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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1122 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 · 2024

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

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2 D, -1 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
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 1998

A 26-year follow-up after very high-myopia LASIK described decades of benefit, followed by blur, stronger halos and reduced night-driving confidence. Later examination found recurrent myopia and rapidly developing cataracts.

Age
31
Location
United States

Reported starting point

Sphere-12.5 D
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Initial visual acuity20/20
Right eye · After surgery · stated by poster
Initial visual acuity20/15
Left eye · After surgery · stated by poster
Later sphere-2 D
Right eye · 26 years · stated by poster
Later sphere-2.5 D
Left eye · 26 years · stated by poster
Later symptomsBlur and pronounced halos limiting night driving
Both eyes · 26 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 8 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. 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 · 8 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
8 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account at 8 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, double vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
30
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, double vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2024

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

ICL experience · 2024

About six weeks after Visian ICL for severe hyperopia and astigmatism, a 23-year-old reported 20/25 acuity without glasses and about +0.75 D of combined residual error. Dim-light blur remained, but the poster was satisfied with the functional improvement.

Age
23
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere7 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Cylinder2 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Sphere7.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Cylinder2 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/25
Both eyes · About 6 weeks · stated by poster
Combined residual error0.75 D
Both eyes · About 6 weeks · 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. Reported acuity included 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-3 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 values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 6 days described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, floaters. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, floaters
Both eyes · 6 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

An early-thirties poster treated for hyperopia reported 20/20 vision at one day and maintained strong distance vision nine months later. Early halos, intermittent blur, light sensitivity, and occasional dryness largely settled.

Age
32
Location
United States

Reported starting point

Sphere4 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Cylinder-0.75 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Sphere4.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Cylinder-1.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · Next day · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/20
Right eye · 9 months · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/25
Left eye · 9 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2023

Ten months after SMILE, the poster reported 20/20 vision and resolution of initially severe dry eye, night-vision problems, glowing text and starbursts. The symptoms reportedly disappeared around months four to five.

Age
23
Location
India

Reported starting point

Sphere-3.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-4.7 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Early symptomsDry eye, poor night vision, glowing text and starbursts
Both eyes · First months · stated by poster
Symptom resolutionReported resolution of early symptoms
Both eyes · 4–5 months · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 10 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/30, 20/40, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, 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, 20/30, 20/40, 20/15
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 · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 2 years described the result. 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 · 2 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts
Both eyes · 2 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2020

Four years after Contoura LASIK, the poster remained very satisfied after starting with moderately high myopia and mild astigmatism. The account describes the surgery as one of their best decisions.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-6.5 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
AstigmatismMild
Both eyes · stated by poster

Procedure details

Procedure variantContoura LASIK
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up durationContinued satisfaction
Both eyes · 4 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. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, haze. 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
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
The Laser Eye 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 values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedlight sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

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 source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.25 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Topics included light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedlight sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account at 1.5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D, -7.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1.5 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
1.5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 1.5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 5 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/25. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · 5 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/25
5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2022

At 1.5 years after femtosecond LASIK for moderately high myopia, the poster reported stable 20/20 vision, rare need for lubricating drops and resolution of prior glasses-associated migraines.

Age
30
Device
Bladeless femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Sphere-5.75 D
stated by poster
Sphere-5.25 D
stated by poster

Procedure details

Procedure variantBladeless femtosecond LASIK
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Lubricating-drop useAbout once every two weeks when needed
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Optimax TTDI Malaysia
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 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 values20/10
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2017

A first-person LASIK account at 7 years described the result. Topics included starbursts, double vision. 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 · 7 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, double vision
Both eyes · 7 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 9 months 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-7.5 D, -1.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 9 months · 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 blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26

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