While LASIK is a widely performed laser vision correction procedure, PRK (and its modern counterpart, TransPRK) may be more suitable for specific patient profiles.
PRK is often considered for: patients with thin corneas, those in contact sports (boxing, MMA, martial arts), military and paramilitary aspirants, and patients with corneal surface irregularities.
The trade-off: PRK has a slightly longer initial recovery (4-7 days vs 1-2 days for LASIK), but because no flap is created, corneal strength is better preserved and flap-related risk is avoided.
Modern TransPRK is completely touch-free — the laser performs the entire procedure in a single seamless step, with no instruments touching the eye.