithelium regenerates; discomfort, photophobia and visual fluctuations may occur while prescribed medicines are used.
Stage 8
Follow-up and stabilisation
The doctor assesses epithelial healing, removes the therapeutic lens when indicated and monitors refraction, haze and the ocular surface.
Service benefits
Laser epithelial removal
In TransPRK, the surface epithelium is treated by laser without a separate mechanical removal stage.
No corneal flap
The technique creates no flap, avoiding risks specifically associated with flap displacement.
Correction planned for your eye
Laser treatment is planned from diagnostic findings, not simply the strength of your prescription.
Less dependence on glasses
Laser correction can reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses when clinically appropriate.
Methods comparison · 1
Criterion
TransPRK
Conventional PRK
Femto LASIK
Principle
Epithelium and refractive profile treated transepithelially with the excimer laser
Epithelium removed separately, then excimer ablation
Femtosecond flap plus excimer ablation
Corneal flap
No
No
Yes
Epithelium
Removed by laser in the treatment zone and regenerates
Removed as a separate step and regenerates
Largely retained over the flap
Early postoperative period
Surface wound with possible pain, photophobia and tearing
Similar surface wound and symptom pattern
Usually less surface discomfort
Functional recovery
Slower than flap methods
Slower than flap methods
Usually faster
Haze
Specific surface-ablation risk
Specific surface-ablation risk
Not a typical primary method-specific risk
Main advantage
No separate mechanical de-epithelialization and no flap
Established classic surface technique without a flap
Fast early recovery in a suitable cornea
Key limitation
Epithelial healing and slower stabilization
Epithelial healing plus a separate epithelial-removal step
Flap anatomy and corneal-suitability requirements
TransPRK
Principle
Corneal flap
Epithelium
Early postoperative period
Functional recovery
Haze
Main advantage
Key limitation
Epithelium and refractive profile treated transepithelially with the excimer laser
No
Removed by laser in the treatment zone and regenerates
Surface wound with possible pain, photophobia and tearing
Slower than flap methods
Specific surface-ablation risk
No separate mechanical de-epithelialization and no flap
Epithelial healing and slower stabilization
Epithelium removed separately, then excimer ablation
No
Removed as a separate step and regenerates
Similar surface wound and symptom pattern
Slower than flap methods
Specific surface-ablation risk
Established classic surface technique without a flap
Epithelial healing plus a separate epithelial-removal step
Femtosecond flap plus excimer ablation
Yes
Largely retained over the flap
Usually less surface discomfort
Usually faster
Not a typical primary method-specific risk
Fast early recovery in a suitable cornea
Flap anatomy and corneal-suitability requirements
Methods comparison · 2
Criterion
TransPRK
LASIK
ReLEx SMILE
Principle
Surface excimer ablation
Mechanical flap plus excimer ablation
Femtosecond lenticule extraction through a small incision
Corneal flap
No
Yes
No
Excimer laser
Required
Required
Not required
Central de-epithelialization
Yes
No comparable central epithelial defect
No
First days
Usually more surface discomfort
Usually faster and more comfortable
Usually faster than TransPRK
Return to activity
After epithelial healing and physician clearance
According to surgeon protocol with flap considerations
According to surgeon protocol; no flap
Treatment range
Depends on excimer platform and cornea
Depends on platform and cornea
Classic SMILE mainly targets myopia/myopic astigmatism
Key limitation
Surface healing and haze
Flap-specific risks and corneal suitability
Indication range and lenticule-extraction factors
TransPRK
Principle
Corneal flap
Excimer laser
Central de-epithelialization
First days
Return to activity
Treatment range
Key limitation
Surface excimer ablation
No
Required
Yes
Usually more surface discomfort
After epithelial healing and physician clearance
Depends on excimer platform and cornea
Surface healing and haze
Mechanical flap plus excimer ablation
Yes
Required
No comparable central epithelial defect
Usually faster and more comfortable
According to surgeon protocol with flap considerations
Depends on platform and cornea
Flap-specific risks and corneal suitability
Femtosecond lenticule extraction through a small incision
No
Not required
No
Usually faster than TransPRK
According to surgeon protocol; no flap
Classic SMILE mainly targets myopia/myopic astigmatism
Indication range and lenticule-extraction factors
Methods comparison · 3
Criterion
TransPRK
CLEAR
Principle
Surface excimer ablation
Ziemer-platform femtosecond lenticule extraction through a small incision
Corneal flap
No
No
Epithelium
Removed centrally by laser and regenerates
No central de-epithelialization
First days
Usually more surface discomfort
Usually faster functional recovery
Haze
Specific surface-ablation risk
Not a typical primary CLEAR risk
Excimer laser
Required
Not required for classic CLEAR
Indications
Depend on excimer platform and corneal parameters
Mainly myopia and myopic astigmatism within platform capabilities
Selection
A surface option when the risk profile supports surface treatment
Selected for an appropriate KLEx profile and available platform
TransPRK
Principle
Corneal flap
Epithelium
First days
Haze
Excimer laser
Indications
Selection
Surface excimer ablation
No
Removed centrally by laser and regenerates
Usually more surface discomfort
Specific surface-ablation risk
Required
Depend on excimer platform and corneal parameters
A surface option when the risk profile supports surface treatment
Ziemer-platform femtosecond lenticule extraction through a small incision
No
No central de-epithelialization
Usually faster functional recovery
Not a typical primary CLEAR risk
Not required for classic CLEAR
Mainly myopia and myopic astigmatism within platform capabilities
Selected for an appropriate KLEx profile and available platform
Book an appointment
Book pre-laser vision correction diagnostics at KazRIED. The refractive surgeon will check the cornea and refractive stability, then explain whether TransPRK is suitable or whether PRK, Femto LASIK, LASIK, ReLEx SMILE or CLEAR would be safer.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
TransPRK (per eye)
from 201 000 ₸
Conventional PRK (per eye)
from 163 000 ₸
PTK, code 219 (per eye)
from 105 000 ₸
Classic PRK is a separate service; its cost is not the same as the cost of TransPRK.
