PRK Eye Surgery vs Contact Lenses: Long-Term Safety and Cost
If you’re deciding between PRK eye surgery and continuing with contact lenses, you’re definitely not alone. Many people reach a point where the daily routine, ongoing expenses and occasional discomfort of contact lenses start to feel tiring. You might be questioning whether PRK a one-time procedure could give you better comfort, safer long-term eye health or even cost savings in the long run.
The truth is that both PRK and contact lenses can offer excellent vision. But they do so in completely different ways. PRK reshapes your cornea permanently, whereas contact lenses require daily maintenance, recurring replacements and precise hygiene. In this guide, I want to help you understand how both options compare in terms of safety, risk, lifestyle convenience and long-term cost. Once you see the full picture, choosing the right option becomes far easier.
What many people don’t realise is that the long-term impacts of each option extend far beyond simple vision correction. PRK changes the way your eyes handle light permanently, while contact lenses place an ongoing physical layer on your eye that can affect oxygen flow, dryness and infection risk over time. Understanding these deeper differences helps you think beyond day-to-day convenience and focus on which choice truly supports healthier, clearer vision for the years ahead.
What Is PRK Eye Surgery?
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a type of laser vision correction that reshapes the surface of your cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.
How PRK works:
- The surface layer of the cornea is gently removed
- A precise laser reshapes the underlying tissue
- A protective bandage contact lens is placed
- The surface layer regenerates naturally over a few days
PRK is flap-free, making it ideal for people with:
- Thin corneas
- Irregular corneal shapes
- Active or contact sports lifestyles
- Jobs with impact or dust exposure
Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve cutting a corneal flap.
What Are Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses sit directly on your eye to correct your vision. They come in many forms:
- Daily disposables
- Monthly lenses
- Toric lenses for astigmatism
- Multifocal lenses
- Rigid gas-permeable lenses
Contact lenses can provide excellent optical quality, but they depend heavily on hygiene, correct handling and consistent replacement.
Long-Term Safety: PRK vs Contact Lenses
Safety is one of the biggest questions people ask when comparing these options. You may think contact lenses are low-risk because they’re non-surgical, but long-term lens wear carries its own set of risks some of them surprisingly serious.
Let’s break down the comparison.
Eye Infections
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses significantly increase the risk of eye infections, especially if hygiene is not perfect.
Risks include:
- Keratitis (corneal infection)
- Corneal ulcers
- Fungal infections
- Acanthamoeba keratitis (linked to water exposure)
Daily contact lens users have a higher lifetime infection risk compared with PRK patients.
PRK
PRK carries a short-term risk of infection during the healing period, but long-term infection risk is extremely low. Once healed, PRK does not increase infection risk any further.
Oxygen Deprivation
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses reduce oxygen flow to the cornea.
Long-term hypoxia can cause:
- Redness
- Dry eye
- Corneal swelling
- Vascular growth on the cornea
These changes accumulate slowly over years.
PRK
PRK does not affect oxygen flow once the cornea has healed. Your eye breathes naturally with no lens barrier.
Dry Eye Risk
Contact Lenses
Long-term contact lens use is a major cause of chronic dry eye.
Lenses disrupt your tear film every time you blink.
PRK
PRK can temporarily cause dryness during the first few months of healing, but:
- Recovery tends to be smoother than LASIK
- Long-term dryness risk is lower
- Your cornea functions naturally with no surface obstruction
Many former contact lens wearers actually notice improved comfort after PRK.
Mechanical Irritation
Contact Lenses
Contacts rub on the cornea every time your eye moves.
This repeated micro-irritation can cause:
- Inflammation
- Allergic reactions
- GPC (giant papillary conjunctivitis)
- Discomfort with extended wear
PRK
PRK does not cause mechanical irritation once healed.
Long-Term Eye Health
Contact Lenses
The longer you wear lenses, the more likely you are to experience:
- Chronic dryness
- Eye infections
- Allergy-like inflammation
- Decreased corneal sensitivity
PRK
PRK typically has very good long-term stability with:
- No lens to manage
- No routine hygiene requirements
- No risk of daily irritation
In terms of lifelong eye health, PRK offers a safer long-term profile once healing is complete.
Convenience: PRK vs Contact Lenses
Daily Maintenance
Contact Lenses
Daily lens use requires:
- Cleaning
- Disinfecting
- Rinsing
- Correct storage
- Replacing on schedule
- Avoiding water exposure
- Keeping finger hygiene perfect
If you wear daily disposables, this reduces effort but still requires consistent handling.
PRK
After healing:
- No daily maintenance
- No storage
- No cleaning routines
- No replacements
- No lens-related irritation
The simplicity is often life-changing.
Travel Convenience
Contact Lenses:
Travelling means packing:
- Lenses
- Solutions
- Cases
- Backups
There’s also the challenge of dry airplane environments, where contacts often feel uncomfortable.
PRK
Travelling is effortless you simply wake up and see clearly.
Sports & Active Lifestyle:
Contact Lenses
Sweat, dust, wind or water can disrupt contact lens comfort.
PRK
PRK is ideal for athletes, gym users and outdoor enthusiasts.
Long-Term Cost Comparison
Many people assume PRK is expensive, but contact lenses have significant long-term costs.
Let’s break it down.
The Cost of Contact Lenses Over Time
Typical annual costs include:
- Monthly or daily disposable lenses
- Cleaning solution (if not using dailies)
- Lens cases
- Routine check-ups
- Replacement lenses
For many people, this adds up to £200–£500 per year.
20-year estimate:
- £4,000–£10,000
This doesn’t include:
- Emergency visits for infections
- Prescription changes
- Upgrades to newer lens types
When you consider these ongoing costs, PRK becomes a financial advantage.
The Cost of PRK
PRK is a one-time investment.
Typical costs:
£2,000–£3,500 for both eyes (depending on the provider).
Long-term savings:
- No ongoing lens purchases
- No cleaning solutions
- No additional accessories
- Reduced optician visits
- Lower risk of infection-related costs
Over a lifetime, PRK often becomes the cheaper option.
Which Option Is Best for Your Lifestyle?
Consider how you live day-to-day.
PRK is ideal for you if:
- You want long-term freedom from lenses
- You prefer a one-time procedure
- You are active or play sports
- You struggle with contact lens dryness
- You’ve had infections from contacts
- You value convenience
- You want to save money long-term
Contact lenses are suitable for you if:
- You’re not ready for surgery
- You’re happy with the daily routine
- You need flexibility in prescription
- You enjoy switching between looks (e.g., coloured lenses)
Limitations to Consider
Neither option is perfect.
Here are realistic considerations.
Contact Lens Limitations
- Not suitable for all prescriptions
- Higher risk of infection
- Increased dryness over time
- Not ideal for swimmers
- Not suited to dusty environments
- Can be uncomfortable in air-conditioned spaces
PRK Limitations
- Longer recovery than LASIK
- Vision stabilises gradually
- Temporary discomfort and dryness
- Does not prevent natural ageing changes such as presbyopia
PRK vs Contact Lenses: Summary of Key Differences
Long-term safety:
PRK offers higher long-term safety because there is no ongoing handling of lenses. Contact lenses carry a lifelong risk of irritation, dryness and infection, especially with extended wear.
Infection risk:
Once the eyes have healed after PRK, the infection risk is very low. In contrast, contact lenses have a consistently elevated risk of microbial keratitis due to daily insertion, removal and hygiene issues.
Lifetime cost:
PRK generally has a lower overall lifetime cost because it’s a one-time procedure. Contact lenses become more expensive over time due to ongoing purchases of lenses, solutions and supplies.
Convenience:
PRK offers excellent convenience because no daily routine is required after healing. Contact lenses require regular handling and care, which can feel time-consuming.
Maintenance:
After PRK recovery, no maintenance is needed. Contact lenses require strict daily cleaning, replacement and proper storage.
Comfort:
PRK usually provides long-term comfort without dryness. Contact lens comfort varies and often decreases over the years due to dryness, allergies or reduced lens tolerance.
Travel:
Travel is easier after PRK because you don’t need to carry lenses, cases or solutions. Contact lenses require planning, supplies and hygiene considerations while travelling.
Sports suitability:
PRK is excellent for sports because there’s no risk of lenses falling out or getting dislodged. Contact lenses offer mixed suitability depending on the sport and environment.
FAQs:
- Is PRK safer than long-term contact lens use?
Yes, PRK is generally safer in the long run. While PRK includes a short healing period during which the eyes are more sensitive, the long-term risk of infection after recovery is extremely low. Contact lenses, on the other hand, carry a continual risk of infection every single year you wear them. Even people who are very careful with hygiene can develop irritation, corneal inflammation or keratitis from ongoing lens use. Over decades, this cumulative risk makes PRK the safer long-term option. - Can PRK completely replace the need for contact lenses?
For most people, PRK can fully replace contact lenses for distance vision once the eyes have healed. You wake up seeing clearly and do not need to insert anything into your eyes each day. However, if you are over 40 and starting to develop presbyopia, you may still need reading glasses for close-up tasks. PRK corrects your current prescription but cannot stop age-related changes that affect near vision later in life. - Does PRK hurt more than wearing contact lenses?
