스마일라식 서울 | 비용·회복기간·부작용 완전 가이드
스마일라식은 각막 절편을 만들지 않는 최소 절개 시력교정 수술로, 통증과 회복 부담이 상대적으로 적다.
서울에서는 VisuMax 800 기반 SMILE Pro 기술이 사용되며 정밀도가 크게 향상되었다.
대부분 환자는 1~3일 내 일상 복귀가 가능하며, 건조증과 빛 번짐 리스크도 기존 라식 대비 낮은 편이다.
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction — Mechanism, Evidence and Limitations
A review-style overview of SMILE: the optical principle, how femtosecond photodisruption creates an intrastromal lenticule, why a flapless approach may matter biomechanically and neurologically, and where the technique's limits lie.
- Flapless; access via 2–4 mm incision
- Femtosecond-only — no excimer ablation
- Reviewed by BGSS ophthalmologists
How does SMILE work at the tissue level?
A femtosecond laser delivers ultrashort pulses that create microscopic photodisruption planes inside the corneal stroma, outlining a lens-shaped lenticule and a small access incision. The surgeon separates and extracts the lenticule, so the anterior cornea flattens and refractive power falls. Because no flap is cut, more anterior stromal lamellae and sub-basal nerves are preserved. At BGSS, SMILE / SMILE Pro costs ₩2.5M–₩4.0M for both eyes.
- Laser
- Femtosecond (photodisruption)
- Tissue removed
- Intrastromal lenticule
- Access
- 2–4 mm incision
- Primary indication
- Myopia ± astigmatism
From photodisruption to refractive change
Femtosecond lasers emit pulses in the order of 10 −15 s. Focused within transparent stroma, each pulse produces a tiny plasma and cavitation bubble; thousands of adjacent spots form a cleavage plane. In SMILE, two such planes — posterior and anterior — define a refractive lenticule whose central thickness corresponds to the intended dioptric correction.
Removing the lenticule through a 2–4 mm incision shortens the anterior radius of curvature in myopia correction. Unlike excimer ablation, no tissue is vaporised; the full correction is carried by the lenticule's geometry, which places a premium on centration and complete extraction.
- Posterior lenticule plane → lenticule edge → anterior cap
- Small side-cut for access
- Manual dissection and extraction
- Correction defined by lenticule profile
Flap vs flapless: what changes
Proposed advantages of a flapless approach and their evidence base.
| Domain | LASIK (flap) | SMILE (flapless) | Evidence comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anterior stroma | Flap cut through strongest anterior lamellae | Anterior cap largely intact | Modelling studies suggest better preserved strength |
| Sub-basal nerves | Severed across the flap circumference | Disrupted mainly at incision | Reviews report less early dry eye on average |
| Flap complications | Possible (striae, displacement) | Not applicable | Relevant to trauma-prone patients |
| Visual recovery | Very fast | Fast, sometimes slightly slower day 1 | Outcomes broadly comparable at months |
Summary of published literature; see references. Individual outcomes vary.
Indications and limitations
Where SMILE fits and where it does not.
Established indications
- Myopia with or without astigmatism within platform limits
- Adequate stromal thickness and regular topography
- Patients concerned about dry eye
- Contact sports or occupational trauma risk
Limitations
- Hyperopia: not a standard indication
- Enhancement usually uses surface ablation rather than repeat SMILE
- Topography-guided customisation is more limited than excimer
- Ectasia risk persists in susceptible corneas
Clinical guide for patients: SMILE in Korea.
Your treatment plan and price within 24 hours
- 1 Send a photo of your glasses or prescription
- 2 Get a likely procedure and estimated cost
- 3 Reserve an exam slot for your trip
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VisuMax 800 and SMILE Pro
The ZEISS VisuMax 800 shortens the lenticule-creation step to under 10 seconds per eye . Shorter suction time is thought to reduce the chance of suction loss and eye movement during treatment, and adds patient comfort; procedures performed on this platform are marketed as SMILE Pro .
