PRK vs LASIK - Pros, Cons, Costs & Who Needs Them

What is the Difference Between PRK and LASIK?

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) are surgical treatments for:

Myopia (nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Astigmatism

Both procedures achieve the goal of 20/40 vision or better. PRK and LASIK’s main difference is in how they're performed and their recovery timelines.

Deciding between the two is difficult without expert advice. An eye doctor can evaluate your eye health to determine if you’re a candidate.

Who is a Candidate for Each Procedure?

You might qualify for PRK if you:

Are 18 years or older
Have good general health
Are not pregnant or nursing
Have healthy eyes
Have a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism)
Have had a stable prescription for at least a year
Don’t qualify for LASIK
Want to achieve better vision
Want to eliminate dependence on contacts or eyeglasses
Understand the risks and benefits of the procedure
Have realistic expectations

You'll qualify for LASIK surgery if you:

Are 18 years or older
Have healthy eyes
Have a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism)
Have had a stable prescription for at least a year
Have a thick cornea
Are not pregnant or nursing
Want to achieve better vision
Understand the procedure
Have realistic expectations

Talk to your eye doctor about any medications, previous surgeries, or underlying medical conditions that may interfere with the surgery and healing process.

Looking for the best LASIK surgeon in ? We've done the research and picked the top ones for you. See Our Picks

What Happens During LASIK Surgery?

LASIK surgery can take 30 minutes or less for both eyes. Here is what happens during the procedure:

The surgeon will administer a numbing agent to prevent pain and discomfort. They will also provide sedatives to help you relax during the procedure. If you have eye allergies, your surgeon will administer an anti-allergic agent.
The surgeon will create a flap by incising the surface of your cornea. Bladeless LASIK surgeries (iLASIK) use a computer-guided laser to map your eye before creating the incision.
Once the flap is created, the surgeon will fold it back to expose the deeper corneal tissue layers.
The surgeon will then use an excimer laser to reshape your cornea. This allows light to focus well on the retina.
The flap is repositioned, and the surgeon will give you eye shields to protect the incision while it heals.

What Happens During PRK Surgery?

Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve flap creation. Here is what to expect during the procedure:

The surgeon will use a speculum (eyelid holder), and an alcohol solution to cut out a thin top layer of the cornea
Once the underlying corneal tissue is exposed, the surgeon will use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea
The surgeon will administer anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and steroid drops to prevent inflammation and infection
They will place a clear contact bandage on the cornea's surface to protect the wound as it heals.

PRK surgery takes about 15 to 20 minutes for both eyes.

Recovery Period

According to research, LASIK has a quicker recovery process than PRK. It is also associated with less pain and discomfort.

The initial recovery time after PRK surgery is about 1 week to a month. On the other hand, LASIK patients show significant vision improvement within 24 hours after surgery.

After a LASIK or PRK procedure, the doctor will prescribe pain medications, antibiotics, and lubricating eye drops to ease pain and discomfort during recovery.

They will also provide detailed post-op care instructions. Attend your first follow-up appointment at least 24 hours after surgery to closely monitor the healing process. Regular follow-up visits are recommended to ensure a successful recovery.

Side Effects and Risks

The following are side effects and risks of LASIK surgery:

Dry eyes
Eye pain
Red eyes
Light sensitivity
Glares and halos
Double vision (diplopia)
Undercorrection/overcorrection
Astigmatism (uneven corneal shape)
Visual regression
Flap infections
Vision changes/vision loss (rare)

The following are side effects and risks of PRK surgery:

Mild pain or discomfort
Halos and starbursts, especially at night
Hazy vision (corneal haze)
Possible overcorrection/undercorrection
Sensitivity to light
Worsening vision (normal during the first phase of healing)

Contact your doctor if you experience sudden vision changes, severe pain, or bleeding.

Looking for the best LASIK surgeon in ? We've done the research and picked the top ones for you.

Learn More

How Much Do LASIK and PRK Cost?

Both PRK and LASIK generally cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per eye. The prices can vary due to several factors, including:

Location
Pre-op and post-op care facilities
Surgeon’s experience

PRK is easier and requires fewer resources to perform. This makes it a bit cheaper compared to LASIK.

Talk to your doctor for accurate pricing information. Some surgeons may offer financing options. Your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) may also cover some of the costs.

We looked through hundreds of data points to pick the best LASIK surgeon in . Our Top Picks

PRK vs LASIK: Which is More Effective?

Both PRK and LASIK are considered safe and effective refractive surgeries. Modern technologies, such as wavefront, have made the procedures safer and more accurate.⁸

According to outcome studies, over 90% of PRK and LASIK clients experience a notable improvement in their vision quality (20/40 vision or better).

About 70% of PRK and 90% of LASIK clients achieve 20/20 vision.⁹ The outcomes are permanent.

Pros and Cons of LASIK

These are the advantages of LASIK surgery:

Quick recovery time
Safe and effective
No stitches required
High success rate
Few follow-up visits required

These are the disadvantages of LASIK surgery:

Higher risk of dry eyes
Risk of poor night vision
Risk of flap complications
Unsuitable for people prone to eye injuries

Pros and Cons of PRK

These are the advantages of PRK surgery:

Suitable for people with thin corneas
Less risk of removing excess corneal tissue
No need for flap creation
More affordable than LASIK
Low risk of dry eyes
High success rate

Here are the disadvantages of PRK surgery:

Longer recovery time
Higher risk of infection
Risk of Blurry vision
Mild to moderate pain and discomfort for weeks
Risk of light sensitivity (photophobia)
Requires bandage contact lens

Summary

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK) are surgical procedures for treating myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

They're based on the same principle, but the procedures and recovery times differ significantly. LASIK involves the creation of a corneal flap before laser treatment, whereas PRK only removes the thin layer of the cornea.

PRK is a great alternative for LASIK in people with a thin cornea. Although PRK has a longer recovery time than LASIK, both are considered safe and effective at correcting refractive errors.

In this article