ASCRS 2026: What online patient conversations reveal about the LASIK experience

LASIK has become one of the most widely performed refractive procedures, offering patients rapid visual recovery and reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Yet beyond clinical outcomes, the patient experience remains nuanced—shaped by expectations around recovery, visual quality and the reassurance (or uncertainty) found in shared experiences. Increasingly, patients turn to peer-to-peer platforms, such as Reddit, to make sense of their journey, often focusing on the practical realities of surgery and recovery rather than the procedure itself.

In this Q&A, Dhiresh Bandaru explores insights from his ASCRS abstract analysing how patients discuss LASIK in online forums. His findings highlight the themes, symptoms and sentiments that define real-world patient conversations, and what they reveal about gaps between clinical counselling and patient priorities.

Abstract: Public Perception of Refractive Surgery on Social Media: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of r/LASIK Posts on Reddit. Authors: Dhiresh Bandaru, BSc; Amisha D Dave, MD; Dagny Zhu, MD, ABO

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What did you aim to understand about patient experiences and perceptions of LASIK?

We aimed to understand how patients describe and interpret the LASIK experience in their own words within public, peer-to-peer online forums. While clinical studies offer valuable data on safety, efficacy, and patient-reported outcomes, social media provides a unique perspective by highlighting what patients emphasize when seeking reassurance, sharing outcomes, or offering advice. Our objective was to identify the themes, symptoms, and sentiments that shape LASIK-related discussions online and to explore what these conversations reveal about patient priorities, concerns, and expectations in a large public setting.

What were the key findings in terms of common themes, symptoms, and overall sentiment in LASIK-related posts and comments?

We found that LASIK discussions focused less on the procedure itself and more on the overall patient journey. Common themes included perioperative care, visual quality, recovery timelines, return to normal activities, and surgeon selection. Frequently mentioned symptoms were dry eye, pain or burning, halos, and other night-vision disturbances. Notably, most posts and comments were neutral or mixed in tone, indicating that these discussions often serve as platforms for information-seeking, troubleshooting, and setting expectations rather than simply endorsing or criticizing the procedure. Additionally, many comments encouraged professional assessment, suggesting that these forums often act as informal links to clinical care.

These data highlight a gap between clinicians’ priorities and patients’ ongoing concerns after consultations. Online discussions show that patients are particularly focused on recovery, visual fluctuations, dry eye symptoms, night-vision changes, and distinguishing normal experiences from those that require attention. Clinicians can enhance counseling by addressing these topics directly, using clear language that reflects patients’ perspectives. More broadly, this study demonstrates that digital patient discussions are integral to the refractive surgery experience. Understanding these conversations can help physicians set expectations, improve educational materials, and better support patients before and after surgery.

 

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Disclosures: Dhiresh Bandaru, Amisha D Dave and Dagny Zhu have nothing to disclose in relation to this article. No fees or funding were associated with this article.

Citation: Dhiresh Bandaru. ASCRS 2026: What online patient conversations reveal about the LASIK experience. touchOPHTHALMOLOGY.com. 28 April 2026.

Acknowledgements: This content has been developed independently by Touch Medical Media for touchOPHTHALMOLOGY. It is not affiliated with ASCRS. Views expressed are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.

 

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