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 anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 2 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, 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 · 2 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/10
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+5 D, +4.5 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
Symptoms discussedstarbursts
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 3 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -3.75 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
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 1 year described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, floaters. 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 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 1 year · 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. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.5 D, -1.25 D, -4.25 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts. 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2014

A first-person LASIK account at 10 years described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included regression. 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 · 10 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
10 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedregression
Both eyes · 10 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
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 6 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -4.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
6 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

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 20/20. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
25
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-11.25 D, -11.5 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 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 · 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 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
Symptoms discussedpain 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. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, 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
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A six-month Wavefront LASIK follow-up reported 20/20 vision in both eyes and little ongoing dryness. Halos around car lights persisted but had improved, and the poster described life without glasses as freeing.

Age
25
Device
Wavefront LASIK

Reported starting point

Sphere-3.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Approximate sphere-2.9 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
HalosStill present around car lights but improved
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Dry eyeDrops only occasionally needed after heavy screen use
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/10. Topics included halos, glare, 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/10
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

LASIK experience · 2024

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

Clinic
Bochner Eye Institute

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -5 D, -5.75 D, -1.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. 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 · 1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 20/10, 20/15. 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 values20/10, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE 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, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
36

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 D, -2.75 D, -3.25 D, -3.75 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, 20/15
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

SMILE experience · 2023

A first-person SMILE account at 1 year 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-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 · 1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
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. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating 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 month · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10, 20/20, 20/15
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2022

A first-person LASIK account at 2 years described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25. Topics included dry eye, 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 · 2 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/25
2 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Rothschild Institute
Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · 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 regression. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-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 discussedregression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account at 6 months described the result. Topics included halos, starbursts. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
24

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

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

LASIK experience · 2023

Four months after LASIK for moderate myopia, the poster reported 20/20 and 20/15 eye-specific vision and said they would repeat the procedure. Intermittent blur and night-light distortion improved over several months, with little dryness.

Clinic
NVISION Roseville

Reported starting point

Sphere-4 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Sphere-4.25 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Right eye · 4 months · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/15
Left eye · 4 months · stated by poster
Residual symptomsOccasional brief blur and some nearby-light distortion
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster