LASIK & LASEK

LASIK & LASEK

Gangnam Bright Smile Eye Clinic0
1,290,000 KRW

This is a standard laser vision correction procedure. Based on your exam results, the right method—LASIK or LASEK—is chosen for you.

This event covers LASIK and LASEK, the standard laser vision correction procedures. After a detailed pre-op exam, the clinic decides whether LASIK or LASEK suits your eyes. Both are performed all-laser, meaning every step is done with a laser.

Who It's For

  • Anyone who wants to live without glasses or contact lenses
  • Anyone who wants a consultation on the most standard vision correction surgery
  • Anyone who wants an exam to decide whether LASIK or LASEK is the right fit
  • Anyone who also wants to compare SMILE LASIK or lens implantation (ICL)

How It Works

  1. 1:1 Customized Detailed ExamThe exam checks your vision, the degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, the thickness and shape of your cornea, and your corneal endothelial cells. It also screens for other eye conditions such as retinal or optic nerve problems, glaucoma and macular degeneration. The first goal is to find out which surgery suits you and which surgeries you should not have.
  2. Choosing LASIK or LASEKThe exam results determine whether LASIK or LASEK is right for you. If your cornea is thin, LASIK can be risky and LASEK may be the only option. Depending on your eyes, SMILE LASIK or lens implantation may be a better fit, and the clinic will walk you through those as well.
  3. LASIK SurgeryA corneal flap is created and lifted, the inner cornea is reshaped with a laser, and the flap is laid back down. The clinic says it performs every step with a laser, aiming for precise and safe surgery.
  4. LASEK SurgeryThe corneal epithelium is removed and the cornea is then reshaped with a laser. Recovery and aftercare take longer than with LASIK.

What's Included

  • LASIK or LASEK, both eyes
  • Detailed pre-op exam

Prices include VAT and apply during the clinic's event period. Whether you get LASIK or LASEK is decided based on your exam results. If neither suits you, the clinic will consult with you on other vision correction options.

From Surgery Day to Recovery

  1. Before Your Trip to KoreaStop wearing contact lenses one week before surgery. You don't need an exam back home beforehand, because the clinic runs its own exam. No deposit is required.
  2. Surgery Day: Arrive Before 2 PMIf you arrive before 2 PM, the exam, consultation and surgery can all happen the same day. Consultation through surgery takes about 4 hours. Bring your passport. Standard anesthesia is numbing eye drops, and a Japanese interpreter is provided free of charge.
  3. Right After SurgeryYour vision will be blurry after surgery, so you can't drive a car or ride a bike. Plan your transportation in advance.
  4. If You Had LASIKAccording to the clinic, LASIK tends to involve less pain and a faster recovery than LASEK. However, the corneal flap is not fully attached yet, so be careful not to scratch or injure your eyes.
  5. If You Had LASEK: About One Month or MoreYou may feel pain while the corneal epithelium regenerates. The clinic recommends wearing sunglasses for at least one month to block UV rays, wearing an eye shield while sleeping so you don't rub your eyes, and using steroid eye drops for about two months.
  6. Post-Op CheckupsCheckups in Korea are not required. You can have one at the clinic if you like, or see an eye doctor after you return home. A separate checkup in Korea comes with additional exam fees and interpreter fees. The clinic will explain how long your vision takes to stabilize and when to get checkups during your consultation.

Aftercare

  • Use your prescribed eye drops for the period instructed.
  • LASEK requires wearing sunglasses and an eye shield.
  • After you return home, you can get checkups at a local eye clinic.

Doctors & Clinic

Head Director Dr. Mun Hyeon-seung and Dr. Gu Myeon handle vision correction. The clinic says good surgery comes from combining exam equipment and exam know-how with doctors and systems that can interpret the results. It plans each surgery around not only your eye condition but also your lifestyle and occupation. The clinic is on the 3rd floor of the building right outside Gangnam Station Exit 11 and is closed on Wednesdays. A Japanese interpreter is provided free of charge on surgery day. For other languages, please ask when booking.

Side Effects & Precautions

  • With LASIK, the corneal flap can shift or detach under a strong impact. If you exercise a lot or work in a job where your eyes could get injured, the clinic may recommend a different surgery.
  • With LASEK, you may feel pain while the corneal epithelium regenerates, and corneal haze (clouding of the cornea) can occur.
  • Your eyes may feel dry after surgery, and you may need eye drops.
  • If your vision is still changing, the clinic may recommend postponing surgery.
  • Please follow the instructions for prescribed eye drops and precautions.

FAQ

Which is better, LASIK or LASEK?

Neither is always better. The clinic checks your corneal thickness, eye condition and lifestyle through the exam and decides which method fits you.

I've worn contact lenses for a long time. Can I still have surgery?

According to the clinic, wearing lenses for a long time doesn't thin the cornea. However, if your cornea has scratches or deformation, that could affect surgery, so you'll stop wearing lenses for a set period before the exam.

Will surgery make presbyopia come sooner?

The clinic explains that presbyopia is a natural age-related change that happens to everyone and is unrelated to vision correction surgery.

Is winter a better time to get it done?

The clinic says vision correction surgery is barely affected by the season.

What language is the consultation in?

A Japanese interpreter is free on surgery day. For other languages, please ask when booking.