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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1122 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

LASIK experience · 2025

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 anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2017

A first-person LASIK account at 8 years described the result. Topics included dry eye, ghosting, double vision. 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 · 8 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting, double vision
Both eyes · 8 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
TLC Kitchener

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 D, -3.75 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 values20/20, 20/25, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, haze, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 5 months 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 D, -0.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 30 days described the result. Topics included glare, ghosting, 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 · 30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, ghosting, haze
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.5 D, -5 D, -0.25 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
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

Ten days after SMILE, a London patient with treated blepharitis reported nearly perfect vision and strong satisfaction. Morning dryness, slight starbursts and screen fatigue remained but were manageable.

Location
United Kingdom

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-3.75 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Astigmatism-0.75 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
BlepharitisImproved with preoperative treatment
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Residual symptomsMorning dryness, slight starbursts and screen fatigue
Both eyes · Day 10 · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -5.5 D, -0.25 D, -0.75 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
Symptoms discussedghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 4 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/40, 20/50, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.75 D, -2.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/40, 20/50, 20/20
4 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
25

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.5 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 values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedlight sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 4 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare. 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 · 4 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.5 D, -7 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
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 year described the result. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28
Clinic
Luxmed Mavit

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 discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A 35-year-old with pre-existing dry eye reported 20/20 vision 1.5 weeks after SMILE. Reading for hours could trigger blur and dryness, but everyday function returned quickly and the early assessment was highly positive.

Age
35
Location
United States

Reported starting point

Sphere-3.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Sphere-3.75 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Pre-existing dry eyeMarked, especially in summer
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 1.5 weeks · stated by poster
Reading-related symptomsBlur and dryness after prolonged reading
Both eyes · 1.5 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 4 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, 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 · 4 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
4 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included double vision, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
27

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.25 D, -2.5 D, +0.75 D, +1.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddouble vision, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 9 weeks described the result. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 9 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
32
Clinic
Hamilton Eye Institute
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -3.75 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Shinagawa Lasik Center

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-30 D, -4.75 D, -4.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A 15-month SMILE account described poor right-eye acuity, residual astigmatism, ghosting, halos and glare for roughly a year, followed by marked improvement around months 14–15. Both eyes reached 6/6, though minor right-eye aberrations remained.

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity6/9
Right eye · First 12 months · stated by poster
Residual astigmatism-0.5 D
Right eye · First 12 months · stated by poster
Visual symptomsGhosting, halos, glare and poor night vision
Both eyes · First year · stated by poster
Visual acuity6/6
Both eyes · 15 months · stated by poster
Residual symptomsMinor higher-order aberrations
Right eye · 15 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2024

Six months after ICL, the poster reported roughly 20/20 vision without complications and described the result very positively. The main difficulty reported was anxiety before surgery rather than postoperative visual symptoms.

Age
39
Location
United States

Reported starting point

Sphere-8 D
stated by poster
Sphere-5 D
stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuityApproximately 20/20
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
ComplicationsNone reported
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25. Topics included halos, starbursts, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
41

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.5 D, -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 values20/20, 20/25
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 9 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
27
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
9 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster