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.
Reset

195 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

SMILE experience · 2025

A 35-year-old with pre-existing dry eye reported 20/20 vision 1.5 weeks after SMILE. Reading for hours could trigger blur and dryness, but everyday function returned quickly and the early assessment was highly positive.

Age
35
Location
United States

Reported starting point

Sphere-3.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Sphere-3.75 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Pre-existing dry eyeMarked, especially in summer
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 1.5 weeks · stated by poster
Reading-related symptomsBlur and dryness after prolonged reading
Both eyes · 1.5 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 9 weeks described the result. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 9 weeks · 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. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
32
Clinic
Hamilton Eye Institute
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -3.75 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 values20/20, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A 15-month SMILE account described poor right-eye acuity, residual astigmatism, ghosting, halos and glare for roughly a year, followed by marked improvement around months 14–15. Both eyes reached 6/6, though minor right-eye aberrations remained.

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity6/9
Right eye · First 12 months · stated by poster
Residual astigmatism-0.5 D
Right eye · First 12 months · stated by poster
Visual symptomsGhosting, halos, glare and poor night vision
Both eyes · First year · stated by poster
Visual acuity6/6
Both eyes · 15 months · stated by poster
Residual symptomsMinor higher-order aberrations
Right eye · 15 months · 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 20/16. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
SNU Eye Clinic
Device
SMILE Pro

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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 D, -2.5 D
stated by poster
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
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 D, -1 D, -7.5 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 14 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Vati Goz

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.75 D, -3.5 D, -4 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 · 14 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 14 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

Six weeks after SMILE for high myopia, the poster described a very positive recovery with crisp early distance vision. Computer-distance focus fluctuated for roughly ten days and minor halos and dryness were noted early.

Age
35
Location
United Kingdom
Clinic
London Vision Clinic

Reported starting point

Sphere-8.5 D
stated by poster
Sphere-5.75 D
stated by poster
Corneal thickness530 µm
Right eye · stated by poster
Corneal thickness533 µm
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Computer-distance recoveryFluctuating focus before becoming crisp
Both eyes · First 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 5 days described the result. Topics included haze, 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 · 5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhaze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1.5 months 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.

Age
43

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1.5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1.5 months · 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 20/20. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -0.25 D, -4.75 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
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, halos, ghosting, double 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 · 4 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, ghosting, double vision
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
27
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 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 glare, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -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
Symptoms discussedglare, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, 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 at 3 weeks described the result. Topics included dry eye, 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 · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · 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 20/20. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
24
Clinic
Holhos Clinic
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+3.5 D, +4.5 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 · 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

SMILE experience · 2025

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

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

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

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 30 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-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 · 30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 30 days · 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 explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/16. Topics included dry eye, double vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Pre-existing dry eyeExplicitly reported before the procedure
Both eyes · 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 values20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, double vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

Three months after SMILE Pro for high myopia, the poster reported substantially better measured vision than with preoperative glasses and described the result as exceptionally crisp. Functional visual recovery took about two weeks.

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-7 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Vision with glasses110 percent
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Measured vision180 percent
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Functional recoveryGood vision after early adaptation
Both eyes · About 14 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 day 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-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 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2024

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, pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
24
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 D, -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 discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 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 20/16, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, double vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
39
Clinic
Samsung Miracle Eye Clinic
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+0.25 D, -1.5 D, +0.5 D, -2 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 values20/16, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, double vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster