Choosing a SMILE pro clinic in Seoul

Your eye examination, surgical plan and follow-up should fit your visual needs and the time you have in Seoul. At SNU, our BESPOKE SMILE planning adjusts the laser treatment area and energy, incision location and tissue removal for each eye. Understanding this process can help you prepare for your consultation.

At SNU Eye Clinic in Gangnam, we use VISUMAX 800 for SMILE pro and VISUMAX 500 for SMILE. Our SMILE guide explains the equipment and corneal tests. When comparing clinics, ask who will operate, which procedure is recommended, what the written quote includes and how care will continue when you return home. Patient reviews may help you understand the experience of visiting a clinic, but they cannot tell you whether surgery is suitable for your eyes or how often complications occur.

Dr. Chung Eui Sang is SNU Eye Clinic's Medical Director and holds a doctorate in medicine from Seoul National University. When booking, ask which ophthalmologist will examine you, who will perform the surgery and who to contact about any problems afterwards.

We use VISUMAX 800 for SMILE pro and VISUMAX 500 for SMILE. The equipment matters, but so do the examination, surgical plan and follow-up care. Our equipment comparison explains how CentraLign and OcuLign assist the surgeon and why the results still depend on your eyes and treatment plan.

Your glasses prescription is only part of the assessment. The examination also looks at corneal thickness and shape, how much tissue would remain after surgery, pupil measurements, the tear film and whether your prescription has been stable.

Bring your current prescription, details of your contact lenses and medicines, and any records of previous eye treatment. Ask how long you need to stop wearing contact lenses before the appointment. If you have high myopia or a thin cornea, the ophthalmologist will assess whether SMILE or another approach is suitable.

For a SMILE visit, allow about two hours for the eye examination, consultation and discussion with the ophthalmologist. If surgery is suitable and arranged for the same day, allow up to four hours in total for the visit.

We provide interpreting in English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Mongolian at no extra charge. You can send an enquiry in English through our website and tell us which language you need for your visit.

Include your preferred language and dates in Seoul when you contact us, so we can arrange interpreting for your appointment. Let us know if you need help with the consent discussion or aftercare instructions. You can find our address and contact details in the patient guide.

Arrange your first check-up after surgery before booking your journey home. Ask which later checks can be done by an ophthalmologist in your home country, which records you will need and how to contact us with non-urgent questions.

Keep your treatment summary, prescriptions and follow-up dates together. If you have severe pain or a sudden loss of vision, seek eye care promptly rather than waiting for a message reply. Our recovery and travel guide explains what to prepare before you leave Korea.