SMILE pro & ICL surgery in Seoul — SNU Eye Clinic

Dr. Chung Eui Sang has performed SMILE surgery since 2011. We use ZEISS VISUMAX 800 for SMILE pro and recommend options based on your eye exam. If ICL is right for you, we select the lens using detailed eye measurements.

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SNU EYE CLINIC

Rediscover a clearer world
A fresh perspective on life

Our vision changes, much like the phases of the moon.
As the moon moves through its orbit, its appearance changes from a full circle to a crescent.
Our eyesight can also change over time for many different reasons.

At SNU Eye Clinic, vision correction is more than a procedure.
It is a journey towards seeing the world more clearly.

Just as a crescent moon gradually becomes full again,
we are here to support you on your journey to clearer vision.

OUR DOCTORS
Chung Eui Sang Medical Director

A pioneer of SMILE and Toric ICL in Korea,
involved in the procedures’ introduction and early clinical research.

  • Doctorate in Medicine, Seoul National University
  • Ophthalmology Fellow, Seoul National University Hospital
  • Ophthalmology Fellow, Samsung Medical Center
  • Professor, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center
  • Director of Daejeon Eye Hospital
  • Research Professor, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School
  • Certified SMILE Surgeon
  • TICL Reference Doctor
  • ICL & Toric ICL Expert Surgeon
OUR DOCTORS
Lee Min Gyu Director

Recognized as a top ophthalmology resident at Samsung Medical Center
Vision correction tailored to you

  • Bachelor of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine
  • Intern, Samsung Medical Center
  • Ophthalmology Resident, Samsung Medical Center (top resident)
  • Director of Seoul Samsung Eye Clinic
  • Director of Bright St. Mary’s Eye Clinic Gangnam
  • Certified SMILE Surgeon
  • Certified SMART LASIK Surgeon
OUR DOCTORS
Won Yeo Kyoung Director

Vision correction specialist and former university hospital professor

  • MD, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, South Korea
  • Master of Medical Science, Chungnam National University, South Korea
  • Doctor of Medical Science, Chungnam National University, South Korea
  • PhD in Medicine, Chungnam National University, South Korea
  • Internship, Chungnam National University Hospital 
  • Ophthalmology Resident, Chungnam National University Hospital
  • Fellow in Cornea, External Eye Disease and Refractive Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul
  • Clinical Assistant Professor in Cornea, External Eye Disease and Refractive Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul
  • Certified SMILE Surgeon
OUR DOCTORS
Kim Seong Hee Director

Ongoing care after surgery

  • Bachelor of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine
  • Intern, Asan Medical Center, Seoul
  • Resident, Samsung Medical Center
  • Specialist, Samsung Medical Center
  • Head of Ophthalmology, Armed Forces Yangju Hospital
  • Chief of Ophthalmology, Jeonju Hospital
  • Director of Mokpo Seoul Ophthalmology Clinic
  • Adjunct Professor, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine
SNU EYE CLINIC

Eye care for
international patients

Our staff are here to
assist international patients.
1,200 international patients visited SNU Eye Clinic in 2022–2023.
More than 1,000 international patients had vision correction surgery at SNU Eye Clinic in 2022–2023.
SMILE VISION CORRECTION

SMILE in Korea:
SNU Eye Clinic
from the beginning

Dr. Chung Eui Sang, one of 11 international SMILE research doctors
Introduced SMILE in Korea in May 2011 and participated in early clinical research
Early experience with VisuMax technology and femtosecond laser surgery
ZEISS-certified eye clinic
Designated a SMILE Frontier Center
All surgeons are certified by ZEISS to perform SMILE

What sets SMILE at SNU Eye Clinic apart?

HISTORY

2006

Initial development of VisuMax

2008

CE certification in Europe

2009

Approved by Korea’s food and drug
regulatory authority

2010

Visited Carl Zeiss headquarters in Germany to see VisuMax manufacturing and meet company leaders; later observed SMILE surgery and exchanged surgical techniques in Germany and India

May 2011

Dr. Chung Eui Sang performed SMILE surgery and presented clinical findings while at Samsung Medical Center.

2011

Korean SMILE clinical results presented at the 2011 APACRS congress (Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons)

2012

SMILE clinical results presented at APAO and the 2012 ESCRS congress

2018

US FDA approval

2020

Expansion of the SNU SMILE Center

2021

Additional 2021-model VisuMax installed

2022

SMILE procedures reached 1 million in Korea and 7 million worldwide

14 August 2023

SMILE pro introduced at SNU Eye Clinic; first procedure performed

How SMILE works

A small corneal incision, approximately 2 mm long
A femtosecond laser creates a thin piece of tissue within the cornea. This tissue is removed through the small incision to correct vision, without creating a corneal flap.
A short laser procedure designed to limit discomfort and support a return to everyday activities
Precisely controlled femtosecond laser energy
Treatment planning for high myopia and astigmatism includes an assessment of the risk of regression

What we assess before SMILE

CASE 01High myopia
CASE 02High astigmatism
CASE 03Large pupils
CASE 04Existing
corneal conditions
CASE 05Corneal asymmetry
CASE 06Severe dry eye

At SNU Eye Clinic, treatment is tailored to each patient:

the optical zone, amount of tissue removed, astigmatism axis
and laser energy are planned around the individual eye.

An ophthalmologist will assess whether surgery is suitable after a full examination. Some corneal conditions and severe dry eye may rule out surgery.

SMILE PRO

SMILE pro: precision tailored to your eyes

Innovative technology

Precise alignment

  • CentraLign

    Provides visual guidance to help the surgeon
    center the treatment on the cornea.

  • OcuLign

    Helps the surgeon adjust for eye rotation
    and align treatment with the astigmatism axis.

Shorter laser treatment

Faster lenticule creation

Robotic assistance

Robotic assistance helps position the laser unit for treatment
An early adopter of SMILE pro,
SNU Eye Clinic was the first in Korea
to reach 100 treated eyes

The head of refractive surgery
at ZEISS headquarters in Germany
visited the site of Korea’s first SMILE pro procedure.

SMILE pro features

  • Live monitoring during surgery
  • ZEISS ophthalmic surgical microscope
  • 2 million laser pulses per second; lenticule creation in as little as 7 seconds
  • A pressure-control system helps maintain stable suction during treatment
SNU EYE CLINIC

A personalized SMILE treatment plan for your eyes

What we assess before SMILE pro

CASE 01High myopia
CASE 02High astigmatism
CASE 03Corneal asymmetry
CASE 04Anxiety about
eye surgery
CASE 05Expectations for recovery and quality of vision

An ophthalmologist will assess whether surgery is suitable after a full examination. Some corneal conditions and severe dry eye may rule out surgery.

ICL LENS IMPLANTATION

Precise eye measurements and experience
gained over 20 years of lens implantation

SNU FITTING: ICL selection tailored to the anatomy of your eye

We use 3D imaging to assess your eye’s anatomy and select the lens
and placement most appropriate for your individual eye.

Chung Eui Sang

  • 01Experience with lens implantation since its introduction in Korea in 2001

  • 02Toric ICL rotation rate below 1%
    (SNU Eye Clinic’s figures for patients receiving toric lens implants)

  • 03Introduced Toric ICL in Korea in 2005 and participated in clinical research

  • 04Partnership with EVO ICL manufacturer STAAR Surgical
    as a recognized lens implantation clinic

How ICL surgery works

ICL surgery preserves the natural lens and does not remove corneal tissue.
A lens with the appropriate prescription is placed inside the eye to correct vision.

What we assess before
ICL surgery

CASE 01Suitability when LASIK or LASEK is not an option
CASE 02Corneal thickness in relation to the required correction
CASE 03Pupil size in low light
CASE 04Dry eye severity
CASE 05Corneal conditions, including keratoconus

An ophthalmologist will assess whether surgery is suitable after a full examination. Some corneal conditions and severe dry eye may rule out surgery.

PRESBYOPIA & CATARACTS

Who would you trust with your presbyopia or cataract surgery?

Care from an ophthalmologist
who has personally undergone presbyopia and cataract surgery

Dr. Chung Eui Sang is a Reference Doctor for Alcon’s PanOptix and Vivity lenses.

Alcon, ZEISS and FineVision:
intraocular lens manufacturers that have
recognized Dr. Chung as a Reference Doctor.

Age-related near-vision changes
and cataracts:
different conditions that can occur together

  • Presbyopia

    Presbyopia is an age-related loss of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects as the natural lens becomes less flexible.

  • Cataract

    A cataract is clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which can blur vision. An eye examination can help determine when treatment is appropriate.

A detailed examination helps us recommend a suitable treatment,
taking each patient’s symptoms and eye health into account.

Intraocular lens options

Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens. Some lens options can also reduce dependence on reading glasses.

We help you choose an intraocular lens based on
your vision, eye health, daily activities and the distances at which you need to see clearly.

FineVision
PanOptix
Eyhance
AT LISA family
AT LARA
Vivity
Clareon

Patient guides

Considering vision correction in Seoul?

Read about your options, treatment costs and what to expect before and after surgery.

