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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196 reviewed experiences

Only curator-approved records with a currently verified source appear here. No usernames or copied post bodies are published.

Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 12/10. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values12/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 4 months described the result. Topics included dry eye, ghosting, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting, haze
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
20
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.75 D, -1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

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

Age
29

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -2.75 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2019

A first-person SMILE account at 6 years described the result. Topics included glare, 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 · 6 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, ghosting
Both eyes · 6 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 5 months described the result. Topics included 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 · 5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, haze, 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 values20/20
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 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 12/10. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-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
Reported visual-acuity values12/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1 week described the result. Topics included dry eye, 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, ghosting
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2019

A first-person SMILE account at 6 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, glare, ghosting, double vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.25 D, -0.5 D, -1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, glare, ghosting, double vision, night-vision difficulty, regression
Both eyes · 6 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

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

Age
21

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.75 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 discussedhalos, double vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 7 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 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 · 7 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.5 D, -1.5 D, -6.5 D, -1.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
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 anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. 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-7 D, -7.5 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2018

A first-person SMILE account at 7 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, pain or discomfort, floaters. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 D, +0.5 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 · 7 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 7 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A 25-year-old reported full functional recovery by days 10–11 after SMILE. At one month both eyes measured 20/20 with no residual refractive power, with only occasional mild dryness after long naps.

Age
25
Location
Singapore

Reported starting point

Sphere-3.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-3.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Residual refractive power0 D
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Dry eyeOccasional and mild after long naps
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

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. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+0.5 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 discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, haze. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, haze
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -1 D, -0.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 30 days described the result. Topics included glare, ghosting, 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 · 30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, ghosting, haze
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

Ten days after SMILE, a London patient with treated blepharitis reported nearly perfect vision and strong satisfaction. Morning dryness, slight starbursts and screen fatigue remained but were manageable.

Location
United Kingdom

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-3.75 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Astigmatism-0.75 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
BlepharitisImproved with preoperative treatment
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Residual symptomsMorning dryness, slight starbursts and screen fatigue
Both eyes · Day 10 · 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. Topics included ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -5.5 D, -0.25 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
Symptoms discussedghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · 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. Topics included halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.5 D, -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
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 year described the result. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster