Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RoyBatty]

Just wanted to tell my quick story about LASEK in Korea. I had mine done at Gangnam's popular Dream Eye Center about 6 months ago. It was 1.7 mil for everything (a great deal no matter how you look at it), the service was very friendly and easy to understand as they have staff who specialize in helping English speakers. They explain everything very clearly.

I'm sure you know all about the process by now. It's definitely not fun for the first few days after the procedure, but after a few weeks my eyesight became noticeably clearer. Now I have better than 20/20 vision, and not only that, everything seems brighter, clearer, more vivid than ever before, even with contacts or glasses in. All in all, I have nothing but good things to say about the procedure and especially Dream Eye Center.

Keep in mind, however, my correction was very low (-1.5), and the preliminary tests showed that I was an ideal candidate. Others may have riskier preliminary data or much higher correction (which equals higher risk of complications). Either way, they will give you a battery of preliminary eye tests for free, and explain everything to you thoroughly, so it doesn't hurt to simply call and schedule an appointment.

[roadwork]

What was it like the few days after? Were your eyes sensitive to light? Itchy? Throbbing?

[RoyBatty]

The two days after are pretty miserable. I basically had the sensation of sand or glass stuck in my eyes, but i couldn't do anything about it. A lot of tearing. I don't know if i'd call it 'pain' per se, but it's extremely uncomfortable. Basically, don't plan on doing anything useful for at least two days after surgery. I couldn't really use a computer or go outside. I stayed in my dark room, popped some sleeping pills and did my best to ride it out.

I hope I'm not making it sound too bad, because for the two or so days of discomfort, you get a lifetime of pristine vision. It's absolutely worth it, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Just make sure you have at least 3 or 4 days off of work (I did it on Saturday morning and was back at work on Tuesday). Also, I got to wear my aviator sunglasses while teaching (for protection from light), which was fun for me and the kids.

[roadwork]

Nah, that info is great. Thanks. I hate wearing glasses and dread the idea of contacts. I have mild astigmatism so I did some research on that, but as you said, the place does initial testing and counseling.

One thing, though. Does it really take about 4 weeks for the full effects of the surgery to kick in?

[youtuber]

[Bueongi]

I've been thinking about getting the surgery in Korea for some time now. I recently took a trip back to the States and saw my optometrist for a check-up. He said that my eyesight had stabilized enough to get the surgery. However, when he heard that I'm planning to go back to school in a year and later enter vet school, he discouraged me from having it done now. He said that with all the studying I will be doing, my eyes are likely to change significantly. Still, I would have to wait six years and by then I would be 32, and it probably wouldn't be much longer until my eyesight would start to naturally deteriorate. So my question is, if I have my eyes done at Dream Clinic right now and my eye sight declines over the next several years, will I be able to come back to Korea to have them redone (and is it free?)? Would it be a problem that I wouldn't be around for an extended period of time for subsequent check-ups? Has anyone been in a similar situation who can give me some advice?

[roadwork]

[Bueongi]

roadwork- I know it seems unlikely, but I could have sworn I read on one of these threads that subsequent touch-ups are free of charge.

[snoopdrew]

damn i should have gotten mine done in korea for cheap!

I got my LASEK done last year for $5K total in San Francisco from this doc who did lasik for the 49ers... I got a package deal where I got vip tix to a 49ers game... it was awesome seeing live football with 20/20 vision.

I play lots of sports too and my cornea was thinner than average so the doc had the LASEK procedure done on me where the cornea surface is zapped away permanently. It took a few weeks for my left eye to heal but my right eye took two months... doc said it was normal.

[freeridden]

I went to the Dream Eye Center and this is what I learned about LASEK:

People with high myopia can get the procedure done, but a few factors are considered. The higher the degree of myopia, the more that needs to be taken off your cornea. They also have to consider the degree your eyes tear because it is necessary for healthy eyes.

For example, if you have -9 myopia in your eyes and your cornea is thin, then maybe you cannot get it done. The doctors here are much more safety conscious than they are back home. No doctor should be taking your cornea down to the surface. Here they have guidelines that they shoot for. In my case, I have high myopia, but my corea thickness in both eyes is well above average, so after the surgery, I will still have enough cornea left over to meet the guidelines.

I was also told that Korean eyessight and western eyesight is a bit different. Here, they have more cases of high myopia patients, so they have more experience in dealing with these types of cases. They also said that they prefer doing LASEK than LASIK because LASIK has more risk for dry eye and future damage if hit in the eye.

I would suggest making an appointment and going through the testing. Ask tons of questions. Be thorough. Ask them what each test is and how it relates to your condition.

[peppergirl]

Another happy customer of Dream Eye Center in Gangnam here.

I had wavefront LASEK about 10 days ago, first 2-3 days were not great (couldn't stand any light at all and spent most of my time sleeping) but now my vision is great (went from -5 & -6 to +0.50 and +0.75). I can recommend the Dream Eye Center! Cost was 1.8 million, all meds, check-ups and lifetime retreatment included.

[blackjack]

I had my surgery at the dream eye center gangnam, 3 to 4 weeks ago.

Here is my story.

Saturday. I had mine done on a Saturday afternoon, whole things takes about two hours, including last minute checks, the operation and half an hour wait time afterwards. The operation it is is unpleasant. Half way through the first eye I was wondering what the hell I was doing and a bit scared. It doesn't hurt but staring at lasers and stuff freaked me out. However afterwards I noticed and immediate improvement. No real pain for the rest of the day other than a very occasional stabbing sharp pain. One thing that struck me as strange while the operation was just about to start is one of the nurses was gently patting my arm, but when it started it actually felt really comforting. The staff in there are wonderful. That night is not too bad, boring as hell as you can't read watch tv or look at a computer screen for more than a couple of minutes. However looking at my window I could read signs from the street below me.

Sunday. The next day was pretty bad, not painful, just dry, unfocused (felt like my vision was worse than just after the surgery). I was so bored, I listened to a couple of movies, called my folks, choosing the movie on the computer was difficult. If i looked at anything for more than 30 sec my eyes would hurt and start to close.

Monday. I went to work the next day and was pretty much useless, couldn't read the roll, couldn't read a computer screen, however my kids were amazing and they made it real easy on me (teacher can we have speech competition, teacher sit down we will run the class. Why can't they be like this all time time).

Tuesday. I could feel my vision improving by the hour, but the protective lens they had put in were starting to annoy me, like I had left in a contact for too long. I also lost my antibiotic drops, gave them a call and the couriered out some new ones to my school withing three hours, no charge.

Wednesday. Got the lens out, felt like my vision got worse but then started to improve again but slower than before.

Over the next week my vision was getting better all of the time.

3-4 weeks later, my vision is still improving albeit at a much slower rate. Most things are very clear, computer work and tv can be a little out of focus esp. when my eyes are tired.

If I have made things sound bad, sorry, That first Sunday I was what the hell was I thinking, risking stuffing up my eyes blah blah blah. Now I don't regret it at all. Also when I was first getting the test to see if I could get Lasek I was talking to a girl that had Lasek the day before and she said also was feeling was dry tired eyes, so some people feel the effects more than others.

Payment is made just before the surgery, I paid 1.8 million cash (those bank cheque things they give you. If you back out after the tests but before there is surgery or if you are not a candidate, then it is my understanding that there is no charge.

[Draz]

Yeah, LASEK has a longer recovery time than LASIK. Hang in there, BJ. Everything sounds normal so far, except the part about going to work the first week. Ack!

[freeridden]

Haha...nice. Amost exactly what I experienced. I also had my eyes done at Dream Eye.

I almost backed out at the last second. The week before surgery, I went to a bunch of message boards and read about horror stories about LASIK and LASEK. It freaked the hell out of me. Right before the surgery, I was really scared that I would have permanent damage such as dry eyes or double vision.

My myopia was high before the surgery, so I had concerns. They assured me that I shouldn't worry, so I trusted to their experience and reassuring words and went through with it.

Right after the surgery, I felt really strange. They make you lay down and rest for 30 minutes right after the surgery. I also had a nurse gently patting my shoulder all through the surgery, so that was really appreciated. j I was really frightened, and this helped me to calm down a bit.

Once I walked out the door, I could see things, but I couldn't see that clearly. That night for the next 4 hours was ok, but I was really tired. About 4 in the morning, I woke up to searing pain in my eyes...and tears were constantly coming down my cheeks from the pain. That morning, I had to go in for a checkup. It was quite difficult to open my eyes. The doctor told me that everything looked good.

Sunday (the 3rd day) was much better. The bandage contact lens actually didn't bother me too much. I just felt some pain and discomfort here and there, but it wasn't the constant pain I felt on Saturday. Note: From Friday night to Sunday night, I drank about 13 liters of water and ate nothing but fruit, vitamins, vegetables, and some peanut butter. I felt really dehydrated all the time, so I spent most of my time listening to audiobooks, drinking water, sleeping, and going to the bathroom to flush out the gallons of water I was consuming.

Monday work wasn't too bad. I taught classes with a hat on to protect my eyes. I rested most of the day in the afternoon. On Tuesdday, I had my bandage contacts taken out. At that point, my eyes felt a bit dry. The doctor had already informed me to increase my artificial tear usage because winter here is very dry.

It had been 17 days since my surgery. I sometimes stop in at a glasses store to use their automatic eye machine to check my vision. I have found that my vision will go from nearsightedness to farsightedness from day to day. Again, this is all normal according to my doctor. So I guess recovery is slow. I anticipate that I will have to be patient for the next two months before things start to become more stable. It's just a bit frustrating sometimes. One day, I can see far away, but I cannot stand to look at a computer screen close up for very long. The next day, I can see close up clearly, but then I cannot see far away. I guess patience is a virtue.

Still a bit of dry eye, but not much that it bothers me a lot. If I go into a busy department store, then the lights and dust being kicked around does get to me somewhat. If I use a computer a lot in one day (I try not to, but a few times it has been unavoidable), I find that I go home and sleep cause I'm so tired. Again, all normal. Eyes need at least 6 months to fully heal with LASEK.

(IKnock on wood to all of the above)

[The Lemon]

I have an appointment in January for LASIK, on my annual two-week visit to Korea. It's much cheaper in Korea than here in Dubai. Korea's quoting 1.2, though I assume for that low price they give you a laser and a mirror and tell you to do it yourself.

I've been reading the experiences that others have had, and the unpleasantness of the procedure as well as the following 48-72 hours are unnerving. But I want to live a contact lens-free life.

Someone who has done it kindly write something to convince me not to chicken out.