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 anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 D, -0.25 D, -3 D, +3 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddouble vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Icone De Vasio
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 11 months described the result. Topics included dry eye, 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 · 11 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 11 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2010

A first-person SMILE account at 14 years described the result. Topics included halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · 14 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 14 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, double vision, 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, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 3 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
29
Device
SMILE Pro

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 · 3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 4 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 · 4 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 5 days 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-6 D, -5.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 5 days · 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. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -2.75 D, +0.25 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A 19-year-old treated with SMILE for about -7 D in both eyes reported steadily improving vision during the first month and later described vision as effectively normal for school and sports. Mild itching or burning sometimes occurred with long screen sessions or wind.

Age
19

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-7 D
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual recoveryStill improving day by day
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Later symptomsMild sensitivity, itching or burning with prolonged screens or wind
Both eyes · Later update · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

After SMILE Pro with adjunctive cross-linking, the poster reported early blur and dryness plus a foreign body that required incision re-washing. The slower eye caught up after about 2.5 weeks, and a one-year update described excellent vision.

Location
South Korea
Clinic
BGN
Device
VisuMax 800

Reported starting point

Sphere-4.75 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Cylinder-1 D
Both eyes · stated by poster

Procedure details

Procedure variantSMILE Pro with corneal cross-linking
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Early complicationForeign body near incision; surgical re-wash and temporary contact lens
Left eye · Day 4 · stated by poster
Eye-to-eye recoverySlower eye caught up
Both eyes · About 2.5 weeks · stated by poster
Longer-term resultVision remained excellent
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

Two months after SMILE, the poster reported 20/15 vision and no ongoing side effects. Lubricating drops were used for roughly four to six weeks, and return to screen-based work would have been possible within days.

Age
25
Location
United States

Reported starting point

Uncorrected visual acuityApproximately 20/40
Right eye · stated by poster
Uncorrected visual acuityApproximately 20/80
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/15
Both eyes · Follow-up · stated by poster
Lubricating-drop periodUsed drops; no ongoing dry-eye complaint at 2 months
Both eyes · First 4–6 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2 D, -1 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
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2023

Ten months after SMILE, the poster reported 20/20 vision and resolution of initially severe dry eye, night-vision problems, glowing text and starbursts. The symptoms reportedly disappeared around months four to five.

Age
23
Location
India

Reported starting point

Sphere-3.5 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-4.7 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Early symptomsDry eye, poor night vision, glowing text and starbursts
Both eyes · First months · stated by poster
Symptom resolutionReported resolution of early symptoms
Both eyes · 4–5 months · stated by poster
Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 10 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/30, 20/40, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/30, 20/40, 20/15
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 anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
The Laser Eye Institute

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 discussedlight sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
Optimax TTDI Malaysia
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 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 values20/10
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 10/10. Topics included halos. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
36

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5.25 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 values10/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos
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. Reported acuity included 6/5, 20/20. Topics included starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Clinic
LSC Eye Clinic

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 values6/5, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

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, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 D, -2.5 D, -7.75 D, -2 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, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A detailed two-week SMILE diary described severe early starbursts, blur and screen-related dryness, followed by substantial improvement after stopping anti-inflammatory drops. By two weeks vision was close to prior contact-lens quality away from screens.

Location
Germany

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-2 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
AstigmatismModerate
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Early symptomsSevere starbursts, blur and screen-related dryness
Both eyes · Days 0–6 · stated by poster
Vision recoveryNear prior contact-lens quality when screen exposure was limited
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 2 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity. 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 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/10
2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 2 months · 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 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
36

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 D, -2.75 D, -3.25 D, -3.75 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, 20/15
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 anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2023

A first-person SMILE account at 1 year 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-0.25 D, -0.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision. 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 month · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10, 20/20, 20/15
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster