Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dreamscape]

I'm wondering if anyone here as had laser eye surgery done in Korea. I'm thinking about getting it done before I leave because, as far as I can tell, it's quite a bit cheaper than in Canada.

If you've had it done, I'd like to hear about your experience. Obviously I'd want a reputable, English speaking doctor etc.

Any info/feedback/informed opinions would be great!

[inspector gadget]

I am also considering doing it here but would put in a lot research before I make a decision. I just got here a while back so I have time however I am sure that you can find an english surgeon in Seoul.

I know an eye surgeon in California and she recomends that a person wait until there mid 30's because your eyes go through a lot of changes up until that period. Having said that she also indicated that for those under that age there is a decent successs rate although not as high.

[laogaiguk]

To put it bluntly, I had mine done in Canada at one of the more expensive places that had been around for awhile. I didn't care about the money. I was NOT going to mess with my eyes to save some cash. I just saved money from other places. My advice, unless you find a really, really good place here that has something on their sign a little better than "Since 2002", do it back home. (though back home there have been mess ups too, I know one guy who had to go back twice. Spend the money, if it means less beer, comic books, pizzas or whatever, it's still worth it).

[seattlespew]

*.*

[laogaiguk]

[Bulsajo]

I had PRK. It was fine. Seattlespew, are you an optometrist? No, I didn't think so. For some people PRK is an option whereas Lasik is not. And PRK could beconsidered to be the safer of the two. If Lasik f__ks up, you're on the waiting list for corneal transplants. Less chance of that with PRK.

[laogaiguk]

[Bulsajo]

Lasik is superior in that healing time is faster and it is less painful, yes. As I said, the risks can be higher, particularly for some people.

But anyway, I don't want to start a Lasik vs. PRK squabble- a good doctor will give a proper consultation and recommend a procedure based on an individual's eyes.

I agree with getting laser surgery, regardless of which procedure your doctor recommends for you- it is a miraculous thing!

[laogaiguk]

[seattlespew]

Bulsajo -

No, I am not an optometrist, but I am relating the information I have learned from my own doctor that did it and my own research. PRK is the only option available when the corneas are too thin to create a LASIK flap. But if the corneas are thick enough, LASIK is preferable.

I suggested to the fellow considering surgery to do his own research, and I repeat that advice. I surely did my own and didn't cut corners, because I wanted better vision but was more than paranoid about the risks.

In fact, I asked the doctor 'what is the worse thing that could happen?' He looked straight back without flinching and said 'you could die.' It was quite funny, actually. Doctors have to be that way to protect themselves these days.

I also got the custom LASIK. Now my vision is 20/15 in my right eye and 20/12 in my left eye (those are both better than 20/20) and couldn't be happier. But I know one person, my friends mother in fact, whose eye is screwed up forever from a PRK surgery, and she never got the second eye done because of it. With PRK they often do one eye at a time with a month or two recovery in between. LASIK, on the other hand, is always both eyes on the same day and about 2 days recovery time.

[fancypants]

[ed4444]

Do you have to continually add drops to your eyes after LASIK or is that just for certain people?

[peppermint]

I'm considering getting it done when I go home. The opthamologist/ surgeon has been training other docs since I was in middle school, so I'm sure he knows his stuff. Still, what are some questions I should be asking?

[4 months left]

A coworker was looking into it about a year ago, the price in Korea was about twice what it was in Canada - unless she gave me the wrong price. I would double check the prices in both countries.

[laogaiguk]