SMILE Pro FAQ — 14 Questions Patients Ask Before Surgery
Concise answers on SMILE Pro: how the ZEISS VisuMax 800 works, candidacy, cost, comfort, recovery, risks and travel. Reviewed by BGSS ophthalmologists, who have performed 160,000+ SMILE and SMILE Pro procedures.
- Both eyes ₩2.5M–₩4.0M, exam included
- Back to daily activities in about 1–2 days
- Laser step under 10 seconds per eye
What is SMILE Pro, in one answer?
SMILE Pro is flapless laser vision correction on the ZEISS VisuMax 800: a femtosecond laser shapes a thin lenticule inside the cornea in under 10 seconds per eye, and the surgeon removes it through a 2–4 mm incision, changing the cornea's curvature. At BGSS it costs ₩2.5M–₩4.0M for both eyes including the exam, with most people back to daily activities in 1–2 days.
- Price (both eyes)
- ₩2.5M – ₩4.0M
- Incision
- 2–4 mm, no flap
- Laser step
- Under 10 s per eye
- Recovery
- 1–2 days
SMILE Pro at BGSS in brief
Key facts before the questions.
| Topic | Answer |
|---|---|
| Corrects | Myopia, with or without astigmatism |
| Platform | ZEISS VisuMax 800 |
| Price | ₩2,500,000–₩4,000,000 (≈ $1,760–$2,830), both eyes |
| Recovery | Daily activities in about 1–2 days |
| Stay in Korea | About one week |
Full guides: SMILE Pro in Korea · VisuMax 800 explained · SMILE FAQ.
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- 1 Send a photo of your glasses or prescription
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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
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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.
SMILE Pro: frequently asked questions
What does SMILE stand for?
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. "Pro" refers to the procedure performed on the newer ZEISS VisuMax 800 platform.
What prescriptions can SMILE Pro treat?
SMILE Pro is used for myopia with or without astigmatism. Hyperopia is usually treated with other methods; your exam decides.
How is SMILE Pro different from LASIK?
LASIK lifts a corneal flap and reshapes the tissue beneath with an excimer laser. SMILE Pro creates no flap: a lenticule is removed through a 2–4 mm incision.
Does SMILE Pro cause less dry eye?
Because the incision is small, fewer corneal nerves are cut than with a LASIK flap, and studies suggest less early dry eye. Dry eye can still occur and is usually temporary.
Does it hurt?
Numbing drops are used. Most people feel pressure, not pain, during the procedure, and mild grittiness or watering for a few hours afterwards.
How long is the procedure?
The laser step is under 10 seconds per eye; with preparation and lenticule removal you spend roughly 10–15 minutes in the operating room.
How much does SMILE Pro cost at BGSS?
₩2,500,000–₩4,000,000 (about $1,760–$2,830) for both eyes, including the exam, surgery and standard post-op medications.
Why is the price a range?
It depends on your prescription and treatment plan. Your exact price is confirmed after the diagnostic exam.
When can I work, exercise or swim?
Desk work usually within 1–2 days. Swimming, contact sports and eye make-up are restricted for a period your surgeon specifies.
When can I fly home?
Usually within a few days; your surgeon checks your eyes before departure and confirms when it is safe to fly.
What are the risks?
Possible effects include dry eye, glare or halos, under- or over-correction and, rarely, problems with lenticule removal. Most early symptoms settle over weeks.
Can SMILE Pro be enhanced later?
If a residual prescription remains, an enhancement may be possible, often with a surface laser technique. Your surgeon will discuss options.
Who should not have SMILE Pro?
People with thin or irregular corneas, suspected keratoconus, unstable prescriptions or pregnancy are usually advised against it or to wait.
How do I find out if I am a candidate?
Send your prescription to +82-10-7632-8782 for a free pre-assessment, reply within 24 hours; the final decision follows a 2–3 hour exam.
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.
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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.
