Stephenson Refractive Surgery Center in Oklahoma City: LASIK and PRK From a Surgeon With Three Decades of Experience

Stephenson Refractive Surgery Center is a single-surgeon practice in Oklahoma City focused on LASIK, PRK, and related refractive procedures, operated by Dr. Stephen Stephenson, who has performed these surgeries for over 30 years. The center sits alone in Oklahoma City's refractive surgery market as a physician-owned independent practice, distinct from the multi-location chains and hospital-based programs that dominate most metropolitan areas.

What Stephenson Refractive Surgery Center actually is

The practice specializes exclusively in refractive eye surgery, meaning it does not offer general ophthalmology, routine eye exams, or other eye care services. Dr. Stephenson performs LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), and other surface-based and corneal procedures. The center also handles custom ablation procedures for patients with irregular astigmatism or other complex refractive errors. This surgical focus means referrals typically come from optometrists or other eye doctors who handle your baseline exam and candidate screening.

Services and pricing

LASIK and PRK pricing at Stephenson typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,500 per eye, depending on whether the procedure is standard or custom (wavefront-guided) and the degree of correction needed. Bladeless LASIK, which uses a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap, is standard and included in these ranges. Pricing for more complex cases involving thin corneas, significant astigmatism, or previous eye surgery may be higher; call to discuss your specific measurements and correction needs. The center accepts most major insurance plans, though refractive surgery is rarely covered by medical insurance and is almost always an out-of-pocket cost. Financing options are available through CareCredit and other third-party medical lending programs. Confirm current pricing when you call, as fees can shift seasonally.

Comparison to Oklahoma City alternatives

Oklahoma City has limited refractive surgery options. LenSx and other LASIK providers operate from commercial optometry chains or affiliated practices scattered across the metro, but most offer corporate-style programs with variable surgeon experience and high volume. Integris and OU Medicine's ophthalmology departments both offer LASIK through affiliated surgeons, but these institutional settings prioritize general ophthalmology patient loads and route refractive cases as a secondary service. Stephenson is the only independent, single-surgeon, refractive-focused practice in the city. Choose Stephenson if you want continuity with one surgeon throughout your pre-op evaluation and post-op care, or if your refractive case is complex and you want a surgeon with deep specialization. Choose a hospital system or chain provider if you prefer a large institutional setting, believe having multiple surgeons available matters, or want to bundle your refractive surgery with existing general eye care at the same location.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This practice is well-suited to patients with moderate to complex refractive errors, thin corneas that require precision, or previous eye surgery (like cataract surgery) where residual refractive error remains. Patients who value long-term relationships with their surgeon and prefer continuity of care benefit from a single-surgeon practice. It is not suited to walk-in or urgent eye care needs; this is elective surgery only. It is also not the fastest option if you want a single institution to handle your routine eye exam, refractive surgery, and general ophthalmology in one place, because Stephenson performs surgery only.

What the first visit involves

Before surgery, you will have a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation, typically at a referring optometry practice or with a collaborative ophthalmologist. This exam measures corneal topography, corneal thickness (pachymetry), pupil size, and overall refractive error to determine your candidacy. Once cleared, your first visit to Stephenson Refractive Surgery Center itself is the surgical planning and informed-consent appointment. Dr. Stephenson reviews imaging, discusses your visual goals, explains the procedure and risks, and finalizes whether you are a LASIK or PRK candidate. Surgery is scheduled separately, usually one to two weeks later. The surgical appointment itself lasts about 20 minutes total; the procedure on each eye takes three to five minutes. You must arrange a driver for that day, as you cannot drive immediately after surgery.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Stephenson Refractive Surgery Center operates by appointment only. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The practice is located in a medical office building with on-site parking. Confirm current hours and parking details when you schedule, as clinical schedules occasionally shift. Most patients are seen and discharged within one to two hours on surgery day. You will need someone to drive you home.

Stephenson Refractive Surgery Center remains the only independent, single-surgeon refractive center in Oklahoma City, and its longevity reflects both Dr. Stephenson's retention of patients across three decades and the value of focused expertise in a market otherwise dominated by multi-specialty medicine.