Laser Eye Surgery in Korea –
Seoul BGSS Eye Clinic
Laser Eye Surgery in Korea — Planning, Prices and What to Expect
A practical guide for travellers considering laser eye surgery in Korea: realistic 2026 prices, how many days to plan, what happens on each day, and questions to ask so that a lower price abroad does not mean lower standards.
- Both eyes from ₩1.9M, exam included
- About one week in Korea for most patients
- Korea's first JCI-accredited eye clinic
Is it worth getting laser eye surgery in Korea?
For many travellers it can be, provided the clinic matches the standards you would expect at home. At BGSS Eye Clinic, laser eye surgery costs ₩1.9M–₩2.4M (LASIK), ₩2.2M–₩2.8M (LASEK/PRK) or ₩2.5M–₩4.0M (SMILE Pro) for both eyes, including the exam, with JCI accreditation, named surgeons and remote follow-up. Budget about one week plus flights and hotel.
- LASIK (both eyes)
- ₩1.9M – ₩2.4M
- SMILE Pro (both eyes)
- ₩2.5M – ₩4.0M
- Stay
- About 1 week
- Accreditation
- JCI
What a laser eye surgery trip costs
Procedure prices are fixed ranges; travel costs depend on you.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK, both eyes | ₩1.9M–₩2.4M (≈ $1,340–$1,690) | Exam, surgery and standard meds included |
| LASEK/PRK, both eyes | ₩2.2M–₩2.8M (≈ $1,550–$1,980) | Allow 3–5 days for healing |
| SMILE Pro, both eyes | ₩2.5M–₩4.0M (≈ $1,760–$2,830) | ZEISS VisuMax 800 |
| Flights & hotel | Varies | About one week; coordinators advise on hotels nearby |
| Extra medications | If needed | Beyond standard post-op drops |
Final price after your exam. Older figures you may see online are outdated.
A typical week in Seoul
Adjusted to your procedure and flights.
Arrival & exam
2–3 hour exam at Gangnam (Apgujeong Rodeo Exit 5). Arrive having stopped contact lenses as instructed.
Surgery
Often the same or next day. Laser time is seconds per eye; you go back to your hotel to rest.
Next-day check
Surgeon reviews healing. LASIK and SMILE Pro patients usually move around comfortably; LASEK patients rest more.
Pre-flight review
Final check; your surgeon confirms when it is safe to fly. Remote follow-up continues.
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
No obligation · English · 中文 · 日本語 · Tiếng Việt · Монгол · Bahasa Indonesia
Questions to ask any overseas clinic
Make sure a lower price does not mean lower standards.
You should get clear answers to
- Who exactly will operate, and their credentials
- Is the exam included and done before the final price?
- Which laser platform is used?
- What happens if I have a problem after flying home?
Be cautious if you hear
- A price quoted with no exam
- "Guaranteed 20/20" or "no risk"
- Surgery booked before records are reviewed
- No written aftercare instructions
BGSS answers these in writing during your free pre-assessment.
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.
How surgery in Korea works, step by step
Most international patients plan a stay of about one week. Your coordinator confirms the exact timeline after reviewing your records.
Send your details
WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat or KakaoTalk your prescription and preferred dates. Free, with no obligation.
Get a personal plan
Receive a likely procedure, an estimated cost and a reserved exam slot.
Exam & surgery in Seoul
A 2–3 hour exam with your surgeon. If suitable, surgery can often be the same or next day.
Follow-up & fly home
Post-op checks before departure, then remote follow-up. Your surgeon confirms when it is safe to fly.
Frequently asked questions
Why is laser eye surgery cheaper in Korea?
Pricing reflects the local healthcare market and high procedure volumes. Compare inclusions, accreditation and surgeon experience, not just the headline price.
Can I sightsee after surgery?
Light activity is usually fine after the first day or two for LASIK and SMILE Pro. Avoid rubbing eyes, swimming, saunas and dusty places until cleared.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is sensible. BGSS provides English medical records and insurance documents for claims; coverage depends on your policy.
What if my eyes need more time to heal?
Allow some flexibility in your return flight, particularly for LASEK/PRK. Your surgeon confirms when it is safe to fly.
Is laser eye surgery in Korea regulated?
Medical procedures in Korea are regulated nationally. BGSS additionally holds JCI accreditation, an international standard.
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
- Reply within 24 hours
- 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.
Advanced Vision Correction in Gangnam, Seoul
Laser eye surgery in Korea is globally recognized for its precision technology, experienced refractive surgeons, and efficient recovery systems.
Seoul BGSS Eye Clinic in Gangnam offers a full spectrum of laser vision correction procedures, including SMILE Pro, Custom LASIK, Bladeless LASIK, LASEK, and ICL lens implantation, tailored to each patient’s eye condition.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea using advanced laser technology to correct refractive errors such as:
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
- Hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
The goal is to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
Procedures at Seoul BGSS Eye Clinic
✔ SMILE Pro (Minimally Invasive)
- Small incision technique
- No corneal flap
- Lower dry eye incidence in suitable candidates
- Fast recovery
✔ Custom / Wavefront LASIK
- Personalized laser mapping
- Treats higher-order aberrations
- Improved night vision clarity
✔ Bladeless LASIK (All-Laser)
- Femtosecond laser flap creation
- High precision and predictability
- Rapid visual improvement
✔ LASEK / PRK
- Surface-based laser correction
- Suitable for thinner corneas
- Longer healing period
✔ ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
- Lens inserted inside the eye
- Ideal for high myopia or thin corneas
- Reversible option
Why Choose Seoul BGSS Eye Clinic in Gangnam?
🔬 Advanced Diagnostic System
- Corneal topography & tomography
- Pachymetry (corneal thickness mapping)
- Wavefront aberrometry
- Tear film & ocular surface evaluation
- Retinal examination
👁 Personalized Surgical Planning
Each patient receives a customized treatment recommendation based on detailed structural and refractive analysis.
🌎 International Patient Care
- English-speaking coordinators
- Medical tourism-friendly scheduling
- Structured post-operative follow-up system
Estimated Cost of Laser Eye Surgery in Korea
ProcedureApproximate Range (KRW)SMILE Pro₩2.5M – ₩3.8MLASIK₩1.8M – ₩3.0MLASEK₩1.5M – ₩2.5MICL₩4.5M – ₩7.0M
Final pricing depends on prescription level, corneal thickness, and chosen technology.
Recovery Timeline
- Noticeable visual improvement within 24–48 hours (LASIK/SMILE)
- Mild dryness or light sensitivity possible initially
- Full stabilization may take several weeks
- Follow-up visits ensure safe healing
Location – Gangnam, Seoul
Seoul BGSS Eye Clinic is located in the heart of Gangnam, one of Korea’s most advanced districts for ophthalmic and refractive surgery.
