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

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 6/6. Topics included halos, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
23
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-16 D, -17 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 values6/6
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, night-vision difficulty. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 D, -0.5 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, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 6/26, 20/16. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 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 values6/26, 20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
24
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 · 2 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2026

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.25 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
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2020

A first-person LASIK account at 6 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 6/6. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, regression. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
20

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.5 D, -0.5 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 · 6 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 6/6
6 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, regression
Both eyes · 6 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 10/10. Topics included halos, pain or discomfort. 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values10/10
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · 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 blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 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

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20. Topics included regression. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
EVO ICL

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 values20/15, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedregression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

TRANSPRK experience

The poster reported satisfaction four months after TransPRK for approximately -6.25/-6.50 D and mild astigmatism. Vision fluctuated initially, with slower left-eye recovery and clinician-reported dryness. At four months they described clear vision without glare or halos while still using lubricant drops. A June 25 update reported 20/20 at an optometrist visit.

Reported starting point

Preoperative sphere-6.25 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative sphere-6.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Preoperative astigmatismMild astigmatism; magnitude not specified
stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointFour months after TransPRK
4 months · calculated from stated values
Postoperative drynessClinician reportedly noted dryness despite limited subjective symptoms; lubricant drops remained in use
Months 2–4 · stated by poster
Night visionReported good night vision without glare or halos
4 months · stated by poster
Reported optometrist acuity20/20 reported in the June 25 update
June 25 update · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

RLE experience · 2026

Five weeks after bilateral RLE with trifocal lenses, the poster reported good near and far vision, improving intermediate and night vision, and no need for glasses. Halos, starbursts and an occasional lens-edge artifact remained, but the overall assessment was strongly positive.

Age
47
Location
Germany
Device
Zeiss LISA Trifocal

Reported starting point

Cataract statusNo cataracts reported
Both eyes · stated by poster

Procedure details

Implanted lensZeiss LISA Trifocal
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Near visionGood
Both eyes · 5 weeks · stated by poster
Distance visionGood
Both eyes · 5 weeks · stated by poster
Intermediate visionImproving; computer use felt normal by four weeks
Both eyes · 5 weeks · stated by poster
Residual visual effectsNight halos, starbursts and occasional single-light artifact
Both eyes · 5 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 3 weeks described the result. 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 · 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 · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, starbursts. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.75 D, -5.25 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
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 2 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included 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 · 2 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Topics included starbursts, 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 · 1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty
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 halos, glare. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 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, glare
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 3 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
19

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 1 year described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included 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 · 1 year · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddouble vision
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+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 discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/5, 6/6. 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 values6/5, 6/6
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2026

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedghosting
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 2 months described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 8 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
28

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 · 8 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 8 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 1 day described the result. 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 · 1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2026

A first-person LASIK account at 9 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, starbursts, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 D, -3.25 D, -1 D, -3 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 9 months · stated by poster