A 24-year-old soldier with myopia of -4.0 D wants refractive surgery. Central corneal thickness is 468 micrometres, topography is normal, and his occupation carries a high risk of blunt ocular trauma. The MOST appropriate procedure is:

• A Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) ✓
• B LASIK with a thin flap
• C Phakic intraocular lens implantation
• D Small incision lenticule extraction

Explanation

Surface ablation (PRK) avoids a stromal flap entirely, so it leaves more structural integrity, suits thin corneas where a flap would compromise the residual bed, and eliminates the lifelong risk of flap displacement from trauma. Phakic IOLs are reserved for very high myopia beyond the excimer range. SMILE still requires an adequate stromal thickness and does not address the trauma concern as directly as a flapless surface procedure.

Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.