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

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. 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 · 5 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

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

Age
31
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.5 D, -8.5 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 discussedhalos, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
29

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.25 D, -3.5 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

A first-person ICL account at 3 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-14 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 6/7. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, double vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28

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, 6/7
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/10. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

A first-person ICL account at 1 day described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included halos, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

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 · 1 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20, 20/25. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, haze, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.5 D, -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 values20/15, 20/20, 20/25
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, haze, light sensitivity
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

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

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.25 D, -1.25 D, -3 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 values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. Reported acuity included 6/15, 20/30, 20/40, 20/25. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, glare, ghosting. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/15, 20/30, 20/40, 20/25
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.5 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, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2023

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

Device
Femtosecond LASIK

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, haze
Both eyes · 6 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -1.5 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 discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, starbursts, glare. 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 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, glare
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 11 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

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 · 11 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
11 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2023

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

Age
33

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 D, -1.25 D, -5.25 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. 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
28
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 discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included 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, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2023

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

Age
30
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-11 D, -9 D, -6 D, -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, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/12. Topics included halos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/12
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

TRANSPRK experience · 2023

A 27-year-old in Munich reported satisfaction four weeks after TransPRK for myopia and astigmatism. They explicitly reported no preoperative dry-eye problems. The first 48 hours involved burning and light sensitivity; visual fluctuations diminished markedly around week three. At week four there was mild residual ghosting, particularly in the left eye.

Age
27
Location
Germany

Reported starting point

Preoperative sphere-2 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Preoperative sphere-2.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder-0.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder-0.75 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative dry-eye historyNo dry-eye problems before surgery
stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointFour-week update within the original post
4 weeks · calculated from stated values
Early recoveryBurning and light sensitivity in the first 48 hours, substantially better from day three
First 3 days · stated by poster
Residual ghostingMild ghosting, particularly in the left eye, with lights and text
4 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20, 20/12, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
29
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.5 D, -6.3 D, -6.22 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, 20/20, 20/12, 20/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. 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 · 3 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2023

A first-person LASIK account at 3 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
36

Reported starting point

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
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2023

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/30, 20/40, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 D, -3 D, -8.5 D, -10 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/30, 20/40, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster