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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434 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 first-person SMILE account at 5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -1 D, -0.5 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, haze
Both eyes · 5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 4 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/40, 20/50, 20/20. 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

Reported prescription values-1.75 D, -2.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/40, 20/50, 20/20
4 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
25

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 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 discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 4 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare. 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 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2024

A first-person SMILE account at 1 year described the result. Topics included dry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

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 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
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 satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 4 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, 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 · 4 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
4 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 days · 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 anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 9 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
27
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.5 D, -5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20, 20/15
9 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1 month described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included dry eye. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.75 D, -4.25 D, -5.5 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 values6/6
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
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. 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 anecdoteReported dissatisfied

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, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, double vision. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -6.5 D, -7.5 D, -7.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
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, 20/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2024

A first-person ICL account at 1 year 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 · 1 year · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1 D, -5.25 D, -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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

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, 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
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2025

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. Reported acuity included 20/50, 20/30, 20/60, 20/25. 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 · 1 week · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/50, 20/30, 20/60, 20/25
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 1 week · 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 satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

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

Age
22

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 · 3 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/25, 20/30
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · 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

LASIK experience · 2020

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

Age
23

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 D, -3 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 values20/20
5 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5 years · 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

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 anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 9 days described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, haze. 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 · 9 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
9 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, haze
Both eyes · 9 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included dry eye, glare, 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 · 3 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 months · stated by poster