PRK: Costs, Recovery, Stats & What to Expect — A LASIK & Ophthalmology Guide
January 31, 2026 · by the Help Me Find A Doctor editorial team
Everything patients ask about prk — how it works, who it's for, typical recovery, costs, risks, and how to choose the right lasik & ophthalmology specialist. Surface-ablation option for thin corneas, athletes, and dry-eye patients.
Vision correction, cataracts, and comprehensive eye care. Below: the procedures patients ask about most, the numbers that put the field in context, and the questions worth raising at a first consultation with a lasik & ophthalmology specialist.
Top procedures & treatments
PRK
Surface-ablation option for thin corneas, athletes, and dry-eye patients.
LASIK
Femtosecond flap + excimer laser refractive correction; 96%+ of patients reach 20/20 or better.
SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction)
Flapless alternative for low-to-moderate myopia with faster nerve recovery.
Cataract surgery with premium IOLs
Toric, multifocal, and EDOF lenses to reduce post-op glasses dependence.
Refractive lens exchange (RLE)
Cataract-style lens replacement for patients over 45 who are not LASIK candidates.
By the numbers
- ~700,000 LASIK procedures performed annually in the U.S.
- Patient satisfaction with LASIK exceeds 96% in long-term outcomes studies.
- Cataract surgery is the most-performed surgical procedure in the U.S. — ~4 million per year.
How to choose the right specialist
Verify board certification, ask how many of your specific procedure the clinician performs each year, and review patient outcomes — not just star ratings. A lasik & ophthalmology provider who clearly explains your options, the evidence, and the realistic recovery timeline is worth more than the most heavily advertised name.
Use our directory to filter lasik & ophthalmology specialists by city, then bring this article (and the FAQ below) to your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Am I a candidate for LASIK?
Most healthy adults with stable prescription, adequate corneal thickness, and no active eye disease qualify — a full screening confirms candidacy.
What's the price range?
$2,000–$3,500 per eye is typical in the U.S. for surgeon-and-technology-inclusive pricing.
Topics covered