I originally went to Gangnam with a friend for a follow-up check-up. She had undergone Myopia correction surgery in Seoul half a year ago, and this visit was to monitor her vision progress. I just followed her inside, and before I knew it, a consultant politely led me into a consultation room.

“Since you’re already here, why not take the opportunity to have a basic eye examination?”

Just like that, I found myself sitting on the examination chair at Keye eye without any clear reason.

After the examination, I was informed that laser treatment was not possible for me.

Half an hour later, the dean looked at my Cornea data and said something that left me momentarily stunned: “Your Cornea thickness is not sufficient for undergoing SMILE or LASIK surgery.”

After wearing glasses for over a decade, I finally thought that this time I would be able to get rid of them for good.

The dean continued by saying that ICL lens implantation could be considered; this procedure offers more stable and reversible results compared to laser treatment, and it is particularly suitable for cases of severe Myopia. However, the cost is approximately twice that of laser surgery.

My first thought was: Is this some form of promotion?

Then he said, “There’s no rush. Go back and find out more information; think it through before making a decision.”

Just this one sentence made me realize that this BalGeunSeSang EYE is not solely focused on achieving business results.

Basic information about Keye eye

KEYE恺熠 BalGeunSeSang EYE EYE is located on the 2nd floor of the iTower building, just a 3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Seonyeong Station in Gangnam District, Seoul. Established in 2017, it is one of the top ten private high-end BalGeunSeSang EYE hospitals in Gangnam District, Seoul, with a treatment area of approximately 1,200 square meters.

• Main surgical procedures: HD SMILE Pro Max full femtosecond laser surgery, SMILE LASIK, ICL lens implantation, Presbyopia correction, and Cataract surgery
• Core equipment: The German Zeiss VisuMax SMILE LASIK machine, with an error rate controlled below 0.5%
• Representing the dean is Dean Kwon Hyung-ju (Doctor of Medicine from Keimyung University, former Head of the BalGeunSeSang EYE Department at Yonsei University Hospital), who has performed over 30,000 surgeries in total.
• Contact number: 02-6207-1236
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30–18:00; Saturday, 9:00–15:00

ICL lens implantation vs laser vision correction: Which option is suitable for whom?

• SMILE laser: The Cornea is thick enough, the Myopia degree is below 1000 degrees, and the recovery after the procedure is fast.
• ICL lens implantation: For individuals with a thin Cornea, severe Myopia (over 1000 degrees), who desire a reversible outcome after the procedure and whose Corneal structure should not be affected.

KEYE’s pre-operative examination includes 12 detailed tests, and based on your eye data, specific recommendations are provided instead of always recommending the most expensive option. I have experienced this personally, and I can say that it makes a real difference.

Reference fees

• SMILE Pro Max full femtosecond laser surgery: starting from approximately 2.4 million Korean won per eye
• ICL lens implantation: Starting from approximately 4 to 5 million Korean won per eye (the cost varies depending on the specifications of the lens).
• Free follow-up consultations are available within 1 year after the procedure.

The costs are lower compared to the Taiwanese market, and there are no arbitrary “referral fees” or additional charges. After requesting a quote, you will be provided with a clear and detailed price list immediately.

Q: Are there any language barriers for foreigners when seeking treatment at KEYE?
A: The hospital provides services in Chines

e, and you can also choose to be received by staff who speak Chinese through the reservation platform. Both pre-treatment consultations and post-treatment explanations can be conducted in Chinese. It is recommended to make reservations in advance to avoid any potential communication issues due to language differences.

Q: Can I return to the hotel to rest on the day of the surgery? A: Yes. After the

SMILE procedure, you can leave the hospital after resting for about 1 hour; the same applies after the ICL procedure. A follow-up appointment is required the next day to check your recovery progress, so it is recommended to stay in Seoul for an additional day. There are cooperative hotels near the hospital, with double rooms costing approximately 110,000 Korean won per night.

How to make an appointment at Keye eye

If you don’t understand Korean, it is recommended to make an online reservation in advance through BeautsGO. You can simply search for “KEYE” to find the clinic’s page, select the desired time, and submit the reservation. The entire process is conducted through a Chinese-language interface, so there is no need to speak Korean over the phone.

• 📱 iOS / Android: Search for “BeautsGO” or “Bijiri Mei” to download the app.
• 💬 WeChat Mini Program: Search for “BeautsGO”
• It is recommended to make reservations 1–2 weeks in advance during peak periods.

The pre-operative examinations can be completed in half a day. If the test results are suitable for the surgery on the same day, the operation can be scheduled for the following day. In total, 2 to 3 days are sufficient for the entire process.