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 26 years
Head
Zhakybekov Ruslan Adilovich
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 28 years
Ophthalmologist
Kim Olga Robertovna
Candidate of Medical Sciences; Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 13 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalshabekov Alibi Sembaevich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
TransPRK — surface laser vision correction
TransPRK is a form of surface excimer laser refractive surgery. No corneal flap is created.
How is the procedure performed?
In conventional PRK, the epithelium is removed in a separate mechanical, chemical, or other step. In TransPRK, epithelial ablation is performed with an excimer laser as part of a transepithelial protocol.
The excimer laser then creates the calculated refractive profile in the superficial stroma.
After the procedure, a bandage contact lens is usually placed on the cornea while the epithelium heals.
How does TransPRK differ from other methods?
- From LASIK and Femto LASIK: correction is performed at the corneal surface without creating a flap.
- From SMILE and CLEAR: correction is achieved through laser ablation rather than the creation and extraction of a lenticule within the cornea.
Additional advice and situations
Specialist assessment
Epithelial healing is on schedule – the bandage lens is removed when the clinician decides, prescribed therapy continues and vision is monitored.
Patient education
Epithelial healing is delayed or discomfort is marked – follow-up and treatment are adjusted; the patient should not remove the lens independently.
Recovery after treatment
Dryness persists after healing – the ocular surface is reassessed and lubricating treatment is adjusted.
Refractive measurement
Residual refractive error remains – stability is assessed before discussing spectacles, contact lenses or possible enhancement when indicated.
Diagnostic protocol
Signs of corneal haze appear – severity is assessed and the patient is managed according to the clinical protocol.
Choosing an alternative method
Preoperative diagnostics show that a surface method is not optimal – Femto LASIK, LASIK, ReLEx SMILE, CLEAR or another option is discussed.
Retinal assessment
Keratoconus, cataract, retinal disease or another disorder is identified – treatment of the primary condition takes priority over refractive surgery.
What should be considered when choosing TransPRK?
The key question when choosing TransPRK is whether surface correction is suitable for the individual patient’s cornea and lifestyle.
TransPRK eliminates a separate mechanical step for removing the epithelium, but healing remains characteristic of surface ablation.
Patients should therefore understand the difference between the duration of the procedure itself and the time needed for functional visual recovery.
What does “no-touch” correction mean?
The term “no-touch” refers to the way the corneal surface is treated with the laser, not to the absence of a healing process.
After TransPRK, the epithelium must regenerate. This process determines the course of the first few days of recovery.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What is TransPRK?
TransPRK is a surface laser vision correction procedure in which an excimer laser removes the epithelium in the treatment zone and then performs refractive corneal ablation.
How is TransPRK different from conventional PRK?
In conventional PRK, the epithelium is removed as a separate step. In TransPRK, epithelial removal and refractive ablation are performed with the excimer laser using a transepithelial approach.
How is TransPRK different from Femto LASIK?
TransPRK does not create a corneal flap and requires epithelial regrowth after surgery. Femto LASIK creates a flap with a femtosecond laser and performs excimer correction beneath it.
How is TransPRK different from ReLEx SMILE and CLEAR?
SMILE and CLEAR are lenticule-extraction procedures in which a stromal lenticule is created and removed through a small incision. TransPRK uses surface excimer-laser ablation.
Which refractive errors can TransPRK treat?
TransPRK may be used to correct myopia, astigmatism and, on some excimer-laser platforms, hyperopia. Individual eligibility is determined after diagnostic assessment.
What prescription range can TransPRK correct?
There is no single range that applies to every patient. It depends on baseline refraction, the excimer platform, corneal thickness and shape and the calculated ablation depth.
Is TransPRK painful?
Topical anaesthesia is used during laser treatment. Pain or significant discomfort, burning, photophobia and tearing may occur afterwards while the epithelium heals.
Why is a bandage contact lens used after TransPRK?
A bandage contact lens protects the corneal surface while the epithelium heals and helps reduce discomfort. It should not be removed or replaced without medical advice.
When is the bandage contact lens removed after TransPRK?
It is removed once adequate epithelial healing has been confirmed. Timing is determined at follow-up according to the condition of the corneal surface.
When does vision start improving after TransPRK?
Vision improves gradually as the epithelium heals and the corneal surface stabilizes. Clarity may fluctuate during the first days, and early recovery is generally slower than after Femto LASIK or lenticule-extraction procedures.