Myth: PRK is the budget version of LASIK.
Reality: PRK costs slightly less, delivers equivalent long-term visual outcomes, and is the medically better option for a meaningful subset of patients. The real question isn’t which procedure saves you $500 — it’s which one is right for your corneal anatomy. But since you’re here for the cost comparison, let’s do that properly.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
Both procedures use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The difference is how the surgeon accesses the corneal stroma. LASIK creates a hinged flap. PRK removes the epithelial layer entirely, which heals over 4–7 days. Same laser, different access route — and different recovery timeline.
| Factor | LASIK | PRK |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per eye | $2,000–$3,000 | $1,800–$2,500 |
| Both eyes total | $4,000–$6,000 | $3,600–$5,000 |
| Recovery to functional vision | 24–48 hours | 5–7 days |
| Recovery to stable vision | 1–3 months | 2–4 months |
| Enhancement rate (5-year) | ~1–2% | ~1–3% |
| Flap complication risk | Small but present | None (no flap) |
| Dry eye risk | Moderate | Lower |
PRK typically saves $400–$1,000 on a bilateral procedure. Real money — but not the main driver of this decision.
When the Savings Don’t Tell the Full Story
Recovery time has economic value. A 5–7 day PRK recovery versus 1–2 days for LASIK is the difference between two days of PTO and most of a work week. For salaried workers with deep PTO banks, it’s negligible. For hourly workers or anyone self-employed, PRK’s recovery represents real lost income that can easily exceed the $500 you saved on the surgery itself.
Post-op medications. PRK patients use antibiotic and steroid eye drops for 4–6 weeks during epithelial healing and ongoing corneal remodeling. Those drops typically cost $50–$150 and may not be bundled into the surgical quote. LASIK patients use drops for a shorter period with lower total drug cost.
10-year total cost comparison:
- Custom LASIK (bilateral): $5,500 upfront + $0–$500 in enhancements → $5,500–$6,000 total
- Custom PRK (bilateral): $4,800 upfront + $150 in post-op drops + $0–$500 in enhancements → $4,950–$5,450 total
- Annual contact lenses + solution + exams: ~$600/year → $6,000 over 10 years
Both surgical options beat long-term contact spending for most people. The PRK vs. LASIK gap over a decade is about $50–$100/year. Genuinely minor.
Your surgeon may recommend PRK if you have:
- Thin corneas where the safe stromal bed remaining after LASIK would be too small
- Moderate-to-severe dry eye syndrome (LASIK cuts corneal nerves, worsening dry eye; PRK doesn’t)
- Larger pupils that increase certain aberration risks with LASIK flap geometry
- High-contact occupation or sport (military, law enforcement, contact sports) — PRK eliminates flap dislodgement risk from trauma entirely
If any of these apply, the modest PRK savings are a secondary consideration. The procedure is medically indicated.
Long-Term Visual Outcomes Are Equivalent
Multiple peer-reviewed studies and ASCRS data confirm that 12-month and 5-year visual acuity outcomes for PRK and LASIK are statistically indistinguishable across most prescription ranges. PRK may show a slight stability advantage at very high myopia corrections (–8D and above), but it’s not dramatic and doesn’t change clinical recommendations for most patients.
The procedure that gets you to 20/20 is the one that’s appropriate for your cornea — not the one that saves $400 on a procedure you’ll have once in your life.
Don’t let price drive the LASIK vs. PRK decision. Let your candidacy evaluation drive it. Choosing LASIK when PRK is medically indicated — or vice versa — affects long-term visual quality. The $500 difference is less meaningful than the decade of vision quality you’re purchasing.
See also: LASIK Eye Surgery Cost and PRK Surgery Cost for deeper dives into each procedure individually.
Bottom Line
LASIK costs $400–$1,000 more than PRK for a bilateral procedure. PRK trades that savings for a longer recovery and lower dry eye risk. Long-term visual outcomes are statistically equivalent. The right choice depends on your corneal anatomy and lifestyle — not on optimizing a $500 price difference on a decade-long investment in your vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
LASIK typically costs between $2,000 and $3,500 per eye, while PRK ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye, making PRK roughly $300–$500 cheaper upfront. However, when factoring in extended recovery time and potential lost work productivity, the total out-of-pocket cost difference often narrows significantly between the two procedures.
Most health insurance plans classify both LASIK and PRK as elective procedures and do not cover them, though some employers offer vision benefits or flexible spending accounts (FSAs) that may help offset costs. You should expect to pay the full cost out-of-pocket, though many surgical centers offer financing plans with monthly payments of $100–$200.
PRK is often the medically better option for patients with thin corneas because it removes less corneal tissue than LASIK, reducing the risk of complications. If your cornea is too thin for LASIK, PRK may be your only surgical option, making the cost comparison less relevant than choosing the procedure your eyes actually support.