Reddit can provide valuable first-hand insight if you are considering a Laser Vision Correction procedure.

Screenshot of the r/LASIK subreddit — *Above: A screenshot of the home page for the* *r/LASIK* subreddit on October 26, 2023.
The search bar at the top of the page is your friend!

If you’re reading this, chances are you've also used Reddit to check product reviews, celebrate or commiserate with fans of your favorite team, exchange theories about books or movies, debate politics, research stocks (stonks…), or just pass the time.

And even if you don't have an active account, you’ve probably lurked (followed a thread) without joining the conversation. Aside from certain content, Reddit is free to view to all users, registered or otherwise.

Background: Why Reddit is Valuable Source of Information

“Companies and their representatives cannot shill brands, products, or services on Reddit without getting quickly spotted, called out, and kicked out.”

Reddit is an informative and entertaining (plus, relatively safe) online community and hive mind. You can access it at Reddit.com or by downloading the Reddit mobile app.

Its real beauty and value is that it’s probably the closest thing we have to a "digital town square.” If you can tolerate the chaos and memes and ignore the trolling, it stands apart from many online forums and media platforms for the (relative) independence and trustworthiness of user-generated content (posts and comments).

That’s because while brands can advertise on Reddit, admins and mods (content moderators) heavily monitor their specific topic-based communities (ranging from r/homeimprovement, r/wallstreetbets, to r/nyc to r/changemyview) for spam and marketing, proactively removing sponsored posts and comments. In other words, Companies and their representatives cannot shill brands, products, or services on Reddit without getting quickly spotted, called out, and kicked out.

So, even if folks are commenting in favor of (or against) something, you can have much greater faith that their comments reflect their actual opinions or experience and not tainted by financial incentives (for leaving a five-star review, for example). The Reddit voting system (good comments receive upvotes from registered users, while bad comments receive downvotes) further reinforces this logic, as posts with more upvotes rise to the top, and those with many downvotes are buried at the bottom of threads or hidden.

Contrast this with Google Search, as an example. Google is a fantastic information marketplace, but its “organic” search results (aka earned or “unpaid” results, in the sense that they are not paid Google Ads) are gamed by very large corporations and their marketing agency partners.

TL;DR – if you’re researching LASIK or another form of laser vision correction, you could do A LOT worse than the subreddit dedicated to people who have had, or are considering getting, laser eye surgery.

Explore the r/LASIK Subreddit

Note: If you’re looking for a true 101-style user’s guide on how to use Reddit (i.e. how to sign up and participate in discussions), check out the wikiHow Guide or the one SearchEngineJournal.com.

Whether you’re relatively new to Reddit or have a ton of digital “Karma” built up already, here’s how to use r/LASIK to effectively research laser eye surgery.

You can find posts and comments about almost any facet of laser eye surgery in this Reddit forum/community (“sub”), including questions related to procedures, cost, equipment, discomfort, recovery time, and long-term complications.

Commenters from all over the world seek advice or report about their experience with LASIK, PRK, ASA, SMILE, etc. A majority of threads are about either very positive or very negative experiences with surgery. Many people,(including licensed ophthalmologists like myself), participate in the discussion to help confirm or dispel the original poster’s (OP) concerns, or put them in context.

Even with Reddit, the more testimonials you can find, the better. Don’t commit to a specific procedure or surgeon because of one glowing review, and don’t completely dismiss one because of a damning review.

Rather than cherry-picking from the most recent posts in the main feed, I recommend using the search bar to find many posts related to the topic you are searching about (more tips on this below).

Filtering the Discussion

Here’s a useful trick.

You can filter the Subreddit to only see posts from people who have already had eye surgery, for example.

Select “Had surgery” in the right sidebar men to apply this filter.

Use the Search Bar to Find Revealing Stories

It’s easy enough to find positive testimonials online. But these can sometimes paint a distorted picture.

Reddit offers the chance to find different information on a fairly objective third-party platform. These stories can help you determine what surgery to pick and if it’s right for you. Reddit is a perfect place to discover how many people are experiencing long-term difficulties and what those complications are.

You can search “LASIK complications” or “PRK complications” to get an idea of what patients are experiencing after the surgery.

Look for Patients Who Had Surgery At Least Three Months Ago

Hundreds of posts on the LASIK Subreddit share patients' experiences about their first week or month after surgery. They offer a rundown of how they felt each day following the procedure. They often share enthusiastic news that their vision has improved and they're experiencing no pain.

Here’s one example:

These stories can be helpful to know what to expect right after surgery. But it’s important to remember that these patients haven’t had the chance to experience long-term side effects. As you decide which type of laser eye surgery to pursue, it’s critical to understand the possible long-term complications.

Look for testimonials of patients who had surgery at least 3 months ago – the older the better – to determine the actual effectiveness of the operation. Most LASIK patients, for example, experience improved vision immediately following surgery but are more likely to experience complications such as dry eyes, night vision issues, and corneal “free flap” conditions. On the other hand, patients who get PRK or ASA experience mild discomfort and pain in the first few days following surgery, but have far fewer long-term complications.

On Reddit, seek out testimonials from patients who had laser eye surgery years ago. Look for threads and comments that share the details of their vision and any complications.

Seek Out Info on ASA/PRK and Other Alternatives

While LASIK has been the default choice in laser eye surgery, safer alternatives are on the rise on the heels of the likely FDA warning about LASIK. ASA and PRK, for instance, are non-cutting procedures that are incredibly effective. Search the Subreddit to find information on ASA and PRK surgeries. Learn about what the procedure is like for patients and how they’re feeling post-surgery to help you decide which surgery to choose.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions

The subreddit's FAQ contains many basic answers to burning questions about laser eye surgery. Check out the FAQ page to gain valuable information on whether you’re a surgery candidate, how the surgery will feel, and what recovery is like. You can also find helpful information on how to choose between a LASIK center and an opthamalogist’s office.

Make Notes About the Info You Find

Our minds tend to remember horror stories above everything else because they are shocking. We can also lose track of how many positive and negative aspects we’ve read about something. As you look through the r/LASIK sub, take some notes about what you’re finding.

Here are a few things to jot down on paper or in a spreadsheet when researching laser eye surgery on Reddit:

Pros and cons of LASIK vs. ASA or other alternative surgeries
Long-term complications of each type of surgery
People’s experiences at least three months after surgery
Information on what type of doctor or center to use
Regrets or hindsight from patients who have received surgery

Organized notes can help you make the right decision about your eye surgery. It can also help you develop key questions to bring to your consultation.

How to Use Reddit to Research Laser Eye Surgery

Reddit can provide valuable first-hand insight if you are considering a Laser Vision Correction procedure.

If you’re reading this, chances are you've also used Reddit to check product reviews, celebrate or commiserate with fans of your favorite team, exchange theories about books or movies, debate politics, research stocks (stonks…), or just pass the time.