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 · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. 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
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
19
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.5 D, -7.75 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 values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2026

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, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-13 D, -14 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
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 20 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. 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 · 20 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 20 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.5 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 discussedhaze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 5 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · 5 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 3 days described the result. Topics included 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 · 3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

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 discussedghosting, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A LASIK patient treated at age 50 in December 2024 reported persistent dryness, glare, halos, starbursts and impaired night vision despite reported 20/20 chart acuity. In a September 2026 update, the poster described continuing severe burning, some visual improvement after IPL treatment, and plans for scleral lenses. The overall assessment was explicitly unfavorable; symptoms and the reported MGD assessment remain self-reported.

Age
50

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 19 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
19 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, floaters
Both eyes · 19 months · stated by poster
September 2026 dryness updateSevere burning continued after IPL and steroid treatment; scleral lenses planned
Both eyes · September 2026 update · stated by poster
Self-reported specialist assessmentPoster reported specialist assessment of chronic dryness, especially meibomian gland dysfunction
Both eyes · September 2026 update · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2016

A first-person LASIK account at 10 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, regression. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
22

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 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 · 10 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, regression
Both eyes · 10 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 30 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25, 20/40, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

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 · 30 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/25, 20/40, 20/15
30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 years described the result. Topics included dry eye. 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
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 5 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/30. 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 values20/30
5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 13 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included ghosting. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-21 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 13 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedghosting
Both eyes · 13 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 3 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 10/10. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2 D, -1.75 D, -2.5 D, -3 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, 10/10
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 10/10. Topics included pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.25 D, -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 month · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 10/10
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+3.5 D, -0.25 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 discusseddry eye
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, night-vision difficulty. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 D, -7 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 10 days described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included dry eye, 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 · 10 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
10 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

PRK experience

The poster described PRK with alcohol-assisted epithelial removal. By day thirty-seven, home chart tests suggested fluctuating acuity, worse toward evening, with slower right-eye recovery and nighttime halos or starbursts. Dryness was subjectively minimal. The reported age is 22.5 years and is retained as text rather than rounded for age matching.

Reported starting point

Preoperative sphere-4 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative sphere-4.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder-1.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder-0.75 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Reported age22.5 years
stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Reviewed follow-upDay 37
Day 37 · stated by poster
Home chart estimatesAround 20/30 in morning, sometimes 20/70 or worse later; self-tests rather than clinical measurements
Day 37 · stated by poster
Nighttime artifactsHalos and starbursts; night driving not yet comfortable
Day 37 · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/30, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
34
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 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 · 6 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/30, 20/20
6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/13, 20/16. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/13, 20/16
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 anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 5 days described the result. 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 · 5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

TRANSPRK experience

A 25-year-old reported satisfaction after TransPRK at Moorfields in London for -6.25/-6.50 D without astigmatism. The recovery diary described early pain, marked light sensitivity and blur. At five weeks, vision reportedly felt sharp and daily life almost normal, with morning blur improving after drops. Very close vision was less clear than before.

Age
25
Location
United Kingdom
Clinic
Moorfields, London

Reported starting point

Preoperative prescription-6.25 D / -6.50 D; eye assignment not specified
stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder0 D
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointFive-week original-poster update
5 weeks · calculated from stated values
Early painStrong pain on surgery day, settling that evening
Surgery day · stated by poster
Early light sensitivityMarked light sensitivity during early recovery
Day 1 · stated by poster
Morning visionAround one hour of morning blur, generally resolving with drops
5 weeks · stated by poster
Very close visionVery close viewing, around 1 cm, less clear than before; no reported daily-life impairment
5 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2001

A first-person LASIK account at 25 years described the result. Reported acuity included 20/25. Topics included halos, ghosting. 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 · 25 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/25
25 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, ghosting
Both eyes · 25 years · stated by poster