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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1160 reviewed experiences

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

Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 8 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -6 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 · 8 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
8 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 8 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/12, 6/9. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, 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 values6/12, 6/9
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, 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 3 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/25, 20/30. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
22

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 · 3 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/25, 20/30
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2023

After approximately 1.5 years of severe near-vision loss in bright light, ghosting, double vision and persistent ICL rings, the poster underwent lens exchange, repositioning and ultimately explantation. One month after removal they were back in glasses and beginning to drive again.

Device
EVO+ ICL

Reported results and symptoms

Persistent symptomsNear-vision loss in bright light, ghosting, double vision and constant ICL rings
Both eyes · After implantation · stated by poster
Lens exchangeReplaced with larger lenses because of low vault
Both eyes · About 13 months · stated by poster
Lens repositioningDid not resolve ghosting
Right eye · About 16 months · stated by poster
Lens removalBoth ICLs removed
Both eyes · About 17 months · stated by poster
After explantationBack in glasses; short-distance driving resumed; eyes still dry
Both eyes · 1 month after removal · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

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 halos, starbursts, ghosting. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, ghosting
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2024

At slightly over five months after EVO ICL, the poster reported a substantial residual refractive difference between eyes and persistent left-eye visual-quality problems, describing the overall result as strongly regretted.

Device
STAAR EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Glasses sphere-8.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Glasses cylinder-1.25 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Glasses axis100 degrees
Right eye · stated by poster
Glasses sphere-13.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Glasses cylinder-1 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Glasses axis135 degrees
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Residual sphere0 D
Right eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual cylinder0.5 D
Right eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual sphere-0.5 D
Left eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual cylinder1 D
Left eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual axis40 degrees
Left eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Overall assessmentStrong regret and reduced visual quality
Both eyes · About 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2025

An ICL account initially described severe rings, glare, ghosting and screen difficulty plus -1.5 D of cylinder in both eyes. Symptoms became easier to tolerate over six months, but glasses were still used for clarity and the poster remained dissatisfied with the tradeoff.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported results and symptoms

Residual cylinder-1.5 D
Right eye · About 9 weeks · stated by poster
Residual cylinder-1.5 D
Left eye · About 9 weeks · stated by poster
Eye pressure27 mmHg
Both eyes · Early recovery · stated by poster
Visual symptomsPersistent rings, glare and halos; less distressing than initially
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Additional correctionGlasses used for clearer vision
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, starbursts. 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 discussedhalos, starbursts
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
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 blur or fluctuating vision, 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 discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · 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 glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 D, -1 D, -7.5 D, -1.5 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
Symptoms discussedglare
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 14 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Vati Goz

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.75 D, -3.5 D, -4 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 · 14 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 14 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

Six weeks after SMILE for high myopia, the poster described a very positive recovery with crisp early distance vision. Computer-distance focus fluctuated for roughly ten days and minor halos and dryness were noted early.

Age
35
Location
United Kingdom
Clinic
London Vision Clinic

Reported starting point

Sphere-8.5 D
stated by poster
Sphere-5.75 D
stated by poster
Corneal thickness530 µm
Right eye · stated by poster
Corneal thickness533 µm
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Computer-distance recoveryFluctuating focus before becoming crisp
Both eyes · First 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL 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, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 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, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2020

A first-person LASIK account at 5 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
23

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 D, -3 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
5 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · 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. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
LASIK MD

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.5 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
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 5 days described the result. Topics included haze, 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 · 5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhaze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

Ten days after EVO ICL for very high myopia and astigmatism, the poster reported 20/20 in each eye and 20/15 binocularly. Early scratchiness, dryness, light sensitivity and halos were improving rapidly.

Age
29
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-10.75 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-7.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
AstigmatismSignificant
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Monocular visual acuity20/20 each eye
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Binocular visual acuity20/15
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Early symptomsDryness and light sensitivity nearly resolved; halos improving
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1.5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
43

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1.5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1.5 months · 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 20/10, 20/30, 20/25. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 D, -1 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 values20/10, 20/30, 20/25
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 anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

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

Clinic
Skyline Vision Clinic

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · 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. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -0.25 D, -4.75 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster