Drive time per visit (from Waco)
Minutes — you're already home
1.5–2 hours each way to Austin or Dallas
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What Is PRK?
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) was the first laser vision correction procedure and remains one of the most effective. Instead of creating a flap like LASIK, PRK gently removes the thin outer surface of the cornea, applies the corrective laser, then allows the surface to naturally regenerate.
The final visual outcome is identical to LASIK. The difference is recovery — PRK takes 1–2 weeks to reach clear vision versus 1–2 days for LASIK. For patients who are not LASIK candidates, PRK is often the best path to freedom from glasses.
Same corrective outcome as LASIK — proven over 30+ years
No corneal flap — safer for thin corneas and contact sports
Ideal for patients with dry eye tendencies
Preferred by military, law enforcement, and athletes
One-time procedure in most cases
Available in Waco — no drive to Dallas or Austin
Watch an Animation of the PRK Process
PRK vs LASIK — Which Is Right for You?
| PRK | LASIK | |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal flap | No | Yes |
| Recovery to clear vision | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 days |
| Final visual outcome | Equivalent | Equivalent |
| Best for thin corneas | ✓ Yes | May not qualify |
| Safe for contact sports | ✓ Preferred | Flap risk |
| Dry eye risk | Lower | Slightly higher |
| Procedure time | ~10 min/eye | ~10 min/eye |
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Ages 18–65. Used to estimate worry-free distance vision years before typical presbyopia.
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PRK in Waco vs. Driving to Austin or Dallas
Central Texans shouldn't have to burn a day on I-35 to get world-class PRK. When you add up drive time, fuel, hotels, and time off work, "cheaper in the city" often isn't cheaper at all — and your healing deserves more than a car ride home or a hotel room far from home.
Real travel cost
Typical Austin/Dallas care means 3–4 trips highway trips from Waco — about 9–16 hours behind the wheel and $105–200+ in fuel before you count tolls, meals, or time off work.
Your bed, not a hotel
Many metro patients stay overnight for a next-morning post-op exam. That's $130–200+/night on top of surgery — or a long, uncomfortable drive home the same day. We want you home in minutes.
Price-match guarantee
Bring us a written, comparable quote from another provider. We verify it and match or beat verified pricing — so you get fellowship-level care locally without paying metro premiums.
20-Happy guarantee!
While it is illegal to guarantee surgical outcomes, we will be with you every step of the way until you are 20-happy.
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Brazos Eye · Waco
Austin / Dallas
Estimated fuel per round trip
$0 — no highway trip required
$35–50 per visit (≈190–200 mi RT)
Travel for full care (consult, surgery, post-op)
Local — all visits at our Waco office
3–4 trips road trips · 9–16 hours driving · $105–200+ in fuel alone
Where you sleep after surgery
Your own bed — home in minutes, not hours
Often a hotel if you need next-morning post-op before driving home
Travel and hotel figures are typical estimates from Waco based on round-trip mileage, current fuel prices, and standard next-day post-operative scheduling. Individual competitor pricing and staffing models vary; price-match applies to verified written quotes for comparable technology and surgeon credentials.
Keep your PRK close to home — same surgeon from first consult to final follow-up, with pricing we stand behind.
Book Your Free PRK Consult in WacoWe Won't Sell You a Surgery You Don't Need
PRK is an outstanding procedure — when it is the right tool. Many laser centers are built to sell laser vision correction to everyone who walks in. That is not how we practice medicine.
If your natural lens is already changing — especially after age 40 — another round of PRK may not fix what you are actually experiencing. We evaluate your cornea, your lens, and your long-term goals together, and we will tell you plainly when a lens-based procedure is the better answer.
What we promise
If PRK is not the right long-term solution, we will recommend clear lens exchange or cataract surgery instead — even if that means we do not perform laser vision correction today.
What volume centers often miss
Blurry vision after 40 is often presbyopia or early lens changes — not “failed” PRK. High-volume chains like LASIK+ are built to sell repeat laser surgery when the lens is the problem — which can leave you paying twice and still needing glasses. We would rather explain that upfront.
PRK Questions Answered
What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?
LASIK creates a thin corneal flap before applying the laser. PRK removes the outer surface layer instead — no flap. Results are equivalent, but PRK recovery takes longer (1–2 weeks vs 1–2 days for LASIK).
Who is PRK better for than LASIK?
People with thin corneas, dry eye tendencies, or active contact sports or military service often prefer PRK because there is no flap that could be dislodged.
Is PRK more painful than LASIK?
There is more surface discomfort in the first 3–5 days as the epithelium heals. We provide medication to keep you comfortable throughout recovery.
How long until I see clearly after PRK?
Vision improves over 1–4 weeks. Most patients are driving and working within 1–2 weeks. Full sharpness stabilizes over 1–3 months.
Are the final results the same as LASIK?
Yes — long-term studies show equivalent visual outcomes between PRK and LASIK. The difference is the recovery timeline, not the result.
Find Out If PRK Is Right for You
One free consultation tells you whether PRK, LASIK, or ICL is the right fit. We'll examine your eyes, review your lifestyle, and give you a straight answer.