Patient lying beneath a laser system during vision correction in Seoul

Vision correction
in Korea

Several methods. One examination decides which.

Sky Eye Clinic corrects myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia and early presbyopia in two ways: a laser that reshapes the cornea, or a lens placed inside the eye.

Which one fits you depends on your corneal thickness, your prescription and how you live. This page lays out every option, so you arrive at your free consultation with the right questions.

Options

What you can choose from

Smart Nova LASIK

New SMILE LASIK with one addition: CenTrax, which corrects eye rotation and docking error during the procedure. Read about Smart Nova LASIK in Korea.

New SMILE LASIK

Tissue is removed from inside the cornea through a 2mm opening. No flap is made. See SMILE eye surgery in Korea.

LASIK

A thin corneal flap is lifted, the laser works underneath, and the flap is laid back down. See LASIK eye surgery in South Korea.

LASEK

Only the thin surface layer of cells is removed before the laser. No flap. See LASEK in Korea.

ICL lens implant

A lens sits behind the iris. The cornea is not cut at all. See the ICL lens implant page.

Presbyopic LASIK and LASEK

Mild presbyopia and your distance prescription are treated in the same operation. See presbyopic LASIK and LASEK.

Laser or Lens

The one difference that matters

Laser reshapes

LASIK, LASEK, New SMILE and Smart Nova all change the curve of your cornea so light lands on the retina. Compare them on laser eye surgery in Seoul.

Lens adds

An ICL leaves the cornea untouched. That is why it is discussed when laser surgery is difficult for your eyes.

The exam chooses

Corneal thickness, pupil size and retinal condition are measured before any method is recommended.

Starting Points

Which page to read first

If this sounds like you

Your cornea is thin or your myopia is high: compare LASEK, New SMILE LASIK and the ICL lens implant.
You worry about pain, dry eye or halos: start with New SMILE LASIK and Smart Nova LASIK.
You need to be back at work soon: LASIK recovers quickly; LASEK takes longer.
You are over 40 and reading up close is getting hard: see presbyopic LASIK and LASEK.
Your cornea bulges or is thinning: read keratoconus treatment and corneal cross-linking before thinking about laser surgery.

A web page cannot pick your procedure. The surgeon who examines your eyes makes that call, and stays with your care after surgery.

Sky Eye Clinic

Before You Fly

Planning a trip to Seoul

Build your schedule around the examination. Contact lenses change the shape of the cornea, so they come out before testing:

Soft lenses: 5 days before the exam
Hard and toric lenses: 10 days before
Ortho-k lenses: at least 4 weeks before

Every preparation and recovery step is in the pre and post-op guide.

The clinic's own doctors have had LASIK or LASEK. You can meet them on the doctors page, and the lasers are listed on the equipment page.

FAQ

Common questions

How do I know which surgery suits me?

You find out at the examination. Your surgeon measures corneal thickness, prescription, pupil size and retinal condition, then explains which of LASIK, LASEK, New SMILE LASIK, Smart Nova LASIK or an ICL fits.

My cornea is thin. Is vision correction still possible?

Often, but not with every method. LASEK and New SMILE LASIK preserve more corneal tissue, and an ICL removes none. The exam result decides.

How long before the exam do I stop wearing contact lenses?

Soft lenses 5 days, hard and toric lenses 10 days, and ortho-k lenses at least 4 weeks. This keeps the measurements accurate.

Do international patients pay for the consultation?

No. The consultation is free, fees are the same for overseas and Korean patients, and interpreters are available in English, Japanese and Chinese.

Go deeper

01 Laser eye surgery LASIK and LASEK side by side view 02 ICL lens implant Correction without cutting the cornea view 03 Presbyopic LASIK and LASEK For near vision after 40 view 04 Keratoconus treatment When the cornea bulges view 05 Corneal cross-linking Strengthening a weak cornea view 06 Pre and post-op guide Preparation and recovery steps view