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 anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2018

A first-person LASIK account at 3 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. 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
20

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.75 D, -3.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

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

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 3 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/60, 20/40, 20/25, 20/30. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9 D, -1 D, -9.75 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 values20/60, 20/40, 20/25, 20/30
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/25. Topics included dry eye, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
29
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/25
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 3 weeks described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
Contoura

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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 day described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
25
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.25 D, -3.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. 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, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 4 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20, 20/25, 10/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.25 D, -1.25 D, -0.25 D, -8 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20, 20/25, 10/10
4 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 6/3, 6/2, 6/4, 6/5. 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.

Age
33

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.5 D, -2.75 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
Reported visual-acuity values6/3, 6/2, 6/4, 6/5
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2021

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/25
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2021

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

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/35, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, double vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.5 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/35, 20/20
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, double vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account at 10 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2014

A first-person ICL account at 7 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 10/10. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
30

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.5 D, -9 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 7 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 10/10
7 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 7 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 12 days described the result. Reported acuity included 12/10. 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

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 12 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values12/10
12 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 12 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

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

Clinic
TLC Oakville

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -0.5 D, -7.25 D, -0.75 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
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 6 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. 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 · 6 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
6 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/17. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+0.75 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 values20/15, 20/17
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -6.25 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2021

After high-prescription SMILE, the poster reached 20/20 on day one but experienced second-week corneal swelling, transient morning blur and later clinically evident dryness. At one month binocular vision remained 20/20 and the poster was still satisfied.

Reported starting point

Sphere-6.5 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Cylinder-0.75 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Cylinder-2.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · Day 1 · stated by poster
Monocular visual acuity20/25 each eye
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Binocular visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Dry eyeClinically evident despite limited discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2018

A first-person LASIK account at 3 years described the result. Topics included dry eye, pain or discomfort. 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, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 10/10. Topics included dry eye, 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 values10/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Topics included dry eye, halos. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D, -9 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 · 3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, haze, light sensitivity, 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 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
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster