r/RefractiveSurgery

Left eye has been lazy since childhood. Right eye compensated completely and I never needed glasses my whole life.

About two years ago near vision started going. Got diagnosed with presbyopia, prescribed 1.5 reading glasses. Classic late 40s stuff apparently.

Two things are bothering me:

Since I started wearing reading glasses my uncorrected vision feels noticeably worse than before I got them. Doctor said it is age-expected but did not really address whether the glasses themselves accelerate dependency. Anyone experience this?

Second thing is LASIK. I have done some reading and understand it can fix the refractive error in my dominant eye but cannot touch the neurological side of the amblyopia. What I cannot find a clear answer on is whether correcting the dominant eye shifts how much the brain leans on the lazy eye, and whether that is a good or bad thing in practice.

Doctor mentioned surgery as an option but is not pushing it yet. Some days I am ready to just book it. Other days I feel like I do not have enough information to make that call.

Anyone here who has amblyopia and went through laser correction on their stronger eye? What was the outcome?

Hi everyone, I had my FEMTO LASIK surgery two days ago. I was nearsighted.
The day of the surgery was pretty rough (burning, itchy eyes, etc.), but it subsided. Yesterday, on Day 1, I was more than thrilled: I could watch TV without glasses, recognize faces from a distance, and see signs in the distance. My surgeon’s colleague also assured me of success: 100% visual acuity with a residual -0.5 diopters. So far, so good. Now, one day later—Day 2—my vision is comparatively worse! I can’t make out signs, text, or faces in the distance at all, or only very blurrily. Even the TV is blurry now, unlike yesterday. I’m even seeing worse up close, which I’ve never had a problem with (because I’m nearsighted).

I’m frustrated and feel like the surgery didn’t work and it was all for nothing.

I know none of you can help me from a distance or make a diagnosis. I’m going to contact my doctor on Monday but I am Rather looking to share experiences until then. Panic is getting worse :( Has anyone had a similar experience (improvement at first, then deterioration)?

Best regards :)

I just had cataract surgery on my 1st eye 6 days ago. Dr set my non- dominant eye at -2.00. Had my followup yesterday to which Dr states it is set fine but I'm not seeing at -2.00 because of a past vitrectomy 9 months ago. He knew this before surgery. I'm m frustrated because I feel like they talked me into the premium lens($2800) while correcting my astigmatism. After all that money I'm not seeing as well as i should be, Dr thinks the macula/retina may still be healing some or may not heal more. I cant even go to work as the dizziness is horrible because of the distance between eyes. Hes hoping the dizziness will go away after the 2nd eye is done. Now he wants to set my dominant eye at premium distance so he can correct that astigmatism ($2100) I'm nervous as I've been nearsighted since 5th grade I'm now 58. Another lens he talked about using is the Puresee IOL which is $4800. I dont know what to choose, I just want to see the best i can with wearing glasses minimal if I can achieve that goal. Thoughts?

I found reading recovery diaries incredibly helpful before my surgery, so I thought I’d document mine in case it helps someone else.

I’m 25, had TransPRK at Moorfields in London for -6.25/-6.50 myopia with no astigmatism. I originally expected SMILE, but my surgeon recommended TransPRK as the safest option.

Rather than writing one enormous post, I’m going to put each recovery day in the comments and keep updating it over the coming weeks.

EDIT: I’ll come back and update this in a couple of weeks and over the next few months once my vision has (hopefully!) sharpened up a bit.

I have zero regrets right now, and even though my vision is still getting there, it’s miles better than what I had before. I can’t believe people just wake up everyday and see like this. I also only have good things to say about Moorfields. The care was fantastic and I’m happy to answer more questions by DM if helpful about going there.

Looking for honest advice on refractive surgery options. Been researching this for years and could use real perspectives.

**My situation:**

- 30M, wearing glasses since age 7

- Right eye: -11.50/-0.75 x 180°

- Left eye: -10.00/-0.50 x 170°

- BCVA: 6/12-6/18 (won't improve — amblyopia + mild myopic maculopathy)

**Key parameters:**

- CCT: 513μm right, 520μm left (thin)

- ART max: 342 right, 323 left (borderline)

- Axial length: 26.19/26.21mm

- AD (aqueous depth): 2.47-2.49mm (too shallow for ICL)

- Multiple peripheral lattices — treated with barrage laser in 2021, stable since

- Mild dry eye

**Previous consultations I've had:**

- Hospital 1 (2021): Recommended RLE (refractive lens exchange) with monofocal IOL — declared me "unfit for LASIK"

- Hospital 2 (2021): Offered TWO options — LASIK with partial/undercorrection OR RLE

- Hospital 3 (2023 follow-up): No surgery recommended — just glasses + dry eye drops

Getting 3 different recommendations across hospitals has made this decision confusing. The partial LASIK suggestion has stuck with me the most.

**My goal:**

I'm NOT chasing 6/6 vision or eagle eye. I know that's impossible for me. My goal is simple:

- See people's faces at conversational distance without glasses

- Wear thinner, lighter glasses for distance/work

- Improve daily lifestyle a bit — that's it

I'm 100% okay with wearing glasses long-term. Just want them thinner and want some basic uncorrected function.

**What I'm considering now:**

Flapless partial correction, targeting only 4-5 D reduction, leaving residual around -6.50/-5.00 D that I'll wear thin glasses for.

**Options I'm weighing:**

1. TransPRK/SmartSurfACE — best biomechanical safety, longest recovery (2-3 weeks)

2. SILK — newest lenticule extraction, fast recovery (1-2 days)

3. SMILE Pro — proven flapless, moderate recovery (3-5 days)

4. RLE — was recommended twice, but I've been hesitant due to age (30) + lattice history + accommodation loss + insurance non-coverage

5. No surgery — accept current glasses, wait for natural cataract eventually

ICL ruled out by shallow AD. LASIK ruled out by thin cornea + borderline ART max.

**Questions:**

1. Anyone with borderline ART max and thin corneas who got flapless surgery — how are you doing years later?

2. For my case (thin corneas + high myopia + no need for perfect vision), is TransPRK's better biomechanical safety worth the longer recovery vs SILK/SMILE Pro?

3. Anyone who chose partial correction (4-5 D) with residual glasses — did it meet your daily-life goals?

4. Anyone who was recommended RLE at similar age with high myopia and lattice history — did you go through with it? Any regrets or good experiences years later? Torn between rejecting it as too aggressive vs the fact that 2 doctors recommended it.

5. Anyone who chose no surgery and accepted thick glasses — do you regret it? Or was it fine?

6. Am I being reasonable with this conservative flapless partial correction approach, or overthinking?

Not looking for 20/20. Just want thinner glasses and to see faces without them. Appreciate any honest input from people who've been through similar decisions.

Thanks.

I'm 19 and going to the military in six months. I have an active lifestyle. I have never worn glasses before. I have normal vision in my left eye but half of the normal vision in my right eye which often causes problems when reading texts in a classroom from whiteboard if not sitting close to it. Another example is that im not able to see street signs as far as I feel I should be able to when driving a car. I wouldnt like to wear glasses and currently do not have prescription but im going to the optometrist soon. Do you think I should get the surgery done if it's possible?

I wanted to get an ICL surgery from a long time but yesterday when I visited a clinic that performs that surgery, I came to know that my ACD is 2.7 mm in both eyes, which is considered borderline and they said they cant perform ICL surgery for me. After some research I found out that doctors are increasingly doing ICL on borderline ACD with good success rates, although PRK is good option for me, I still feel ICL is much safer as it is reversible.

Please share your experience if you have gone ahead with ICL surgery having borderline ACD. If anyone has done it in India, please also let me k iw the surgeon and hospital/clinic.

Right eye -1.25 -1.50 143, pupil 7.11mm mesopic.

Left eye -6.50 -0.75 35, pupil 6.87mm mesopic

I'm 31F with a left eye that's highly myopic and a right eye that's only mildly myopic with astigmatism. Don't ask me why, it's been like that since I started wearing glasses in high school 🤪. My corneas are around 500 um so not super thin but not thick either.

I've received a ton of different opinions from different clinics about what's best. LASIK MD approved me for LASIK, but two other clinics said that because of dryness and thin corneas and recommeded ICLs instead.

After thinking about it I've decided on ICL for my left eye for sure. The two clinics that recommended ICLs to me said to do ICLs for both eyes, but for my right eye I'm not sure if I want to do a toric ICL (TICL) since I've read some cases online about the lens rotating. Since these lenses will stay in my eye for the next few decades, I want to avoid any possible complications. Now I'm wondering if i should

1. Just get a TICL for right eye
2. Ask about limbal relaxing incisions (LRIs) -- I didn't know about this option. One clinic suggested it, the other one didn't mention it at all as a possibility
3. Ask about doing ICL for left eye, LASIK for right eye

Any thoughts? Am I overthinking the risk of rotation which probably won't even be that bad for a case of mild astigmatism?

Scheduled my PRK surgery. A bit nervous seeing all the horror stories. Tips or honest opinion?

Just scheduled my PRK surgery today in Jersey I am getting it done by one of the ophthalmologist for the New York Jets actually and he is well known and referred to by my ophthalmologist and my physician and my psychiatrist and they all said that I should go ahead with it. Just seeing the horror stories though can throw me off a little bit because I’ve seen a lot of bad Reddit posts so really looking for tips or honest opinions.

I went for a consultation where I was dilated, and he looked at my numbers. He said they’re good also with the tear duct test he said both of my eyes were very good at producing tears and he’s not worried about that. He said that it will cure my astigmatism and myopia. Overall, after looking at my numbers and the tests he recommended PRK he would not go with Lasik under any circumstances, but overall he said PRK would be the best.

Again, any tips on how to ease the tension or anxiety or honest opinions about those specific feelings before this specific surgery would really help

How harmful is this? I caught myself doing it twice, once on day 3 and now again two weeks later. I don’t do it consciously, It happens between dreams when I wake up in the early morning. Can I do any damage to my eyes with it? There’s no flap to dislocate, but I know the recovery isn’t done either😭

Please note that my vision is -5 in my right eye and -4 in my left, and that the surgery is not absolutely necessary, This procedure is only required for military officer applications in my country
But to be honest I am not very interested in the military field.

(Knowing that I have consulted a doctor who confirmed that I am fully fit for the procedure.)

Long story short, I had cataract surgery on my left eye at the end of August 2025 and right eye at the end of September 2025.

Left eye was a wonderful success.

Right eye ended up with 1.50D too strong of a prescription. I had PRK 4 weeks ago. Vision is still a little fuzzy, but it is better than pre-PRK.

The vision in my right eye fluctuates; it'll be crystal clear one moment then fuzzy the next. I had my 1 month follow-up yesterday. The Doctor said I had a little bit of dry eye still.

He then looked at my left eye and said I had some dry eye on that eye as well.

I have never been told I had dry eye before all the recent eye surgeries.

My questions are:

1. Will my eyes still heal up so I'm not experiencing dry eye?

2. Given how much time has passed following my left eye, will that dry eye resolve?

3. What can I do to cure dry eye?

I should've asked the Doctor about these questions yesterday. I know that. But it wasn't until I started to digest what he told me that I had questions.

I appreciate y'all weighing in with your comments/thoughts/suggestions!

Because I don't recall the doctor ever doing them for me during the examination

The doctor also decided that I was fully ready for the operation even though I am only 17 years old

Hi, I (25F) have been seriously considering refractive surgery for the past few months. I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 8 and contacts since I was 13/14.
I went for an eye examination recently and found out I have thin corneas, 497 μ m to be exact which is thinner than avg, pupils size 5.25-5.3
I have pretty high power,
Left- Sph -6.5, Cyl -1.25
Right - Sph -7, Cyl -0.5

My doctor ruled out Smile Lasik and highly recommended Transprk though I will be boderline, he said he would only be able to correct up to -6.5, leaving my left eye with -1.25 Astig and right eye -0.5 to -0.75 myopia and 0.5 Astig

I was really disappointed by this as I really wanted SmileLasik for the fast recovery and close to perfect eyesight after spending so much money, but with lingering myopia and astig, it’s making me hesitant….

I understand TransPRK will be a long recovery journey and I’ll probably have to take a long time off work. My work requires focusing for long hours, working with small details that require precision with my eyes and hands so that’s something to consider.

I also researched on ICL but the doctor recommended Transprk way more, saying that it’s more risky to put an implant in and having to remove it at 46 anyways with regular checkup every year.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? For those that have refractive surgery, has your vision regressed at all? Is it still worth it?

Would appreciate any advice or suggestions on how to proceed. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I am 29 years old and currently facing cataract surgery due to worsening cataracts. I previously had LASIK, and from what I have gathered, the Light Adjustable Lens seems to be one of the recommended options because of the prior reshaping of my cornea.

I am hoping to hear from others who have had LAL implantation after LASIK. How are you doing post-operatively? Are you happy with your vision overall? Were there any unexpected challenges during the adjustment period or after the final lock-in?

I am a nurse, and I am starting to notice more difficulty with myopia at work. I often have to get fairly close to the computer when colleagues are showing me information. I also spend a lot of time gaming, enjoy being outdoors in the sun, and I am now having more trouble seeing far away, including blurry faces and distance vision.

I would especially love to hear from any gamers who have had LAL lenses. How has it affected your gaming experience, screen use, contrast, glare, halos, or overall quality of life? I would really appreciate hearing personal experiences, pros and cons, and anything you wish you had known before surgery.

Thank you!

Hey everyone, hope you’re doing well.

My prescription is around -11 and -10.5. Unfortunately, my anterior chamber depth isn’t sufficient for ICL surgery. I do have enough corneal thickness for LASIK, but my doctor was very transparent about the potential risks, especially the higher chance of regression with high myopia, as well as possible night vision issues like glare and halos.

I’m wondering if anyone here had a similar prescription and underwent LASIK. If so, how was your experience, and do you regret the decision at all?

I’d really appreciate hearing some positive experiences as I weigh my options.
Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m 28 and had TransPRK (Zeiss MEL 90) about a month ago.

Pre-op prescription:
Right eye: -4.50 / -0.50
Left eye: -3.50 / -0.50

Both my surgeon and another ophthalmologist recently examined my eyes and said the corneas are healing well with no complications.

My vision has definitely improved compared to the first few weeks. I can drive comfortably and function normally day to day. However, my close and intermediate vision is still blurry, especially when using a laptop or looking at objects around arm’s length. My vision also still fluctuates somewhat throughout the day.

I’m curious to hear from others who went through TransPRK/PRK, particularly those with moderate myopia. Did anyone else experience something similar at the one-month mark? I’d really appreciate hearing about your recovery experiences, timelines, and how things progressed from this stage onward.

Thanks in advance!

I have an opportunity to get lasik from fairly reputable surgeon who has been practicing for 50 years but I’m a bit nervous about the natural decline of age. Any experience with doctors of this age?

Scheduled my PRK surgery. A bit nervous seeing all the horror stories. Tips or honest opinion?

Just scheduled my PRK surgery today in Jersey I am getting it done by one of the ophthalmologist for the New York Jets actually and he is well known and referred to by my ophthalmologist and my physician and my psychiatrist and they all said that I should go ahead with it. Just seeing the horror stories though can throw me off a little bit because I’ve seen a lot of bad Reddit posts so really looking for tips or honest opinions.

I went for a consultation where I was dilated, and he looked at my numbers. He said they’re good also with the tear duct test he said both of my eyes were very good at producing tears and he’s not worried about that. He said that it will cure my astigmatism and myopia. Overall, after looking at my numbers and the tests he recommended PRK he would not go with Lasik under any circumstances, but overall he said PRK would be the best.

Again, any tips on how to ease the tension or anxiety or honest opinions about those specific feelings before this specific surgery would really help