The surgical principle is unchanged: outcome still depends on accurate planning, centration and atraumatic extraction. BGSS founder Dr. Jong-Ho Lee delivered a keynote at the Korea SMILE Forum (Feb 2025).
- Lenticule creation <10 s
- Same lenticule principle
- Surgeon technique remains decisive
- BGSS: 160,000+ SMILE / SMILE Pro
BGSS Eye Clinic 2026 prices
Every package includes the pre-operative exam, the surgery and standard post-op medications.
| Procedure | Price (KRW) | Approx. USD | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK (both eyes) | ₩1,900,000 – ₩2,400,000 | $1,340 – $1,690 | 1 day |
| LASEK / PRK (both eyes) | ₩2,200,000 – ₩2,800,000 | $1,550 – $1,980 | 3–5 days |
| SMILE / SMILE Pro (both eyes) | ₩2,500,000 – ₩4,000,000 | $1,760 – $2,830 | 1–2 days |
| EVO ICL (both eyes) | ₩5,200,000 – ₩7,000,000 | $3,670 – $4,950 | 1 day |
| Cataract / presbyopia lens (per eye) | ₩1,500,000 – ₩7,250,000 | $1,060 – $5,120 | 1–2 days |
USD values are approximate and vary with exchange rates. Final pricing is confirmed after your pre-operative exam.
- Full pre-operative diagnostic exam (2–3 hours)
- Surgery performed by a board-certified ophthalmologist
- Standard post-op eye drops and check-ups before you fly
- Medical interpreter and English medical records
Which procedure fits your eyes?
Answer 3 quick questions to see the procedure most often suited to people like you, with the 2026 starting price. Then send it to a coordinator for a free personal review.
- FREE No obligation, no deposit to ask
- 24h Reply from our international team
- MD Final plan confirmed by an ophthalmologist after your exam
How old are you?
Written and reviewed by the surgeons who perform it
Every figure on this page is a published BGSS total or a public credential you can check.
- 160,000+ SMILE / SMILE Pro
- 66,000+ ICL lens implants
- 49,000+ presbyopia & cataract
- Many with M.D., Ph.D. research backgrounds
- Founder Dr. Jong-Ho Lee: 56,000+ ICL eyes
- Complex-case and toric ICL positioning
- STAAR Surgical EVO ICL APAC Experts Summit (2024)
- Korea SMILE Forum (2025)
- Korea EVO ICL Forum (2025)
- Among Korea's first to introduce LASIK & LASEK
- Ministry of Health & Welfare–designated regenerative medicine institution
- 2026 prices published openly
- Medical content reviewed by an ophthalmologist
Dr. Jong-Ho Lee, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Lee is a pioneer of first-generation LASIK, LASEK and ICL in Korea and is known internationally for complex-case ICL and custom lens positioning for astigmatism. He reviews the medical content on this website.
Editorial policy: clinical statements on this page are checked against the sources below and BGSS outcome data, and are reviewed at least once a year. Prices are the clinic's published 2026 rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is SMILE a form of LASIK?
No. LASIK combines a flap with excimer ablation; SMILE uses only a femtosecond laser and removes an intrastromal lenticule without a flap.
Why is centration so important in SMILE?
The entire correction is in the lenticule; decentration relative to the visual axis can induce higher-order aberrations such as coma.
Does SMILE eliminate dry eye?
No. It reduces nerve disruption compared with a flap, and early dry eye is reported less often on average, but symptoms can still occur.
Is SMILE safer for corneal ectasia?
Preserving the anterior stroma may help biomechanically, but ectasia can still occur in susceptible corneas; screening remains essential.
How are under-corrections treated after SMILE?
Commonly with surface ablation (PRK) over the cap, or other techniques depending on the case.
What does SMILE cost at BGSS?
₩2,500,000–₩4,000,000 (about $1,760–$2,830) for both eyes, including exam, surgery and standard medications.
Ready to see clearly? Start with a free consultation.
Send your prescription today and get a personal treatment plan and price estimate within 24 hours.
