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 anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 3 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/10. 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-5.5 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 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/10
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2017

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

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. 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 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
24
Clinic
Holhos Clinic
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+3.5 D, +4.5 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 discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.75 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 discussedregression
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 20/70, 20/40, 20/25, 20/20. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
The LASIK Vision Institute

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 values20/70, 20/40, 20/25, 20/20
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

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, 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 discussedhalos, haze
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

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 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
35

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 D, -3.5 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 values20/15, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, haze, 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 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, regression. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.5 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
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

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

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 D, -6 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, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 30 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 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 · 30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 2 years described the result. Topics included night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussednight-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 2 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1 day described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/30, 20/20, 20/25. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-20 D, -10 D, -9 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/30, 20/20, 20/25
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -0.25 D, -0.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
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 anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15, 10/10. Topics included 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15, 10/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

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 20/15. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.75 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 values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.75 D, -3 D, -8 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
6 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 6 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/40, 20/20. Topics included halos, 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 · 6 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/40, 20/20
6 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 days · 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 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 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 values20/20
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 2 days described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
18

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2019

A first-person LASIK account at 6 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
29

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1 D, -2 D, -6 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 years · 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. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-12 D, -13 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, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

Two days after EVO ICL for high myopia, the poster reported 20/20 binocular acuity and very little glare or halo disturbance. Right-eye inflammation caused temporary 20/40 blur while the left eye measured 20/20, but satisfaction was high.

Location
United States
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-8.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-9.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Left eye · Day 1 · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/40
Right eye · Day 1 · stated by poster
Binocular visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · Day 1 · stated by poster
HalosVery faint and rarely noticed
Both eyes · Day 2 · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
38
Device
Contoura

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 values20/20, 20/15, 20/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster