LASIK vs PRK vs ICL: Complete Comparison Guide 2025

LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, involves the following process during the procedure:

The surgeon uses a laser to create a very thin flap on the surface of your cornea. After that flap is gently folded back, the tissue underneath can now be treated. A second laser is used to resurface the corneal tissue, making the necessary corrections to your vision. The flap can now be returned to its original position as it naturally sticks back without any stitches.

Clearview utilizes the iDesign Refractive Studio, a system that captures over 1,200 measurements of your eye, designs a personalized treatment map specifically for you, and corrects not only your basic prescription but also captures any subtle imperfections in your eye that may cause glare, halos, or blurry vision at night. The result is a clearer, sharper vision that is customized to your individual eye structure.

PRK was developed before LASIK, and instead of creating a flap, your surgeon will gently remove the outer layer of your cornea to access the underlying tissue. A laser will be used to then reshape your tissue. There is no flap, so your outer layer heals back naturally within a week or two.

During your recovery, we will put a protective contact lens on your eye to aid in your comfort while healing and recovering. The recovery time is longer than LASIK, but the end outcome is very similar. PRK works well for certain situations when your corneas are thinner, or you are particularly active.

ICL takes an entirely different approach. Instead of reshaping your cornea, we place a thin lens inside your eye, positioned between your natural lens and your iris. Think of it as a permanent contact lens that stays in place without any maintenance.

The surgery involves a small 2.5–3mm opening at the edge of your cornea. Your surgeon carefully folds the lens, slides it through this tiny opening, and positions it inside your eye. The opening is so small that it typically doesn’t need stitches and closes on its own. The lens unfolds inside your eye and stays there permanently, giving you continuous vision correction.

The latest EVO version offers even more precision and fewer complications than earlier designs.

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<thead style="background:#f2f2f2;">

<tr>

<th>What You Need to Know</th>

<th>LASIK (iDesign)</th>

<th>PRK</th>

<th>ICL (EVO)</th>

</tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>How it works</td>

<td>Corneal flap, laser reshape</td>

<td>Surface removal, laser reshape</td>

<td>Lens implant inside the eye</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Surgery time</td>

<td>About 15 minutes per eye</td>

<td>About 15 minutes per eye</td>

<td>20–30 minutes per eye</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>When you’ll see better</td>

<td>Hours to next morning</td>

<td>3–7 days</td>

<td>2–3 days</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Until vision settles</td>

<td>1–3 months</td>

<td>3–6 months</td>

<td>3 months</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Back to normal activities</td>

<td>3–7 days</td>

<td>7–14 days</td>

<td>7–10 days</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Cornea thickness needed</td>

<td>500–520 microns minimum</td>

<td>Works with thinner (as low as 460 microns)</td>

<td>No requirement</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Best for</td>

<td>Mild to moderate prescriptions, quick recovery</td>

<td>Thin corneas, active people, sports</td>

<td>High prescriptions, thin corneas, reversibility</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Can you undo it?</td>

<td>No, permanent</td>

<td>No, permanent</td>

<td>Yes, can be removed</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Pain during surgery</td>

<td>Minimal</td>

<td>Minimal</td>

<td>Minimal</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Discomfort after</td>

<td>Mild, mostly dryness</td>

<td>Moderate to significant (3–5 days)</td>

<td>Minimal</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Dry eye risk</td>

<td>Moderate to higher (5–10%)</td>

<td>Lower than LASIK</td>

<td>Very low</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Night vision</td>

<td>Good with iDesign</td>

<td>Good</td>

<td>Excellent</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Fixes nearsightedness up to</td>

<td>–10.00</td>

<td>–10.00</td>

<td>–20.00</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Fixes farsightedness up to</td>

<td>+6.00</td>

<td>+6.00</td>

<td>Limited options</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Fixes astigmatism up to</td>

<td>±6.00</td>

<td>±6.00</td>

<td>±6.00 (with Toric)</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Age limits</td>

<td>18+</td>

<td>18+</td>

<td>21–45</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Long-term stability</td>

<td>Excellent</td>

<td>Excellent</td>

<td>Excellent</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Touch-ups needed?</td>

<td>Sometimes (5–10%)</td>

<td>Sometimes (5–10%)</td>

<td>Rarely</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Cost range (US)</td>

<td>$1,500–$3,000 per eye</td>

<td>$1,500–$3,000 per eye</td>

<td>$4,000–$7,000 per eye</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>Built-in UV protection</td>

<td>No</td>

<td>No</td>

<td>Yes</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

• You see clearly fast, often by the next morning
• Minimal time off work; most people resume regular activity within a week
• iDesign technology corrects not just your prescription but subtle eye imperfections
• Produces excellent, stable results
• Proven track record over many decades
• Works well for mild to moderate prescriptions
• Once healed, your cornea stays stable for life

• Creates a flap that can, rarely, shift or cause problems
• Moderate to high risk of dry eyes afterward (about 5–10% have lasting dryness)
• Permanent can’t be reversed if you change your mind
• Some people notice glare or halos around lights, especially at night (though iDesign reduces this)
• Won’t work if your prescription is very high or your corneas are thin
• Not suitable if you participate in contact sports with high injury risk

• Perfect for thin corneas that can’t handle LASIK
• No flap means no risk of flap problems
• Excellent for athletes and people in contact sports
• Popular with military and law enforcement
• Actually causes fewer dry eye problems than LASIK
• Final vision is just as good as LASIK
• Can treat some irregular cornea shapes better than LASIK

• Recovery is slower, takes 3–7 days to see clearly
• Can’t drive immediately; usually need 1–2 weeks before you can drive safely
• Significant discomfort for the first 3–5 days; pain medication helps
• Wears a protective contact lens for about a week, which causes blurred vision
• Takes longer before you can do strenuous activities
• Vision can change and fluctuate during healing
• Not ideal if you need a clear vision quickly

• Handles very high prescriptions that LASIK and PRK can’t fix
• Doesn’t change your cornea at all, keeps it natural
• Dry eye risk is minimal
• Produces excellent night vision
• Can be removed or replaced if your vision changes, technology improves, or cataracts develop
• Vision improves within 2–3 days
• Built-in UV protection for your internal eye structures
• Body accepts the Collamer material without rejection
• 96% of patients get 20/40 vision or better in the first year

• Costs 2–3 times more than LASIK or PRK
• FDA only approves it for ages 21–45
• Limited options if you need farsightedness correction
• Any eye surgery carries some risk
• Small chance (1–2%) of cataract development over 10 years
• Rare risk of damage to the cornea’s inner lining
• Eye pressure can go up temporarily in the first week (we monitor this)
• Slightly higher retinal detachment risk for very nearsighted eyes
• Some surgeons recommend a preparatory procedure a few weeks before placement

Why this matters: Your cornea needs enough tissue to either be safely reshaped or remain structurally strong.

• LASIK needs: At least 520 microns is ideal. We make sure there’s enough thickness left after treatment.
• PRK works with Corneas as thin as 460 microns since we don’t create a flap.
• ICL doesn’t care: Corneal thickness doesn’t affect ICL at all.
• Bottom line: If someone told you your corneas are too thin for LASIK, PRK, or ICL, it might still work.

• Mild to moderate nearsightedness (–1.00 to –6.00): LASIK works great.
• Moderate to high nearsightedness (–6.00 to –10.00): LASIK or PRK may be an option, but we carefully check your corneal thickness.
• Very high nearsightedness (–10.00 or more): ICL is typically your best bet, since laser procedures would remove too much cornea.
• Farsightedness (+1.00 to +6.00): LASIK and PRK both handle this well. ICL options are limited.
• Astigmatism: All three procedures correct astigmatism up to ±6.00.

• Desk job, mostly indoors: LASIK is your go-to for fast recovery, quick results.
• Active, play sports, martial arts: PRK eliminates flap risk. ICL is also excellent since nothing can get displaced.
• Military, law enforcement, high-contact job: PRK or ICL preferred, no flap to worry about.
• Spends lots of time outdoors: ICL’s built-in UV protection is a real advantage.

• Need to see clearly ASAP: LASIK, most people see well by morning.

• Can wait a week or more: PRK is fine; the slower recovery is worth it for the benefits.

• Comfortable with moderate timeline: ICL takes a few days for noticeable improvement, then a week to near-normal vision.

• Want it done once, permanently: LASIK or PRK, the corneal reshaping doesn’t change.

• Want flexibility down the road: ICL is your advantage. If your vision changes, technology improves, or cataracts develop, the lens can be removed or replaced. Great for younger patients who might want options later.

• Already have dry eye? ICL is the safest option, as it doesn’t affect tear production.

• Worried about developing dry eye: ICL carries almost no risk. If you prefer a laser, PRK causes fewer dry-eye issues than LASIK.

• No dry eye history: All three are viable options.

• Want the most affordable option: LASIK and PRK are significantly cheaper ($1,500–$3,000 per eye).
• Can invest more for specific benefits: ICL costs more ($4,000–$7,000 per eye) but offers unique advantages if you have high myopia, thin corneas, or want reversibility.
• Financing available: Clearview offers payment plans to make procedures accessible.

• You’re 18 or older with a stable prescription for at least a year
• Your corneas are healthy and thick enough (520+ microns)
• Your prescription is mild to moderate
• You want to see clearly within hours and resume activities quickly
• You don’t have significant dry eye issues
• Your eyes are otherwise healthy
• You have realistic expectations

• You’re 18 or older with a stable prescription for at least a year
• Your corneas are thinner than ideal for LASIK (460–520 microns)
• You’re very active or do contact sports
• You work in the military, law enforcement, or a similar field
• You can handle recovery, taking 3–7 days
• Your prescription is mild to moderate
• You want to avoid any flap-related risks

• You’re between 21 and 45 with a stable prescription for at least a year
• You have moderate to severe nearsightedness (–3.00 to –20.00)
• Your corneas are thin or irregular
• Laser surgery doesn’t give you enough correction
• You’re prone to dry eyes
• You want excellent night vision
• You value the ability to reverse the procedure if needed
• Your eye’s interior chamber is deep enough (your doctor confirms this)
• Your cornea’s inner lining is healthy
• You’re committed to follow-up visits

At Clearview, we prioritize patient safety. We blend advanced technology with real-world clinical experience to achieve the best results for you.

