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Eye Surgery & Ophthalmology clinic interior in Korea
Specialty

Eye Surgery & Ophthalmology in Korea

Vision correction surgery is one of the highest-volume elective procedures in Korea, and the full range of laser and lens-based options is available at prices well below Western markets.

56 listed clinics · 4 procedure guides

The choice between laser reshaping and implantable lenses is determined by corneal thickness, prescription and dry eye status, all of which are measured at a pre-operative examination lasting two to three hours. No responsible clinic quotes a method before that examination.

Both eyes are normally treated on the same day. You need a follow-up examination the next morning and again around one week, which sets the minimum length of a treatment trip.

Procedures in Eye Surgery & Ophthalmology

LASIK & LASEK

LASIK creates a corneal flap before reshaping the tissue underneath, while LASEK removes the surface epithelium instead, trading faster recovery for a thinner tissue requirement.

56 clinics · 1,200,000 - 3,000,000 both eyes KRW

SMILE Eye Surgery

SMILE corrects myopia by extracting a lenticule of tissue through a small side incision, with no flap created at all, which preserves more corneal biomechanical strength.

0 clinics · 2,000,000 - 3,500,000 both eyes KRW

ICL Surgery

ICL places a soft collamer lens inside the eye behind the iris without removing corneal tissue, and it is the standard option for high myopia or corneas too thin for laser surgery.

0 clinics · 4,000,000 - 7,000,000 both eyes KRW

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens by ultrasound and replaces it with an intraocular lens, and the lens choice determines whether you still need glasses afterwards.

56 clinics · 1,500,000 - 6,000,000 per eye depending on lens KRW

Clinics

Showing 56 clinics

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in Korea for LASIK?

Five to seven days. Examination on day one, surgery on day two, mandatory check the following morning, and a further check at around one week before flying.

What if I am not a candidate for laser surgery?

Thin corneas, high myopia or severe dry eye usually point to ICL, an implantable lens placed inside the eye. It is reversible and corrects prescriptions beyond the laser range, at roughly double the cost.

Further reading

Recovery Time and When You Can Fly

The length of your trip is set by the mandatory follow-up interval, not by how quickly you feel well, and flying too early raises the risk of swelling, bleeding and thrombosis.

Medical Costs and Payment in Korea

Foreign patients without Korean national health insurance pay the full private rate, which is still typically 30 to 70 percent below US pricing for the same procedure, and card payment is accepted almost everywhere.

Source: Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, medical institution information https://www.hira.or.kr/eng/main.do