PRK is generally cheaper than LASIK, though the difference is often modest. LASIK averages about $2,250 per eye nationally, while PRK typically runs a few hundred dollars less per eye. But the sticker price doesn’t tell the whole story. When you factor in recovery time, post-operative care, and follow-up visits, the total cost gap between the two narrows considerably.
How the Procedure Prices Compare
The national average for LASIK is $4,492 for both eyes, or roughly $2,250 per eye, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council. PRK tends to cost less because the procedure doesn’t require creating a corneal flap, which means the surgeon uses less specialized equipment. Most PRK quotes fall in the $1,800 to $2,200 per eye range, though prices vary widely by city, surgeon experience, and the technology used.
That said, bargain-priced ads for either procedure (the “$299 per eye” promotions you’ll see online) almost always come with caveats. Those prices typically apply only to mild prescriptions, and the final bill climbs once your actual vision correction needs are factored in. When comparing quotes, make sure both include the same components: pre-operative screening, the procedure itself, and a defined period of post-operative care.
The Hidden Costs of PRK Recovery
PRK’s lower sticker price comes with a tradeoff that can quietly eat into your savings: a longer recovery. After LASIK, most people return to work within a day or two. PRK recovery is significantly more prolonged. Surgeons typically recommend taking several days off work, and functional vision can take one to three weeks to stabilize. If you’re paid hourly or don’t have paid leave, those extra days away from work add up fast.
PRK also involves more post-operative care. You’ll wear a bandage contact lens for roughly four to five days while the surface of your cornea heals, and you’ll need prescription eye drops, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drops, for a longer period than LASIK patients. A full course of post-operative medications runs in the range of $80 to $150, and if your eyes need extended lubrication therapy with specialty drops, that cost can climb higher. LASIK patients use fewer drops for a shorter window, so their post-op medication costs tend to be lower.
When you add up the extra time off work, additional follow-up appointments, and a longer course of prescription drops, PRK’s upfront savings can shrink to a few hundred dollars or even disappear entirely.
What Insurance and Benefits Cover
Most health insurance plans classify both PRK and LASIK as elective, which means they won’t cover either procedure. However, some vision insurance plans offer discounts or preferred pricing through partner surgeons, typically knocking 10% to 20% off the quoted price for either surgery.
The more useful route for many people is a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Both PRK and LASIK qualify as eligible expenses under IRS guidelines because they correct a medical condition, even though they’re considered elective. That means you can pay with pre-tax dollars, effectively saving 20% to 35% depending on your tax bracket. If you’re planning either procedure, loading your HSA or FSA in advance is one of the simplest ways to reduce your real cost.
Pre-Operative Screening Fees
Before either procedure, you’ll need a comprehensive eye exam and corneal mapping to determine whether you’re a good candidate. Some practices offer this initial screening at no charge. Others charge a consultation fee, and it’s worth asking upfront whether that fee gets credited toward your surgery if you move forward. At UCLA Health’s refractive surgery center, for example, the screening consultation is free, but a $500 deposit is collected at the pre-operative exam. That deposit applies toward the surgical cost but isn’t refunded if you decide not to proceed.
These policies vary from practice to practice, so clarify them before booking. A “free consultation” that leads to a non-refundable deposit is functionally different from a truly no-cost screening.
Why PRK Costs Less in the First Place
The price difference comes down to equipment. LASIK requires a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the cornea before reshaping the tissue underneath. That laser is expensive to purchase and maintain, and those costs get passed to the patient. PRK skips the flap entirely. The surgeon removes the outer layer of the cornea (which regenerates on its own) and then uses the same excimer laser that LASIK uses to reshape the underlying tissue. One fewer laser in the operating room means a lower price tag.
The visual outcomes are essentially the same. Both procedures correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism with similar long-term accuracy. PRK is often recommended for people with thinner corneas or those in occupations where a corneal flap could be a concern, like contact sports or military service. So the choice between them is rarely just about price.
How to Compare Quotes Accurately
If you’re weighing PRK against LASIK purely on cost, make sure you’re comparing the full picture:
- Procedure fee: Confirm whether the quote is per eye or for both eyes. A $2,000 quote per eye is $4,000 total.
- Technology tier: Custom wavefront-guided treatments cost more than standard corrections for both procedures. Make sure both quotes use the same level of technology.
- Post-op care: Some practices bundle a year of follow-up visits into the surgical fee. Others charge per visit. Ask what’s included.
- Enhancement policy: If your vision needs a touch-up procedure within the first year or two, find out whether that’s included or billed separately.
- Medications: Ask whether prescription drops are included in the quoted price or an additional out-of-pocket cost.
- Time off work: Estimate your lost income for one to two days (LASIK) versus four to seven days (PRK) and add that to the total.
PRK is cheaper at the point of sale, and for many people it remains the less expensive option even after accounting for recovery costs. But the gap is smaller than the sticker prices suggest. If your surgeon recommends one procedure over the other based on your corneal thickness or lifestyle, the cost difference between them is rarely large enough to override that clinical recommendation.