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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195 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 · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at one month described a favorable recovery. The source reported a baseline prescription of -4.75 and -5.00 D, 20/15 acuity at the five-day check, and early halos and light sensitivity that had resolved by one month.

Location
United States
Device
ZEISS SMILE

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D and -5.00 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/15
Both eyes · 5 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedEarly halos and light sensitivity reported resolved
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2023

A first-person SMILE account at 3 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 20/10, 20/20, 20/15. Topics included dry eye, halos, starbursts, glare. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
28

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-1.25 D, -1.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/10, 20/20, 20/15
3 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 3 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 1 day described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-4.75 D, -5 D, -2.5 D, -1.75 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 day · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up 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.

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-2.25 D, -1.25 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
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included starbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, 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 · 1 month · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
1 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

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

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Reported acuity included 6/26, 20/16. Topics included dry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3 D, -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 values6/26, 20/16
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, blur or fluctuating vision, haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 1 month described the result. Topics included starbursts, glare, ghosting, 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 month · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, glare, ghosting, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · 1 month · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2026

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

Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

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, haze
Both eyes · 2 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 7 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

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 · 7 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 7 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 20 days described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included haze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Age
27
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-3.5 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 · 20 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedhaze, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 20 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 11 days 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, -1.25 D
stated by poster
Overall self-assessmentsatisfied
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, starbursts, glare
Both eyes · 11 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 8 days described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort. The poster described a mixed result or a recovery with meaningful tradeoffs.

Device
Femtosecond LASIK

Reported starting point

Overall self-assessmentmixed
Both eyes · curator inference

Reported results and symptoms

Follow-up pointPostoperative experience reported
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, haze, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 8 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 20/25, 20/40. Topics included dry eye, halos, 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 values20/25, 20/40
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye, halos, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 4 days described the result. Topics included dry eye, light sensitivity, 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 4 days · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

At two weeks after SMILE Pro, the poster reported sharp vision with one eye recovering faster, improving fog and dry eye, and night halos and starbursts that were gradually diminishing.

Procedure details

Procedure variantSMILE Pro
Both eyes · stated by poster

Reported results and symptoms

Visual acuity12/10
Right eye · 1 week · stated by poster
Visual acuityAlmost 10/10
Left eye · 1 week · stated by poster
Residual sphere0.75 D
Left eye · 1 week · stated by poster
Residual cylinder-0.25 D
Left eye · 1 week · stated by poster
Halos and starburstsPresent at night and slowly diminishing
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Dry eyeMild and improving with artificial tears
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Near visionReported as clear after settling by day 3
Both eyes · 2 weeks · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteMixed report

SMILE experience · 2026

A first-person SMILE account at 1 week described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, 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 week · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 1 week · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2026

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

Age
30
Device
SMILE Pro

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-6.25 D, -0.5 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
Symptoms discussedstarbursts, blur or fluctuating vision, night-vision difficulty, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2021

A first-person SMILE account at 5.5 years described the result. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort. 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 · 5.5 years · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision, pain or discomfort
Both eyes · 5.5 years · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 6/6. Topics included glare, haze, night-vision difficulty. 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 · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values6/6
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedglare, haze, night-vision difficulty
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 9 months described the result. Topics included dry eye. 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 · 9 months · stated by poster
Symptoms discusseddry eye
Both eyes · 9 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account at 10 months described the result. Reported acuity included 20/20. 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 · 10 months · stated by poster
Reported visual-acuity values20/20
10 months · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteReported satisfied

SMILE experience · 2020

A first-person SMILE account at 5 years described the result. The source included baseline prescription values. Topics included dry eye, light sensitivity. The poster's overall assessment was favorable.

Age
23

Reported starting point

Reported prescription values-0.25 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
Symptoms discusseddry eye, light sensitivity
Both eyes · 5 years · 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. Topics included 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-1.75 D, +1.5 D, +7 D, +0.25 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
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Self-reported anecdoteSentiment unclear

SMILE experience · 2025

A first-person SMILE account with a postoperative follow-up described the result. Reported acuity included 12/10. Topics included blur or fluctuating vision. The source did not state a clear overall satisfaction judgment.

Device
Contoura

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 values12/10
Follow-up reported · stated by poster
Symptoms discussedblur or fluctuating vision
Both eyes · Follow-up reported · stated by poster