View patient guides
OUR EQUIPMENT

Personalized care supported by
a range of 52 diagnostic examinations

Diagnostic and surgical technology to support your care

Vision correction surgery

zoom_inDetailsVisuMax

VisuMax

VisuMax

VisuMax

A femtosecond laser system for SMILE vision correction

SNU Eye Clinic has two VisuMax systems, including a 2021 model.
zoom_inDetailsMEL 90

MEL 90

MEL 90

MEL 90

ZEISS excimer laser technology for LASIK and other corneal refractive procedures. Treatment is planned to preserve as much corneal tissue as possible.
zoom_inDetailsLUMERA 700

LUMERA 700

LUMERA 700

LUMERA 700

An ophthalmic surgical microscope from ZEISS

Provides a clear, detailed view of the surgical field.
zoom_inDetailsCALLISTO eye

CALLISTO eye

CALLISTO eye

CALLISTO eye

Image-guided assistance for eye surgery

Visual guidance helps the surgeon plan incisions and align treatment with the astigmatism axis.
zoom_inDetailsVisuMax 800

VisuMax 800

VisuMax 800

VisuMax 800

Introduced in Korea in 2023, the VISUMAX 800 is a femtosecond laser system for SMILE pro, with faster lenticule creation and features that support treatment alignment.

SNU Eye Clinic was among approximately 10 Korean clinics that adopted the system at its initial introduction.

Cataract surgery

zoom_inDetailsCatalys Precision Laser

Catalys Precision Laser

Catalys Precision Laser

Catalys Precision Laser

Laser technology for cataract surgery

A femtosecond laser system that assists with selected stages of cataract surgery, including capsulotomy and lens fragmentation.
zoom_inDetailsCenturion

Centurion

Centurion

Centurion

A phacoemulsification system for cataract surgery

Helps maintain intraocular pressure and a stable anterior chamber while the surgeon removes the cataract.

Retinal surgery

zoom_inDetailsConstellation

Constellation

Constellation

Constellation

A surgical system for retinal and vitreous procedures

Combines high-speed vitreous cutting, at up to 7,500 cuts per minute, with pressure control. It can also support combined cataract and retinal surgery.

Diagnostic equipment

zoom_inDetailsCASIA 2

CASIA 2

CASIA 2

Anterior segment imaging

CASIA 2

CASIA2 is an anterior segment OCT system with a 13 mm scan depth. It captures corneal topography in 0.3 seconds and provides high-resolution 360° imaging for corneal assessment and intraocular lens planning.
zoom_inDetailsKeratograph 5M — tear film assessment

Keratograph 5M — tear film assessment

Keratograph 5M — tear film assessment

Keratograph 5M — tear film assessment

Keratograph 5M — tear film assessment

Assesses the tear film and ocular surface, including tear film stability, tear meniscus height, redness and the meibomian glands.
zoom_inDetailsPENTACAM

PENTACAM

PENTACAM

PENTACAM

A rotating Scheimpflug imaging system that measures the anterior segment, including the front and back of the cornea, anterior chamber and lens.
zoom_inDetailsSpecular Microscope

Specular Microscope

Specular Microscope

Specular Microscope

Examines corneal endothelial cells before and after surgery.
zoom_inDetailsARK

ARK

ARK

ARK

An autorefractor/keratometer that measures refractive error and corneal curvature.
zoom_inDetailsEye pressure measurement

Eye pressure measurement

Eye pressure measurement

Eye pressure measurement

Measures intraocular pressure and corneal thickness.

Elevated intraocular pressure can damage the optic nerve and is an important risk factor for glaucoma.
zoom_inDetailsOCT Optovue

OCT Optovue

OCT Optovue

OCT Optovue

OCT imaging provides detailed cross-sectional views of the retina and optic nerve for assessment.
zoom_inDetailsHumphrey® Matrix

Humphrey® Matrix

Humphrey® Matrix

Humphrey® Matrix

Visual field testing designed to help detect functional changes associated with glaucoma.
zoom_inDetailsFundus photography

Fundus photography

Fundus photography

Fundus photography

Photographs the retina and optic nerve to help identify signs of eye disease.
zoom_inDetailsGalilei G4

Galilei G4

Galilei G4

Galilei G4

Corneal topography and tomography

Captures up to 60 images per second and data from up to 100,000 measurement points to assess corneal shape and support surgical planning.
zoom_inDetailsMovu Argos

Movu Argos

Movu Argos

Movu Argos

Swept-source OCT biometry

Non-contact measurements of the eye, including axial length, help calculate the intraocular lens power for cataract surgery. The system can also obtain measurements in many eyes with dense cataracts.
zoom_inDetailsKowa nonmyd WX 3D

Kowa nonmyd WX 3D

Kowa nonmyd WX 3D

Kowa nonmyd WX 3D

Three-dimensional imaging of the retina and optic nerve

Produces detailed fundus images and 3D reconstructions, often without pupil dilation, to support retinal and glaucoma assessment.
zoom_inDetailsKONAN NSP-7700

KONAN NSP-7700

KONAN NSP-7700

KONAN NSP-7700

Corneal endothelial cell analysis

Measures the density and shape of corneal endothelial cells, which cannot be assessed with the unaided eye.
zoom_inDetailsKAXIN ODU8

KAXIN ODU8

KAXIN ODU8

KAXIN ODU8

30 frames per second, with a stated measurement error within 0.02 mm

Ultrasound imaging and measurements of the eye, including axial length, anterior chamber depth and lens thickness. Useful when opacity limits the view inside the eye.
zoom_inDetailsDRI OCT-Atlantis

DRI OCT-Atlantis

DRI OCT-Atlantis

DRI OCT-Atlantis

Swept-source OCT imaging of the vitreous, retina and choroid at 100,000 scans per second

Swept-source OCT imaging of the vitreous, retina and choroid at 100,000 scans per second
zoom_inDetailsCirrus 6000

Cirrus 6000

Cirrus 6000

Cirrus 6000

Optical coherence tomography

ZEISS CIRRUS 6000 provides OCT imaging at 100,000 scans per second, with scans up to 12 mm wide. High-resolution OCT and OCT angiography support assessment of retinal structures and small blood vessels.
zoom_inDetailsOptos Daytona

Optos Daytona

Optos Daytona

Optos Daytona

Ultra-widefield retinal imaging up to 200°

Captures a wide view of the retina in less than a second, usually without dilation. Color and autofluorescence imaging help assess both the central and peripheral retina.
zoom_inDetailsHumphrey Field Analyzer

Humphrey Field Analyzer

Humphrey Field Analyzer

Humphrey Field Analyzer

Visual field testing

Measures visual field function to help assess and monitor glaucoma. Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) supports comparison of results over time.
zoom_inDetailsHRA

HRA

HRA

HRA

Detailed retinal and choroidal imaging

Combines scanning laser ophthalmoscopy with high-resolution OCT. Eye tracking helps capture images at the same location on repeat visits, supporting assessment of retinal disease.
zoom_inDetailsIOLMaster 700

IOLMaster 700

IOLMaster 700

IOLMaster 700

Non-contact optical biometry to calculate intraocular lens power for cataract surgery

Measures the eye without touching the cornea and supports lens power calculations. Topical anesthesia is not needed for this measurement.
zoom_inDetailsRETeval ERG

RETeval ERG

RETeval ERG

RETeval ERG

Retinal function testing with skin electrodes

Measures retinal electrical responses using skin electrodes. No electrode rests directly on the cornea, which can make testing more comfortable, including for children and people who find other tests difficult.

Treatment equipment

zoom_inDetailsA.R.C LASER Q-LAS

A.R.C LASER Q-LAS

A.R.C LASER Q-LAS

A.R.C LASER Q-LAS

Nd:YAG laser treatment for posterior capsule opacification and selected angle-closure conditions

Nd:YAG laser used for posterior capsulotomy after cataract surgery and peripheral iridotomy when clinically indicated.
zoom_inDetailsPASCAL SYNTHESIS LASER

PASCAL SYNTHESIS LASER

PASCAL SYNTHESIS LASER

PASCAL SYNTHESIS LASER

Pattern-scanning retinal laser treatment

Delivers laser spots in selected patterns with controlled spacing to support treatment of retinal disease.
zoom_inDetailsM22 IPL

M22 IPL

M22 IPL

M22 IPL

Intense pulsed light for selected cases of meibomian gland dysfunction

Applies intense pulsed light to the skin around the eyes to help manage meibomian gland dysfunction associated with dry eye.
zoom_inDetailsAcutron

Acutron

Acutron

Acutron

High-frequency treatment system

Used for selected procedures involving conjunctivochalasis, conjunctival lesions and punctal occlusion in dry eye treatment, according to the clinician’s assessment.
OUR CLINIC

3rd Floor

12th Floor

Contact us
call+82 2 548 0201
Opening hours
  • Mon / Tue / Thu / Fri9:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Sat8:30 am – 2:00 pm
  • Lunch break1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
  • Closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
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Getting here
ICT Tower, 3rd and 12th floors, 624 Gangnam-daero,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (502-6 Sinsa-dong). Sinsa Station, Exit 6.

Mechanical underground parking is accessible from the rear of the building.

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