JCI Korea's first JCI-accredited eye clinic

Vision Correction & Lens Surgery — Every Option, One Exam

Compare LASIK, LASEK, SMILE Pro, EVO ICL and cataract/presbyopia lens surgery at BGSS Seoul and Busan. One 2–3 hour diagnostic exam shows which treatment is safest for your cornea, prescription and age.

  • Five surgical options under one roof
  • Recommendation based on measurements, not price
  • Transparent 2026 prices, exam included
628,000+ vision correction surgeries
12 ophthalmologists
✚ Korea's first JCI-accredited eye clinic ◎ ZEISS VisuMax 800 for SMILE Pro ★ Founded 1997 · 29 years ⚕ Korea's first eye clinic designated for Advanced Regenerative Medicine ◆ Keynote: STAAR Surgical EVO ICL APAC Experts Summit 2024 ◆ Keynote: Korea SMILE Forum 2025 ✓ 628,000+ vision correction procedures ☎ Support in 6 languages
Quick answer

Which eye surgery is right for me: LASIK, SMILE, ICL or lens surgery?

It depends on your age, prescription and corneal thickness. Adults with mild–moderate myopia and healthy corneas usually suit LASIK (from ₩1.9M) or SMILE Pro (₩2.5M–₩4.0M); thin corneas often suit LASEK or EVO ICL; high myopia usually suits ICL; people over about 50 or with cataract are better served by lens surgery. A BGSS surgeon confirms after a full exam.

Under ~45, mild–moderate myopia
LASIK / SMILE Pro
Thin cornea
LASEK or ICL
High myopia
EVO ICL
Cataract / presbyopia
Lens surgery
628,000+ Vision correction surgeries
160,000+ SMILE / SMILE Pro cases
66,000+ ICL lens implants
49,000+ Presbyopia & cataract
12 Ophthalmologists in Seoul & Busan
Cumulative totals, Seoul + Busan branches, as of December 2025. View statistics
Treatments

Our five main procedures

Each links to a full guide with mechanism, candidacy, risks and recovery.

Laser · flap

LASIK

Bladeless femtosecond flap plus wavefront/topography-guided excimer reshaping. Functional vision usually the next day.

Both eyes ₩1.9M–₩2.4M
LASIK guide →
Laser · flapless

SMILE Pro

ZEISS VisuMax 800 removes a thin lenticule through a 2–4 mm incision; laser step under 10 seconds per eye. Recovery 1–2 days.

Both eyes ₩2.5M–₩4.0M
SMILE Pro guide →
Laser · surface

LASEK / PRK

Surface treatment with no flap — preserves the most corneal stroma, often chosen for thinner corneas or contact sports. Recovery 3–5 days.

Both eyes ₩2.2M–₩2.8M
LASEK guide →
Implant · no tissue removed

EVO ICL

A removable collamer lens placed behind the iris, in front of your natural lens. Suits high myopia and thin corneas. Clear vision usually within 24 h.

Both eyes ₩5.2M–₩7.0M
ICL guide →
Lens replacement

Cataract & presbyopia

The clouded or stiffened natural lens is replaced with a monofocal, EDOF or trifocal IOL such as Clareon PanOptix Pro. Recovery 1–2 days.

Per eye ₩1.5M–₩7.25M
Cataract guide →
Research

Regenerative eye medicine

Korea's first ophthalmology clinic designated as an Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution, researching corneal and retinal regeneration.

Compare

How the options differ at a glance

Typical characteristics; your exam results decide what is safest for your eyes.

How the options differ at a glance
Where it works Typical candidate Recovery Reversible?
LASIK Corneal stroma under a flap Mild–moderate myopia, normal cornea Next day No
SMILE Pro Corneal stroma, keyhole incision Myopia/astigmatism, dry-eye concerns 1–2 days No
LASEK / PRK Corneal surface Thinner corneas, contact sports 3–5 days No
EVO ICL Inside the eye, behind the iris High myopia, thin corneas Usually within 24 h Yes — lens can be removed
Lens surgery (IOL) Replaces the natural lens Cataract or presbyopia, usually 50+ 1–2 days (varies by lens) Lens exchange possible but rarely needed

Recovery times are typical, not guaranteed. Sources: FDA; AAO EyeWiki (see references).

Free personal plan

Your treatment plan and price within 24 hours

  1. 1 Send a photo of your glasses or prescription
  2. 2 Get a likely procedure and estimated cost
  3. 3 Reserve an exam slot for your trip
Start on WhatsApp — it's free Take the 30-second check

No obligation · English · 中文 · 日本語 · Tiếng Việt · Монгол · Bahasa Indonesia

How we decide

How your surgeon chooses a procedure

The diagnostic exam narrows five options down to the one that fits your eye.

Corneal thickness & shape

Pachymetry and tomography rule out thin or irregular corneas (e.g. keratoconus) that make flap or lenticule surgery unsafe.

Prescription & stability

Very high myopia usually points to ICL; a prescription still changing means waiting.

Tear film & lifestyle

Dry eye or contact sports favour flapless SMILE Pro or surface LASEK.

Lens health & age

Early cataract or presbyopia shifts the conversation to lens replacement rather than corneal laser.

Safety first

One exam, an honest recommendation

Every procedure carries risks — dry eye, night glare and halos, under- or over-correction for laser surgery; raised eye pressure or lens-related issues for implants. The best way to reduce them is choosing the right operation for the eye in front of you.

At BGSS the same 2–3 hour work-up is used whichever procedure you came in asking about. If none is safe for you, your surgeon will say so. That is part of how a JCI-accredited clinic is expected to work.

  • Exam included in every procedure price
  • Second option explained if your first choice is unsuitable
  • Surgery often same or next day after the exam
  • Remote follow-up after you fly home
Diagnostic exam room at BGSS Eye Clinic
Transparent pricing

BGSS Eye Clinic 2026 prices

Every package includes the pre-operative exam, the surgery and standard post-op medications.

BGSS Eye Clinic 2026 prices
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
30-second check

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
Question 1 of 3

How old are you?

Verified credentials

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.

Experience 628,000+ procedures since 1997
  • 160,000+ SMILE / SMILE Pro
  • 66,000+ ICL lens implants
  • 49,000+ presbyopia & cataract
Expertise 12 ophthalmologists, Seoul & Busan
  • Many with M.D., Ph.D. research backgrounds
  • Founder Dr. Jong-Ho Lee: 56,000+ ICL eyes
  • Complex-case and toric ICL positioning
Authority Keynote at international ophthalmology forums
  • 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
Trust JCI Korea's first accredited eye clinic
  • Ministry of Health & Welfare–designated regenerative medicine institution
  • 2026 prices published openly
  • Medical content reviewed by an ophthalmologist
Dr. Jong-Ho Lee presenting ICL surgery at a STAAR Surgical international forum
Medical reviewer

Dr. Jong-Ho Lee, M.D., Ph.D.

Founder & CEO since 1997 M.D., Ph.D. 56,000+ ICL eyes STAAR Surgical keynote speaker Korea SMILE Forum

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.

International patients

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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest vision correction surgery at BGSS?

LASIK is the most affordable at ₩1.9M–₩2.4M for both eyes, including the exam. The cheapest option is only right if your corneas are suitable — your surgeon will tell you after measuring.

Is SMILE Pro better than LASIK?

Neither is universally better. SMILE Pro is flapless and may suit dry eyes or contact sports; LASIK costs less and recovers very quickly. See our SMILE vs SMILE Pro guide.

I was told I am not a LASIK candidate. What else is there?

Thin or irregular corneas often still suit LASEK or EVO ICL, and very high prescriptions usually suit ICL. Send your previous results for a free pre-assessment.

Can I have surgery if I am over 45?

Yes, but presbyopia changes the picture. Many people over 45–50 are better served by presbyopia-correcting lens surgery than corneal laser; your exam will check your natural lens.

Can I get the exam and surgery in one trip?

Usually yes. Surgery is often the same or next day after the 2–3 hour exam, and most international patients plan about a week in Korea.

Are prices the same in Seoul and Busan?

Yes. Both clinics follow the same 2026 price schedule; the final price is confirmed after your 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.

  • 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.

Treatments