PRK laser eye surgery, explained honestly.
The original surface laser, still the right choice for some eyes. Honest costs, the slower recovery, the real risks, and how to choose safely. We never name a clinic.
near £1,200 to £1,800 UK
no flap
slower than LASIK
Is it worth going abroad?
PRK, also called surface laser, commonly costs about £750 to £2,300 per eye in the UK, with many clinics quoting roughly £1,200 to £1,800 including aftercare. Abroad it is often cheaper, on the same excimer laser used everywhere. It is frequently a little cheaper than LASIK and suits thin corneas or contact sports because no flap is made, but recovery is slower, with a few days of discomfort and one to two weeks for vision to settle.
Costs below are indicative ranges, reviewed October 2025, and vary by your eyes, the technology used, and what a package includes. They are not a quote and not a promise of a result.
The procedure, in plain terms.
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, reshapes the cornea with the same cool beam excimer laser used in LASIK, but without creating a flap. The surgeon first removes the thin surface layer of the cornea, the epithelium, then reshapes the tissue beneath, and the surface heals back over the following days under a protective contact lens. Because no flap is made, more of the cornea's strength is preserved, which is why it is often chosen for thinner corneas. It treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism within set ranges.
Who it tends to suit. People with thinner corneas, those in contact sports or roles where a flap could be a risk, and many who are not suitable for LASIK. A full corneal assessment decides this.
Who it tends not to suit. People who need a fast visual recovery, since PRK takes longer, along with those with certain eye conditions, very dry eyes, or an unstable prescription. Keratoconus and irregular corneas are not treated by PRK.
The price, honestly.
PRK is often slightly cheaper than LASIK because there is no flap step, and uses the same laser. A low headline price can leave out the protective lens, drops, and the several follow up visits a surface procedure needs.
Indicative ranges, reviewed October 2025. Not a quote. A headline price far below the rest of the market often leaves out scans, repeat treatment, or aftercare, so always ask for the all in figure and the currency you are billed in.
Because recovery is slower, budget for more time off and confirm how many follow up visits the price covers. For a fuller breakdown see our cost by country guide.
What can go wrong.
PRK has long term outcomes broadly comparable to LASIK for suitable eyes, but the early recovery is more uncomfortable and slower. The risks are real and depend on a careful assessment.
The healing surface is genuinely sore for a few days, more so than after LASIK. Pain relief and a protective contact lens help.
Vision is blurry at first and typically takes one to two weeks to become usable, sometimes longer to fully sharpen.
A temporary hazing of the cornea can occur, more so with higher corrections, and is usually managed with drops. It rarely affects the final result.
The result may not land exactly on target and a further treatment is sometimes needed.
The exposed surface raises infection risk slightly until it heals, which is why the drops and the protective lens matter.
PRK's slow recovery sits awkwardly with travel, since the most uncomfortable days and the early infection risk fall while you may be away from your clinic. Plan for enough time before flying, confirm who manages the healing checks, and treat a rushed assessment or unclear aftercare as a warning sign.
Six questions before you pay.
A safe clinic answers all six in writing without flinching. Vague answers, pressure to book quickly, and prices far below the market are the warning signs that matter most. We do not name clinics, so use these to judge any you are sent.
Recovery, and what happens once you are home.
First 3 to 5 days
The surface heals under a protective contact lens. Expect soreness, watering, and light sensitivity. Use the prescribed drops and pain relief and rest your eyes.
First 1 to 2 weeks
The lens is removed once healed and vision begins to clear, though it is still blurry and fluctuating at first.
1 to 3 months
Vision sharpens and settles. Any haze usually fades with the prescribed drops.
Long term
Results are generally stable and comparable to LASIK. Reading glasses may still be needed with age.
PRK needs more follow up visits than LASIK, and the early healing is when problems show up. Arranging that from abroad is hard, so agree the aftercare schedule and who manages any haze or further treatment before you travel.
Standard travel insurance rarely covers elective procedures or their complications. Read the policy closely and consider dedicated medical complications cover before you book.
Now you know what to ask, compare safely.
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The things everyone asks.
Is PRK better than LASIK?
Neither is simply better. PRK avoids a flap and suits thinner corneas and contact sports, but recovery is slower and more uncomfortable. LASIK recovers faster. The right choice depends on your eyes.
How long does PRK take to heal?
The surface heals in a few days under a protective lens, vision becomes usable over one to two weeks, and it can take one to three months to fully sharpen.
Is PRK cheaper than LASIK?
Often slightly, because there is no flap step. In the UK PRK is commonly about £750 to £2,300 per eye, with many quotes near £1,200 to £1,800 including aftercare. The same excimer laser is used for both.
Does PRK hurt more than LASIK?
The first few days are more uncomfortable because the surface layer has to heal. Pain relief and a protective contact lens make this manageable for most people.
Can I fly home soon after PRK?
The early days are the most uncomfortable and carry the most infection risk, so plan enough time and confirm timing and follow up with the clinic before booking travel.
Where to go next.
PRK cost by country
Guide liveThe indicative price ranges, what drives them, and why abroad differs from home.
Eye surgery abroad safety
Guide liveThe reference guide on staying safe when you travel for treatment on your eyes.
How to choose safely
On this pageThe six questions that separate a safe clinic from a risky one, and the red flags.
You can also Get Matched with a vetted clinic or browse all procedures.
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Compare how PRK works in each country, what it tends to cost, and the local risks to weigh. Indicative and informational. We never name a clinic.
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