Korean Job Discussion Forums

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

Anyone had it done?

Any problems? Cost?

If it's the same price as N.America, I'd rather get it done there... Maybe at least the dr there didn't "hack" the final exam Wink

I have been dying to get this done for a long time, and I'm about ready to do it, IF I can find a good place to go....

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

Personally I would wait until you get home....there are a lot of places now that do it for $1500 for both eyes, or even less. I had mine done around 8 years ago in Vancouver, CA for $2400, but I have no idea what that place would cost now, nor do I remember the name of it, but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made to get it done.

Do you really think that eye surgery is something that you want to find the best price for? It is an elective surgery not generally covered by insurance so standard North American price hikes don't apply, there is a lot of competition for your business so supply and demand drives the prices down to a reasonable level.

Anyhow...I live in the boonies in Korea and can't help you find a Lasik Center, but I was just talking about this with a buddy recently and I really think it would be best to wait until you go home for a visit. In general Korean doctors are OK, but overall they aren't the same caliber as what you see at home. Of course there are exceptions on both ends, but anyone who argues that Korean doctors are equally competent to North American/European/Australia/NZ doctors is nuts.

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

ds_fan · Joined: 07 Apr 2008

dont even think about getting it done here, anyone on the board had any positive negative experiences with it? Im saving for it while im here then will get it done as soon as i return

sistersarah · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Location: hiding out

I've talked to several people who've had it done here with no problems. I can't speak from experience though as I don't wear glasses. I guess it's like anything... just do your research and you'll be fine.

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

I am sure that you'd PROBABLY be fine....but if a doctor mashes up your toe or something you can cut holes in your shoes like my Grandpa Jerry does....if a doctor mashes up you're eyes then you're pretty much S-O-L. Get your dental work done here and save the cash on that, but I've been to too many doctors here where I had to literally argue with them about what was wrong with me.

SHANE02 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003

I had lasak done 5 weeks ago. A friend of the family organized it for me with a very reputable doctor. It's amazing how much my vision has improved, and the healing process is 85% done.

The doctor I see is great as is the service at the hospital. The eye testing technology in Korea is much better than anything I saw in NZ.
I was worried too, but I need not have been. The cost of mine was 1.5 mill, but some procedures are more expensive than others.

Temporary · Joined: 13 Jan 2008

I had PRK done here.. I just made sure the doc was Western trained.. I am very happy with the results. Well worth it.

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

Can you guys post the name of where you had it done, or website or some sort of contact info....1.5mil isn't too bad IF they are western trained!!

I really want this done...

cisco kid · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject:

I had mine done here, everything was totally professional and turned out great. My doctor spoke excellent English. He has a clinic in Myongdong and one in Kagnam. Both doctors are western trained.

The clinic in Myongdong is next to the Ralph Lauren store, elevator takes you up to the 4th floor.

Dream lasik or something like that, used to have the website, but can't remember what it is now.

They had a huge photo album full of foreigners who've had their eyes done there. I did the most expensive procedure called "Wavefront" - perfect vision for six months, no complaints. Less than 2 million won.

endo · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul...my home

I had mine done almost one year ago.

Easily one of the best purchases I've ever made. It really is a different world w/o glasses or contacts.

However, the surgury itself was f-ing intense! I never want to go through that again.

It was like a bad acid trip Shocked

orosee · Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul

Alternatively Thailand has made an industry out of medical tourism, the prices were good a few years back although the dollar fall may have changed that a bit. Several specialised clinics with doctors trained in the US, and a friend who went there came back satisfied.

A price comparison would be useful but flight cost should not be added, so make it a medical holiday.

orosee · Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Location: Hannam-dong, Seoul

Just want to add my own question for the eye experts. As I am now in my 40s I experience my one good eye - the left one is shortsighted and used for reading contracts, the right one used to be perfect - to become farsighted. The process is gradual and may not be complete, some days it is better, others are worse. I wonder if I had surgery now, would the effect be ruined in a year or so if my eye further degrades? I don't think you can repeat this surgery every few years.

Darkness · Joined: 12 Oct 2006

There are certain ages when your eyes change, from what I was previously told. 25 is one age, and 40 is the other, I believe!

Double check though....

declan · Joined: 25 Mar 2004

Hey there..Edited from a long time ago.. This subject keeps coming up..

I got my LASIK surgery done in Gangnam over two years ago maybe closer to 3 now...

After all this time my vision is still 20/20 and Ive had no problems. Go for it!!

I must say it was and still is an overwhelming success for me.. (Korean billboards appear a lot brighter now and I can see acrosse the street with ease) My eyesight before the surgery was around -1.6 in both eyes- short sighted.. and also I had astigmatism...

After the surgery my astigmatism was cured and my eyesight was and is still better than 20/20. I had little or no side effects.. For a few hours after the surgery my eyes were a little sore and teary.....but they were the only side effects I had.

The cost was 2,000,000 Won....Really great value I believe..

I get squemish with anything concerning eyes...(couldn't even get contacts on) but it was something I had been thinking about for some time.

I got some information on clinics in Korea.. and this is the one I chose..

By the way..many famous stars in Korea like..Boa and Kim Tae Hee..had their LASIK surgeries done here.. The list is on the website below.

The clinic gives you a free consultation....so you can find out how suitable your eyes are for the surgery and which type of surgery you should take exactly..You dont have to go ahead with the surgery after the consultation, but you probably will want to.

All follow up eye checks are free..... 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months...1 year etc...

In my last visit they said...if ever my eyes do deteriorate ( though its very unlikely)...they can fix them again....as I was curious to know.. but as I said above...my eyes have not deteriorated at all..

Eyesight better than -3 is very easy to correct they said..

The clinic where I got it done in can be found here....3 locations..... in Seoul www.hellolasik.co.kr There is an English website too..

The branch I got mine done was in Gangnam...outisde Exit 7...right there in the first building on the right...12th floor or something...
http://www.hellolasik.com/eng_site/

I recommend highly..About 5 friends I know had it done here too..and no problems reported..

What u waiting for?