The cost of vision correction in Korea depends on which procedure and settings your eye exam calls for, so Gangnam Central Eye Clinic provides pricing after consultation.
The cost of vision correction in Korea is not a single fixed number: it depends on which procedure and which specific settings your eye exam calls for, so Gangnam Central Eye Clinic provides pricing after consultation. Here is how pricing for laser vision correction and lens implants is actually determined, and what to ask so there are no surprises.
Which procedures are priced, and what drives the cost of each?
Each procedure below is priced individually after your exam. What changes the figure is the technique and, for lens procedures, the lens itself.
| Procedure | What mainly affects the cost |
|---|---|
| LASIK | Sub-method and equipment settings chosen for your cornea |
| LASEK | Technique and settings chosen for your cornea |
| SMILE-type LASIK | Technique and settings chosen for your cornea |
| ICL (implantable lens) | Lens line and specification, and whether the lens must be made to order |
| Cataract surgery with multifocal lens | Type of lens selected, from monofocal to premium multifocal |
| Dream Lens (orthokeratology) | Lens fitting required for your eyes |
Pricing is provided after consultation, once the exam has shown which procedure and settings fit your eyes.
Why can't the cost be confirmed before the exam?
Two patients getting "LASIK" can end up with different equipment settings, different correction amounts, or a different sub-method (for example, flap-based vs. SMILE-type) depending entirely on their own corneal measurements. For cataract surgery specifically, the cost differs widely because the lens options span a standard monofocal lens up to premium multifocal or extended-depth-of-focus lenses (such as J&J's Odyssey, Synergy, PureSee, or Eyhance, or Alcon's PanOptix or Vivity). None of this can be quoted precisely before your eyes are examined, which is why the clinic confirms the figure only after consultation.
How is pricing handled for international patients?
This article does not list prices for international patients. Any pricing question specific to your situation, including how your visit is arranged, is answered directly during consultation. If you are given a figure before any exam has taken place, it is worth asking what that figure is based on.
Is vision correction typically covered by insurance?
In most countries, elective refractive procedures like LASIK, LASEK, SMILE-type correction, and ICL are not considered medically necessary and are therefore not covered by standard health insurance or typical travel insurance — this is a general pattern across health systems, not specific to Korea. If you are traveling from abroad specifically for vision correction, it's worth confirming with your own insurance provider before your trip rather than assuming coverage. Cataract surgery is a different case in many countries, since it is often classified as medically necessary; however, coverage for premium multifocal lens upgrades specifically is frequently limited or excluded even where cataract surgery itself is covered, so that portion is worth checking separately.
What is included in the quoted cost?
What is bundled into a quoted figure (pre-operative exams, the surgery itself, and the follow-up visit schedule) is exactly the kind of detail confirmed during consultation — ask this directly when you receive your personalized quote so there are no surprises about what a follow-up visit costs if you extend your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) Why does ICL usually cost more than LASIK or LASEK — what's actually different?
A1) ICL involves a manufactured lens (from STAAR's Aqua ICL or ECHO ICL lines) that is custom-matched to your eye and surgically placed inside it, compared to laser correction, which reshapes existing corneal tissue rather than adding an implanted device. The lens itself, the more involved surgical placement, and the fact that some lens specifications require made-to-order manufacturing (which can also affect whether same-day surgery is possible) all factor into the difference.
Q2) Will I be told the cost before or after the eye exam?
A2) After. The exact cost for your case is provided after the pre-surgery exam and consultation, since the exam determines which specific procedure and settings apply to your eyes.
Q3) Are there hidden costs like a "surgeon's fee" separate from the procedure price?
A3) What is and isn't included in a quoted figure is exactly what to confirm at consultation — ask specifically whether the follow-up visit schedule, any medication, and post-operative check-ups are part of the quote or billed separately.
Q4) Does the cost change based on how much correction I need (e.g. high myopia vs. mild)?
A4) It can. The specific settings, technique, or lens required for your correction amount affect the cost, and these are confirmed at your exam, with pricing provided after consultation.
Q5) Does the cost include the follow-up visits after I return home?
A5) This is a logistics question worth raising directly at consultation, especially if you won't be in Korea for the full standard follow-up schedule (day after, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months). Ask how remote follow-up or a shortened in-person schedule is typically handled for international patients.
Visiting Gangnam Central Eye Clinic
Gangnam Central Eye Clinic is located at Teheran-ro 333, Sindo Venture Tower, 9th floor, Seoul, near Seolleung Station Exit 5 (stairs) or Exit 6 (escalator). Hours: Monday and Friday 9:30–18:30, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30–19:30, Saturday 9:30–15:30; closed Wednesdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The building offers free parking (mechanical parking cannot accommodate SUVs, though SUV parking support is arranged at a neighboring building on surgery days). The clinic is a registered foreign-patient-treatment institution (registration no. M-2021-01-08-6311) with consultation support in Korean, English, and Chinese.
This article is provided for general informational purposes. The exact cost for your case is provided only after an in-person consultation and eye exam. Outcomes vary by individual, and depending on the case, side effects such as bleeding, infection, glare, or dry eye may occur.