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

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/16. Topics included dry eye, double vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

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 values20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, double vision, 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. Reported acuity included 20/20. 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
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

Three months after SMILE Pro for high myopia, the poster reported substantially better measured vision than with preoperative glasses and described the result as exceptionally crisp. Functional visual recovery took about two weeks.

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-7 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Vision with glasses110 percent
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Measured vision180 percent
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Functional recoveryGood vision after early adaptation
Both eyes · About 14 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A poster with moderate myopia described severe burning on the first night, followed by rapid recovery, crisp vision, mild transient dryness and halos, and a strongly positive early assessment.

Location
United States

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-3.5 D
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/15 line and part of 20/10
Both eyes · First follow-up · stated by poster
First-night recoverySevere burning
Both eyes · First night · stated by poster
Early symptomsMild dry eye and slight night halos
Both eyes · Early recovery · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 8 months described the result. Topics included halos, 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 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts
Both eyes · 8 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 5 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/40, 20/30, 20/60. Topics included double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/40, 20/30, 20/60
5 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddouble vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 weeks · 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 blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
52

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+2.25 D, -6 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 discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. 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 · 1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1.5 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
33
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.75 D, -2.75 D, -9 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 · 1.5 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1.5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1.5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

TRANSPRK experience

A 22-year-old described severe burning and sharp pain, rated 9/10, on the first night after TransPRK, with swelling, tearing and light sensitivity. Pain eased the next day. By day six the bandage lenses were off and vision felt substantially better; the poster considered the procedure worthwhile despite the difficult early recovery.

Age
22

Reported starting point

Preoperative sphere-3 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative sphere-3.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Reviewed follow-upDay 6
Day 6 · stated by poster
First-night painSevere burning and sharp pain, rated 9/10
First night · stated by poster
Day-six recoveryFeeling good with improved vision after bandage-lens removal
Day 6 · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2004

A first-person LASIK account at 20 years described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
21

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

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

LASIK experience · 2024

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

Age
41
Clinic
PersonalEyes

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -6.5 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 discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 10/10, 20/20. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
20

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.75 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 values10/10, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.25 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 discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 D, -5.75 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, halos, starbursts, glare, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/30, 20/15, 6/13. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/30, 20/15, 6/13
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 day described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
30

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 discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15, 20/12. Topics included dry eye, halos. 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, 20/12
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A 20-year-old with mild-to-moderate myopia reported 20/15 vision after LASIK. First-day pain and light sensitivity gave way to brief haze and mild dryness, and the overall assessment was strongly positive.

Age
20

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-1.25 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Approximate sphere-1.75 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/15
Both eyes · stated by poster
Early symptomsMild pain, light sensitivity, haze and mild dry eye
Both eyes · First week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
24
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 D, -3.5 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 discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/13, 20/17. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
29

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.75 D, -1.5 D, -6 D, -1.25 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 values20/13, 20/17
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 1.5 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1.5 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1.5 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddouble vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 1.5 years · stated by poster