- Free consultation
- No obligation
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- Korea's first JCI-accredited eye clinic
Medical information on this page is for general education and does not replace a consultation with an ophthalmologist. Results vary by individual, and suitability is determined after a full pre-operative eye examination. Statistics: BGSS Seoul + Busan cumulative totals as of December 2025.
대표원장 이종호
한국 렌즈삽입술 분야에서 전문성을 갖춘 이종호 대표원장은 고도근시 및 라식이 어려운 환자들을 위한 안전한 시력교정 방법을 제공합니다. 안구 구조와 각막 상태를 정밀하게 분석한 후 개인별 맞춤 렌즈를 선택하여 수술을 진행하며, 최신 기술을 활용해 정확도를 높이고 부작용을 최소화합니다. 수술 후 관리 시스템을 통해 안정적인 시력 유지가 가능하도록 돕고 있습니다.
스마일라식이란?
스마일라식(SMILE)은 각막 절편을 생성하지 않고 미세 절개를 통해 시력을 교정하는 최신 레이저 수술이다.
핵심 특징
- 절편 없음 → 각막 안정성 유지
- 절개 크기 약 2~4mm
- 신경 손상 최소화 → 건조증 감소
- 빠른 회복 속도
스마일라식 vs 라식 vs 라섹
차이 핵심 요약
- 스마일라식: 최소 절개, 빠른 회복
- 라식: 절편 생성, 시력 회복 빠름
- 라섹: 표면 제거, 회복 느리지만 안전성 높음
스마일라식 비용 (서울 기준)
- 평균 비용: 200만 ~ 400만원
- SMILE Pro (최신 장비): 300만 ~ 500만원
비용 결정 요소
- 장비 (VisuMax 500 vs 800)
- 의료진 경험
- 검사 포함 여부
- 양안/단안 여부
회복기간
- 수술 직후: 흐림 있음
- 1일: 일상생활 가능
- 3일: 대부분 정상 시력
- 1주: 안정화
- 1~3개월: 완전 안정
부작용 및 리스크
- 건조증 (경미, 일시적)
- 빛 번짐 (야간 초기 발생 가능)
- 과교정/저교정 (드물게 발생)
👉 최신 SMILE Pro는 이러한 리스크를 줄이는 방향으로 발전
이런 사람에게 추천
- 고도근시 / 난시 환자
- 건조증 걱정 있는 경우
- 빠른 회복 원하는 직장인
- 운동/활동 많은 경우
스마일프로(SMILE Pro) 최신 기술
- VisuMax 800 기반
- 레이저 조사 시간 단축
- 정밀도 향상
- 환자 불편 감소
서울에서 스마일라식 선택 기준
- 최신 장비 보유 여부
- 수술 경험
- 정밀 검사 시스템
- 외국인 대응 가능 여부
FAQ
Q1. 스마일라식은 아픈가요?
A. 점안 마취로 통증은 거의 없으며, 수술 시간도 짧다.
Q2. 회복은 얼마나 걸리나요?
A. 대부분 1~3일 내 일상 복귀 가능하다.
Q3. 비용은 얼마인가요?
A. 서울 기준 약 200만~500만원 수준이다.
Q4. 부작용은 있나요?
A. 건조증과 빛 번짐이 있을 수 있으나 대부분 일시적이다.
Q5. 라식보다 안전한가요?
A. 각막 절편이 없어 구조적 안정성이 높은 편이다.
Q6. 고도근시도 가능한가요?
A. 가능하지만 개인 각막 상태에 따라 달라진다.
Q7. 재수술이 가능한가요?
A. 일부 경우 가능하며 검사 후 결정된다.
Q8. 양쪽 눈 동시에 하나요?
A. 대부분 동시에 진행된다.
Q9. 운동은 언제 가능?
A. 가벼운 운동은 1주 후 가능하다.
Q10. 외국인도 수술 가능한가요?
A. 서울 주요 클리닉에서 영어 상담 및 수술 가능하다.