• iDesign for LASIK: Using an FDA-approved system, we can map your eye in 1,200 points of extraordinary detail. From there, we create a treatment plan customized to your eye that corrects your prescribed vision as well as the subtle imperfections that lead to glare or fuzzy vision at night. The end product is measurably superior in sharpness and night vision than a typical LASIK procedure.

• Advanced technology: Our femtosecond lasers allow for precise flap creation and excimer lasers allow for very accurate corneal reshaping. We take a careful surgical technique when positioning the ICL lens as well.

• Dr. Feldman's credentials: Dr. Sandy T. Feldman is nationally recognized for her expertise in refractive surgery. She has been named by Forbes as a Top 10 LASIK Provider. She takes the time, and a personalized approach in understanding your unique circumstances and goals.

• Thorough evaluation before surgery: All patients are evaluated with complete tests, including corneal mapping, thickness measurements, wavefront mapping, and a comprehensive eye health examination. This ensures that you have been examined in detail, allowing for those who are not suitable candidates, and gives you a sense of, what to expect.

• Follow-up care: We allow for follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing, to manage any associated side effects, as well to support you in getting the best overall results possible. We will be with you throughout this entire process.

You will recover from LASIK the fastest; most patients will see well within 24 hours. ICL requires 2–3 days for the recovery phase. PRK takes the longest, although most patients have functional vision 3–7 days post-op and more stable vision in 3–6 months.

Yes. All three procedures can fix astigmatism. LASIK, PRK, and ICL (using Toric ICL for higher amounts) can fix up to around ±6.00 D of astigmatism. Your surgeon will indicate the best option for your specific case at your visit.

ICL can be considered the safest because it does not affect the production of tears. If you are looking for laser surgery, PRK has the least amount of dry-eye symptoms, compared to LASIK. The iDesign LASIK may have fewer complications than standard LASIK as well.

Yes, ICL generally is 2–3 times as expensive ($4,000–$7,000 per eye) than LASIK or PRK ($1,500–$3,000 per eye). However, KCL might be your only viable option for individuals with very high prescriptions or thin corneas, which makes it worth it. VCL also offers flexibility long term because it is reversible.

From LASIK to PRK or ICL: This is rarely needed. If LASIK needs an enhancement, we usually do an LASIK enhancement. Adding ICL over a reshaped cornea is complex.

From PRK to ICL: Once your cornea has been reshaped from a PRK, the addition of an ICL carries a high risk.

From ICL to LASIK or PRK: If this happens, we remove the ICL, which returns your cornea back to its original shape. Removal does have added costs and risk, so you should consider carefully in the future if ICL is right for you before making the decision.

All three are proven to succeed with the right patients. LASIK: 95%+ achieve 20/20 vision or better; PRK: 95%+ achieve 20/20 vision or better (same as LASIK long term); ICL: 96%+ achieve 20/40 vision or better, 94%+ maintain that after three years.

The structural changes to your eye from LASIK or PRK are permanent; however, you could still go through age-related changes, i.e., presbyopia (difficulty seeing up close after age 40), regardless of having undergone surgery. The ICL can be adjusted or removed if you have a significant change in your vision after surgery.

LASIK: Temporary dry eyes (common), mild glare or halos (usually temporary), fluctuating vision during healing (resolves in weeks). PRK: Significant discomfort for 3–5 days, light sensitivity, blurred vision during healing (gradually improves). ICL: Minimal post-op discomfort, rare glare or halos, temporary eye pressure elevation in the first week (monitored and managed).

LASIK and PRK: Permanent corneal changes; stable for life unless age-related presbyopia develops.

ICL: The lens stays in place indefinitely, giving you permanent correction. It can be removed or replaced if needed.

The right vision correction procedure depends on your specific eyes, prescription, lifestyle, and what matters most to you. There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

Whether you have thin corneas, a high prescription, an active lifestyle, or want the option to reverse your choice someday, there’s a procedure designed for your situation. At Clearview, we take time to understand what you need and figure out which option makes the most sense.

Start with a thorough evaluation with Dr. Sandy T. Feldman or Dr. Michael L. Mathison. During this visit, we’ll check your eye health, learn about your lifestyle and expectations, and determine which procedure, like LASIK, PRK, or ICL, is the best fit for you.

Phone: (858) 452-3937 Office Hours: - Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM - Saturday: 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM Location: San Diego, California We’re here to help you see clearly and live your life without the burden of glasses or contacts. Let’s get you on the path to visual freedom.