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 · 2021

One month after femtosecond LASIK for high myopia and astigmatism, the poster reported rapid improvement from eye-specific day-one acuity to 20/15 in both eyes at one week and described the experience positively.

Age
29
Device
iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser

Reported starting point

Sphere-9.25 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Cylinder1 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Corneal thickness725 µm
Right eye · stated by poster
Sphere-7.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Cylinder0.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Corneal thickness722 µm
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/15
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, haze, light sensitivity, 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 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

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

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6, 6/4. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Visian 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 values6/6, 6/4
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account at 3 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included halos, light sensitivity, 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 · 3 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · 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 dry eye. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-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 values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

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

Age
35

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 values20/15
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

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 regression. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -4.25 D, -0.5 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedregression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 2 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-2 D
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
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 6 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
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
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/25, 20/20, 20/16. Topics included dry eye, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

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 values20/25, 20/20, 20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Age
37

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.25 D, -5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20
1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.5 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 · 5 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 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 halos, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
34

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 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. Topics included halos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.37 D, -4.5 D, -1 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 discussedhalos, starbursts, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 6 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/40. Topics included dry eye. 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 · 6 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/40
6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

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 dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -4.25 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 day described the result. Reported acuity included 20/35. 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 · 1 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/35
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 14 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, haze, light sensitivity. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
35
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.5 D, -8 D, -10.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 14 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
14 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 14 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account at 1 week described the result. Topics included pain or discomfort, 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedpain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · 1 week · 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, 20/50, 20/200, 20/63. Topics included dry eye, double vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-11 D, -11.75 D, -12.75 D, -12 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, 20/50, 20/200, 20/63
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

LASIK experience · 2016

A first-person LASIK account at 5 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included double vision, pain or discomfort, regression. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

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 · 5 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
5 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddouble vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · 5 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2021

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8.5 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 discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2020

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

LASIK experience · 2020

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, starbursts, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster