subject: Prk Costs - Pricing Info For Laser Vision Correction Patients [print this page] PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy, which at one time was the most common refractive eye procedure completed. PRK is a laser eye surgery that is performed using the excimer laser to remove small amounts of tissue from the corneas surface for reshaping. PRK is approved for both far and nearsighted people as well as those with astigmatism. The results from PRK are long lasting and a patient can be back to work in as little as 3 days after surgery. The total surgery per eye takes only a few minutes to complete, and has comparable results to most other LASIK surgeries.
Average Costs
The costs for PRK surgery is about the same as most other LASIK surgeries, about $1,800 per eye on the East coast. On the West coast, prices can be found ranging from $1,350 to $2,500 per eye depending on the practice and laser options used. Since this is considered an elective surgery due to the fact that conditions this surgery corrects can also be corrected by using glasses, most insurance policies vision and medical, will not cover the cost.
What Affects Cost?
The surgeon you choose has much to do with the overall cost. The area you live in, the medications, preoperative testing, postoperative care and any retreatments will affect the cost. If your surgeon has a great reputation, you will normally pay more than you would if you used another surgeon. Medications such as antibiotics and eye drops can cost as much as $75 each. Preoperative testing includes blood work, which is used to look for any problems that could arise during surgery due to medications currently being taken and can cost as much as $500. The postoperative care can include up to 2 follow up appointments, of each which would cost about $350. Any retreatments that are not included can cost the total cost of the entire surgery. It is best to find a surgeon that offers some type of all inclusive pricing schedule so that you are not paying individually for each of these services. Certain times of the year, surgeons will offer small discounts on the surgery cost to help improve business and this can be asked of your local surgeon.