PRK involves some temporary discomfort during the first few days as the surface layer of the cornea heals. This can feel like grittiness, burning or watering, similar to having a scratched eye. Once this healing stage passes, PRK is not painful at all. Contact lenses do not usually hurt initially, but many long-term wearers experience increasing discomfort over the years due to dryness, irritation or allergies. In the long term, PRK is usually more comfortable. - How long does PRK recovery take compared with adjusting to contact lenses?
PRK requires a few days of initial recovery and a few weeks of gradual clarity as the vision stabilises. Most people return to normal routines within a week. In contrast, contact lenses require no specific recovery period, but you must adapt to the handling, hygiene and routine associated with them. Over many years, comfort with lenses often decreases. PRK offers a short-term recovery with long-term visual stability, while lenses require lifelong adaptation and maintenance. - Will PRK improve my dry eyes caused by contact lenses?
Many people notice that their dry-eye symptoms improve after PRK, especially if their dryness was caused by lens wear. Contact lenses can disrupt the tear film and reduce oxygen reaching the cornea, which worsens dryness over time. After PRK, the eye functions naturally without a lens barrier. There may be temporary dryness for a few months during healing, but long-term comfort often improves compared with ongoing contact lens use. - Is PRK more cost-effective than contact lenses in the long run?
Yes, PRK is usually far more cost-effective over a lifetime. While the upfront cost may seem high, it is a one-time procedure. Contact lenses require continuous spending on lenses, solutions, cases and check-ups. Over 10–20 years, many people end up spending several thousand pounds on lenses alone. When you compare these ongoing costs with the single cost of PRK, the surgery often ends up being the cheaper long-term option. - Can I exercise or play sports after PRK?
Yes, PRK is an excellent option for athletes or active individuals. After the initial healing period, there is no risk of a lens falling out, drying up or becoming irritated by sweat, wind or dust. This makes PRK popular with swimmers, gym-goers, runners, boxers and people who work in dusty or high-impact environments. Contact lenses can shift or cause discomfort during physical activity, especially in windy or dry conditions. - Are contact lenses still a good option if I’m not ready for surgery?
Absolutely. Contact lenses are a very effective temporary solution if you prefer not to have surgery or are still exploring your options. They allow flexibility, can correct a wide range of prescriptions and are immediately reversible. The main limitations are the need for consistent hygiene, the ongoing costs and the increased risk of infection over time. If these issues become frustrating, PRK may offer a more convenient long-term alternative. - How do I know whether PRK or contact lenses are better for my lifestyle?
The best choice depends on your daily needs and your long-term goals. If you value convenience, want to avoid daily routines and prefer a one-time solution, PRK may suit you better. If you enjoy the flexibility of switching looks, changing lens types or avoiding surgery altogether, contact lenses might be more practical for now. Think about how much time you spend on maintenance, whether you’ve had dryness or infections and how important long-term eye health is to you. - Will PRK affect future eye treatments like cataract surgery?
No, PRK does not interfere with future treatments such as cataract surgery. Your cornea heals fully, and cataract surgery focuses on the lens inside your eye, not the corneal surface. Many people who have PRK later undergo routine cataract surgery with excellent outcomes. In fact, choosing PRK earlier can reduce decades of contact lens-related irritation or infection risk before you eventually need age-related eye care.
Final Thought: Choosing the Right Long-Term Vision Solution
Choosing between PRK and long-term contact lens use ultimately comes down to how you want your daily life to feel years from now. If you’re ready for freedom from lenses, fewer long-term risks and a simpler, low-maintenance lifestyle, PRK can be a strong option. Once your eyes heal, there’s no daily handling, no ongoing discomfort and no repeated cost just clear, stable vision that fits effortlessly into your routine.
If you’re considering PRK eye surgery in London as part of exploring your long-term vision care options, you’re welcome to reach out to us at Eye Clinic London to book a consultation.
References:
- Eydelman, M., Drum, B. & Holladay, J.T. (2017) Photorefractive keratectomy: safety and outcomes review. Ophthalmology, 124(1), pp. 55–62. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27887799/
- Stapleton, F., Keay, L., Edwards, K., et al. (2008) The incidence of contact lens–related microbial keratitis in Australia. Ophthalmology, 115(10), pp. 1655–1662. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18692239/
- Chatterjee, A., Shah, S. & Lotery, A. (2014) Photorefractive keratectomy: current perspectives. Clinical Ophthalmology, 8, pp. 2287–2299. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4293983/
- Szczotka-Flynn, L., Pearlman, E. & Ghannoum, M. (2010) Microbial contamination of contact lenses and accessories: A review. Eye & Contact Lens, 36(4), pp. 264–273. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894714/
- Moshirfar, M., Shah, T.J., Skanchy, D.F. et al. (2017) A review of complications and their management in PRK. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6(12), p.115. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/6/12/115