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.