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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202 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 · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 1 week described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/25. Topics included dry eye, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
29
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7.25 D, -7.5 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 values20/25
1 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 2 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
2 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedlight sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account at 2 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-8 D, -1.75 D, -10 D, -0.8 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunclear
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2019

A first-person ICL account at 2 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, ghosting, night-vision difficulty. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.75 D, -4.75 D, -6.5 D, -7.5 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 2 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
2 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, ghosting, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 2 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2014

A first-person ICL account at 7 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 10/10. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
30

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.5 D, -9 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 7 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 10/10
7 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 7 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2021

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

Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10.25 D, -9.5 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, 20/25
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 anecdoteSentiment unclear

ICL experience · 2021

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included ghosting. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9 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 discussedghosting
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · 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 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 anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2020

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-12 D, -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
Symptoms discussedhalos, double vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2020

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. The source explicitly reported pre-existing dry eye. Reported acuity included 20/20, 6/6. Topics included dry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-7 D
stated by poster
Pre-existing dry eyeExplicitly reported before the procedure
Both eyes · stated by poster
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, 6/6
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2020

A first-person ICL account at 3 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, glare, 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-11.75 D, +1.25 D, -12 D, +0.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentmixed
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 discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort, regression
Both eyes · 3 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2019

A first-person ICL account at 1 year described the result. Reported acuity included 10/10. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
Visian ICL

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 values10/10
1 year · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 year · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2020

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
43
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-10.5 D, -12.25 D, -12.75 D, -9 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 values20/15
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 anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2019

A first-person ICL account at 14 months described the result. Topics included halos, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
41

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 14 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · 14 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2019

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. Topics included halos, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
35
Device
Visian 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, glare
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported dissatisfied

ICL experience · 2019

A first-person ICL account at 4 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/15, 20/20. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, ghosting. The poster's overall assessment was unfavorable.

Age
21
Device
Visian ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-9.5 D, -1 D, -0.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentunsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15, 20/20
4 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, ghosting, double vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2019

A first-person ICL account at 2 weeks described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included halos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, floaters. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-12 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 · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
2 weeks · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhalos, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, floaters
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2018

A first-person ICL account at 4.5 months described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-16 D, -17.5 D, -0.5 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 · 4.5 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos
Both eyes · 4.5 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2018

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 12/10, 20/40, 20/30, 20/15. Topics included halos, blur or fluctuating vision. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
Visian ICL

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 values12/10, 20/40, 20/30, 20/15
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 · 2018

A first-person ICL account at 2 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/20. Topics included glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
26

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-20 D, +2 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
2 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 2 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2018

A first-person ICL account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/15. Topics included halos, starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Device
Visian ICL

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, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

One week after EVO ICL for extreme myopia, the poster called the result one of their best decisions. Screen use still caused dryness and fatigue, while halos were already minimal and continued to improve.

Age
34
Clinic
Des Moines Eye Surgeons
Device
EVO ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-11 D
Left eye · stated by poster
Sphere-12.5 D
Right eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Dry eyeMainly after prolonged screen work
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
HalosMinimal and improving
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

ICL experience · 2026

One week after EVO ICL, the poster described a favorable recovery after the toric lens in one eye required immediate repositioning during surgery. Early starbursts resolved and device rings were already becoming less noticeable.

Location
United States
Device
EVO Toric ICL

Reported starting point

Reported prescriptionApproximately -6.25 D and -5.75 D in contact lenses
stated by poster

Procedure details

Toric lens adjustmentRemoved and repositioned during the initial procedure
Left eye · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

StarburstsResolved
Both eyes · First 3 days · stated by poster
ICL ringsPresent but noticeably improving
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

ICL experience · 2026

One month after EVO+ ICL for -8 D myopia, the poster reported excellent daytime acuity but substantial low-light peripheral glare, some halos, rings and screen-related fatigue. The overall assessment was cautiously positive with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
EVO+ ICL

Reported starting point

Sphere-8 D
Both eyes · stated by poster
Pre-existing dry eyeMinor
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity20/20
Both eyes · Day 1 · stated by poster
Residual visual symptomsLow-light peripheral glare, halos, EVO rings and screen fatigue
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster