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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203 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 · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26
Device
EVO ICL

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
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 8 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -6 D, -1.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 8 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
8 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 8 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/12, 6/9. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, 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 values6/12, 6/9
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 dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2023

After approximately 1.5 years of severe near-vision loss in bright light, ghosting, double vision and persistent ICL rings, the poster underwent lens exchange, repositioning and ultimately explantation. One month after removal they were back in glasses and beginning to drive again.

Device
EVO+ ICL

Reported results and symptoms

Persistent symptomsNear-vision loss in bright light, ghosting, double vision and constant ICL rings
Both eyes · After implantation · stated by poster
Lens exchangeReplaced with larger lenses because of low vault
Both eyes · About 13 months · stated by poster
Lens repositioningDid not resolve ghosting
Right eye · About 16 months · stated by poster
Lens removalBoth ICLs removed
Both eyes · About 17 months · stated by poster
After explantationBack in glasses; short-distance driving resumed; eyes still dry
Both eyes · 1 month after removal · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, ghosting
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2024

At slightly over five months after EVO ICL, the poster reported a substantial residual refractive difference between eyes and persistent left-eye visual-quality problems, describing the overall result as strongly regretted.

Device
STAAR EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Glasses sphere-8.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Glasses cylinder-1.25 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Glasses axis100 degrees
Right eye · stated by poster
Glasses sphere-13.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Glasses cylinder-1 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Glasses axis135 degrees
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Residual sphere0 D
Right eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual cylinder0.5 D
Right eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual sphere-0.5 D
Left eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual cylinder1 D
Left eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Residual axis40 degrees
Left eye · About 5 months · stated by poster
Overall assessmentStrong regret and reduced visual quality
Both eyes · About 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2025

An ICL account initially described severe rings, glare, ghosting and screen difficulty plus -1.5 D of cylinder in both eyes. Symptoms became easier to tolerate over six months, but glasses were still used for clarity and the poster remained dissatisfied with the tradeoff.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported results and symptoms

Residual cylinder-1.5 D
Right eye · About 9 weeks · stated by poster
Residual cylinder-1.5 D
Left eye · About 9 weeks · stated by poster
Eye pressure27 mmHg
Both eyes · Early recovery · stated by poster
Visual symptomsPersistent rings, glare and halos; less distressing than initially
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Additional correctionGlasses used for clearer vision
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, starbursts. 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 discussedhalos, starbursts
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 2 days 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.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 D
stated by poster
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, 20/15
2 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

Ten days after EVO ICL for very high myopia and astigmatism, the poster reported 20/20 in each eye and 20/15 binocularly. Early scratchiness, dryness, light sensitivity and halos were improving rapidly.

Age
29
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-10.75 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-7.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
AstigmatismSignificant
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Monocular visual acuity20/20 each eye
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Binocular visual acuity20/15
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Early symptomsDryness and light sensitivity nearly resolved; halos improving
Both eyes · 10 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/30, 20/25. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 D, -1 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 values20/10, 20/30, 20/25
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/40. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, regression. 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 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/40
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, regression
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1 day described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/30. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
33
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 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/30
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, haze, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up 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
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.25 D, -4.25 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
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

Four days after EVO ICL, the poster reported roughly 20/10 in the right eye and improving left-eye blur attributed to incision swelling. Early pressure elevation required prolonged monitoring and medication, while rings and halos were noticeable but the overall assessment remained highly positive.

Location
United States
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-6 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-4.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster
Cylinder-2 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuityApproximately 20/10
Right eye · Day 1 · stated by poster
Eye pressureElevated; treated and monitored until low 20s mmHg
Both eyes · Surgery day · stated by poster
Early visual phenomenaHalos and EVO rings
Both eyes · Day 4 · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 3 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.5 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 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/10
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, haze. 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 discussedhalos, haze
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1 day described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/30, 20/20, 20/25. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-20 D, -10 D, -9 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/30, 20/20, 20/25
1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort, floaters
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 6 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/40, 20/20. Topics included halos, 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 · 6 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/40, 20/20
6 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 6 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-12 D, -13 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, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

Two days after EVO ICL for high myopia, the poster reported 20/20 binocular acuity and very little glare or halo disturbance. Right-eye inflammation caused temporary 20/40 blur while the left eye measured 20/20, but satisfaction was high.

Location
United States
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-8.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-9.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Left eye · Day 1 · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/40
Right eye · Day 1 · stated by poster
Binocular visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · Day 1 · stated by poster
HalosVery faint and rarely noticed
Both eyes · Day 2 · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1.5 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
33
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.75 D, -2.75 D, -9 D, -3.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1.5 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1.5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1.5 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15, 20/12. Topics included dry eye, halos. 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 values20/20, 20/15, 20/12
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/13, 20/17. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
29

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.75 D, -1.5 D, -6 D, -1.25 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 values20/13, 20/17
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account at 5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10. Topics included halos, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Clinic
Eye Clinic Tokyo

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.25 D, -1 D, -2.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10
5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster