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

1160 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

LASIK experience · 2021

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

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 8 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
8 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
21
Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
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, 20/25
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2021

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

Age
31

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 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 · 6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, regression
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, 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 values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 9 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 10/10. Topics included halos, starbursts, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.5 D, -2.55 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 10/10
9 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2021

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, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, TTK Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 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, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

TRANSPRK experience

A 24-year-old reported a favorable TransPRK recovery at Moorfields Private in London. The diary described early haze and brief dryness, with a zero prescription and vision reportedly better than 20/20 at 4.5 months. Preoperative corneal thickness was reported as 510 and 513 micrometers; this account does not establish suitability for another patient.

Age
24
Location
United Kingdom
Clinic
Moorfields Private, London

Reported starting point

Preoperative sphere-6 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative sphere-5.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder-0.25 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Preoperative cylinder-1.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Reviewed follow-up4.5 months
4.5 months · calculated from stated values
Reported final acuityReported better than 20/20; exact numeric acuity scale uncertain
4.5 months · stated by poster
Reported final prescriptionZero prescription
4.5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/200, 20/40, 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -4 D, -19 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/200, 20/40, 20/20, 20/15
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/25, 20/20. Topics included halos, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.25 D, -8.75 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 values20/25, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25, 20/15. Topics included halos, starbursts, glare, haze. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/25, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, glare, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 10 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/12. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+3.75 D, +4.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/12
10 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/25, 20/30, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28
Device
Contoura

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, 20/25, 20/30, 20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

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 pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
31

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 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 discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.5 D
stated by poster
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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2018

A first-person LASIK account at 3 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
20

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.75 D, -3.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, regression. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10 D, -9.5 D, -2.75 D, -1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
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
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, regression
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2017

A first-person LASIK account at 4 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 D, +1 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
4 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 3 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/60, 20/40, 20/25, 20/30. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9 D, -1 D, -9.75 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/60, 20/40, 20/25, 20/30
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/25. Topics included dry eye, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
29
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 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 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/25
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 3 weeks described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
Contoura

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, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK 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

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 day 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, haze. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
25
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.25 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 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. 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
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/24. Topics included haze, 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 values6/24
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhaze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster