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

LASIK experience · 2023

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

Device
EVO ICL

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, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, floaters
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2023

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

Age
24
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 D, -4 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

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

LASIK experience · 2023

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

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -7.5 D, -1.5 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2023

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10, 20/20, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/40. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/40
3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2022

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

Age
37

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 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 discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 D, -4.75 D
stated by poster
Pre-existing dry eyeExplicitly reported before the procedure
Both eyes · 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 values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2022

A first-person SMILE account at 4 months described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, ghosting. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
29

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, ghosting, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account at 1 year 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 · 1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

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

Age
23
Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+5.5 D, -0.75 D, +2.75 D, +4.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
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, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2022

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.5 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, 20/15
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2022

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. 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, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2022

A first-person SMILE account at 4 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/60, 20/40. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -5 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 values20/20, 20/60, 20/40
4 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 D, -3 D, -4.5 D, -2.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, double vision, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2022

A first-person SMILE account at 25 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 10/10, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.75 D, -0.25 D, +1 D, +4 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 25 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values10/10, 20/20
25 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 25 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/30, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1 D, -1.25 D, -2 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 values20/15, 20/30, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.75 D, -5.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2022

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, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

SMILE experience · 2022

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/11, 20/13, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/11, 20/13, 20/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15, 10/10. Topics included dry eye. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.5 D, -2.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15, 10/10
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 year described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 18 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · 18 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 18 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, pain or discomfort. 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/10
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 4 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.25 D, -1.75 D, -2.75 D, -1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
4 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster