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

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 anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 4 months described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, ghosting, double 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 · 4 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, ghosting, double vision
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
27
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 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · 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 anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2015

Ten years after LASIK, the poster still reported 20/20 vision. Starbursts took several months to settle and mild morning dryness remained, but they said they would choose the procedure again.

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · 10 years · stated by poster
StarburstsPresent during recovery
Both eyes · First 3–4 months · stated by poster
Dry eyeMild morning dryness; drops needed 2–3 times weekly
Both eyes · 10 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 8 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values+0.75 D, -0.5 D, +0.25 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 · 8 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
8 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 8 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 6 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
27

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.75 D, -0.5 D, -0.25 D, -1.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10, 20/15, 20/20
6 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, ghosting, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, floaters
Both eyes · 6 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 3 weeks described the result. Topics included dry eye, 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 · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · 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 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. 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 values20/15, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, 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 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 anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2017

A first-person LASIK account at 8 years described the result. Topics included dry eye, starbursts. 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 · 8 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, starbursts
Both eyes · 8 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

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

Age
35

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 3 weeks 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.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-5 D, -6 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 30 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.5 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 · 30 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 30 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 3 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -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 · 3 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos
Both eyes · 3 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 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, 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 · 3 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
3 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20, 20/15, 20/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
38
Device
Contoura

Reported starting point

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, 20/15, 20/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, 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 explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/16. Topics included dry eye, double vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
SMILE Pro

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 values20/16
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 · 2025

A poster with moderate myopia described severe burning on the first night, followed by rapid recovery, crisp vision, mild transient dryness and halos, and a strongly positive early assessment.

Location
United States

Reported starting point

Approximate sphere-3.5 D
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/15 line and part of 20/10
Both eyes · First follow-up · stated by poster
First-night recoverySevere burning
Both eyes · First night · stated by poster
Early symptomsMild dry eye and slight night halos
Both eyes · Early recovery · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2025

A first-person LASIK account at 1 month described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, 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 · 1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2004

A first-person LASIK account at 20 years described the result. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
21

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 20 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, floaters
Both eyes · 20 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

LASIK experience · 2024

A first-person LASIK account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
41
Clinic
PersonalEyes

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D, -6.5 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

LASIK experience · 2024

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6 D, -5.75 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, halos, starbursts, glare, double vision, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · 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