Ocular Evidence
Community experiences

What people report after refractive surgery

Search structured details from individual public forum accounts. These are anecdotes, not clinical evidence or estimates of how often an outcome occurs.

Read this layer differently from study results. Posts are self-reported, selectively shared and may be incomplete or inaccurate. We never combine them into complication, satisfaction or success rates.
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434 reviewed experiences

Only curator-approved records with a currently verified source appear here. No usernames or copied post bodies are published.

Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person EVO ICL account described the first 24 hours after surgery. The source reported a baseline prescription of -8.5 D in each eye, pressure returning from 28 to 15 after treatment, and next-day acuity of 20/15 right and 20/20 left. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.5 D in each eye
Both eyes · stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 24 hours · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15 right, 20/20 left
24 hours · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedMinimal dry eye and temporary light sensitivity
Both eyes · 24 hours · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at two months described severe postoperative dry eye under specialist care. The source reported reduced corneal sensitivity, reduced tear break-up time, and discussion of Prokera after several attempted treatments. The source did not give an overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedSevere dry eye and reduced corneal sensitivity
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at six weeks described an initially sharp result followed by early regression and fluctuating blur. The poster reported roughly -8.75 to -9.00 D before surgery, 20/20 vision during the first week, and a later manifest refraction of -1.25 and -1.75 D. The overall result was mixed.

Age
31

Reported starting point

Reported prescription valuesApproximately -8.75 to -9.00 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Both eyes · First week · stated by poster
Reported postoperative refraction-1.25 D and -1.75 D
6 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedDry eye, halos, starbursts, fluctuating blur, and regression
Both eyes · 6 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2023

A first-person SMILE account at 3 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.25 D, -1.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10, 20/20, 20/15
3 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 4 months described the result. Topics included dry eye, haze. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, haze
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 20 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 20 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 20 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 19 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
50

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 19 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
19 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, floaters
Both eyes · 19 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 30 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25, 20/40, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/25, 20/40, 20/15
30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 years described the result. Topics included dry eye. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+3.5 D, -0.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 10 days described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included dry eye, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
10 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/30, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
34
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D, -7.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/30, 20/20
6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/13, 20/16. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D, -3.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/13, 20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, night-vision difficulty. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 D, -0.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 6/26, 20/16. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/26, 20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
24
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 3 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
19

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 11 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/40, 20/22, 20/28, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/40, 20/22, 20/28, 20/20
11 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 11 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 D, -1.25 D, -0.75 D, -1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 7 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 7 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 7 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 11 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -1.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D, -3 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/10, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
26
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/10, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster