Getting Lasek or Lasik Eye Surgery in Korea

The idea of having laser eye surgery in Korea (otherwise known as Lasik or Lasek eye surgery) had never crossed my mind. I had worn glasses for as long as I can remember, and was as dependent on them as a child is on their mother.

Contact lenses were my saving grace and I didnā€™t think a permanent fix was ever possible.

But here I am today, two years after I first wrote this post. I have perfect vision, I donā€™t wear contact lenses, and I threw my glasses away the moment I walked out of the operating theatre.

The reason? I had laser eye surgery in Korea!

If you had the chance to do something that would change your life, would you? Or would you let fear get in the way?

In this post, I’ll take you through every step of my laser eye surgery journey, from deciding between Lasek or Lasik, the costs involved, where to go and what to expect from your initial consultation. I’ve also detailed the actual procedure and why my recovery was so painful. It’s a long post – but it’s the only one you need if you’re planning on having laser eye surgery in Seoul, Korea.

Getting laser eye surgery in South Korea
Dr Lee doing some final tests

Disclaimer: This post details my personal experience with lasek in Korea. Iā€™m by no means a doctor and whilst my eye surgery was a success, there are risks involved. Be sure to consult a qualified physician before going ahead with any surgery.

What is Lasik or Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to reshape the surface of the eye. Itā€™s a quick 15-minute operation but youā€™re awake during the whole thing!

Iā€™d heard of laser eye surgery previously, but I never considered actually doing it. I had my reservations about people messing with my eyes, especially if I was awake throughout the procedure.

What if I blink? Will I pass out? Is there a chance that the numbing eye drops wonā€™t work and I could feel everything?

The thought of having lasik in Korea gave me chills and it wasnā€™t something I would ever put myself through. Or so I thoughtā€¦

Why I had Laser Eye Surgery in South Korea

Whilst complaining about my contact lenses and the pain of never being able to find my glasses in my near-blind state, I decided to read up on laser eye surgery in Korea since it was so common in the country.

A bit of research wasnā€™t going to hurt anyone, right? I was adamant that I would never go ahead with the operation.

However, my perception of laser eye surgery quickly changed as I began to read how the procedure was virtually full-proof, with no pain during the 15-minute operation.

Why Lasik in Korea

Iā€™m an adventure gal! Iā€™ve climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, been scuba diving in Indonesia, and I enjoy spending my winters skiing in Korea.

The one thing that affected every one of these experiences was having to wear glasses and contact lenses.

Iā€™d had enough!

The tipping point for my decision to have Lasek in Korea was the quality of doctors and advanced technology.

Little did I know that Seoul is the plastic surgery capital of the world with medical tourism being a thriving industry in Korea.

Laser eye surgery is a common procedure here and the doctors perform both Lasik and Lasek eye surgery daily.

According to Dream Eye Centre in Seoul, their surgeons have performed the surgery over 30 000 times compared to specialists in the United States who have about 500 cases each.

As a result, their experience is unmatched. This immediately put my nerves at ease. Rated as the best in the world, I couldnā€™t miss this opportunity to have the life-changing surgery.

With little time to process what I was committing to, I had already decided that I would have Lasik in Korea.

where to have lasik in korea
Gangnam in Seoul

LASEK vs LASIK vs PRK: What’s The Difference

There are several types of refractive eye surgeries available and itā€™s best to educate yourself to ensure you know what youā€™re getting yourself into.

When having any form of medical procedure, most of us donā€™t fully understand the medical jargon getting thrown around.

The specialist will show scans and talk you through the data and results. If youā€™re like me, youā€™ll just nod and agree with what the experts are saying.

Trusting your doctor is very important but you should also have a clear understanding of the procedures available when deciding which one to go for.

Lasek (otherwise known as ā€œEKā€) and Lasik (ā€œIKā€) are the most popular corrective eye surgeries in Korea, and the world.

LASIK Eye Surgery: ā€œIKā€

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis.

This involves creating a flap by cutting a thin layer of tissue off your cornea and folding it back.

The cornea is then reshaped using a laser and thereafter, the flap is returned to its original place.

One of the biggest pros of Lasik eye surgery is the recovery time. Your eyes heal a lot quicker and the entire recovery process is less painful than Lasek.

The day after your Lasik procedure, youā€™ll need to return to the clinic for a check-up and you should be able to see clearly within one or two days.

If you have a thin cornea, you cannot have Lasik eye surgery and it’s also not recommended for active people.

Iā€™ve also heard that with Lasik, thereā€™s a greater chance of visual regression. These were the 3 reasons why I chose to have Lasek in Korea instead of Lasik.

LASEK Eye Surgery: ā€œEKā€

Lasek stands for Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis.

A thin surface layer of the cornea is loosened using an alcohol solution rather than a surgical blade.

It is then moved to the side and the cornea is reshaped with a laser. This epithelial layer is then moved back and left to heal.

Lasek differs from Lasik as no flap is created.

Lasek is the safer option of the two and is recommended for people who have thin corneas and dry eyes.

If you take part in physical or high impact sports you are also advised to have Lasek eye surgery.

On the downside, recovery for Lasek is far worse than Lasik as you have to allow time for your upper epithelium layer to recover.

This can take up to 7 days, with the first 3 being extremely painful.

Having now had Lasek in Seoul, my personal experience was far more intense than I thought it would be – but I’ll get to all of that further in the post. Sensitivity to light is also expected and it can take a few months before full visual recovery.

PRK

PRK Stands for photorefractive keratectomy.

Itā€™s very similar to Lasek as no flap is created. It differs from Lasek in that the epithelial layer is completely removed and has to grow back to the previous position.

PRK is not as popular and has been replaced with Lasek.

eye surgery in korea
My checkup at EyeMedi 2 months after the surgery

Costs for Lasek or Lasik in South Korea

The costs for laser eye surgery in Korea vary and depend on the condition of your eyes and the clinics you go to.

Eye clinics in Seoul that have English-speaking surgeons tend to be a bit more expensive than those in rural areas.

Expect to pay between 1.4 and 2.2 million KRW ($1 200-$1 900) for both Lasek and Lasik surgery in Korea. This includes your initial consultation, the operation as well as all check-ups.

Both of my eyes were -4.15 and I had quite a bad astigmatism in my right eye. I paid 1.7 million KRW (October 2017) for Lasek at Eyemedi Lasik Center in Seoul.

This was the cost after a 20% foreigner discount. However, all medication is additional and costs roughly 100 000 KRW ($85) for the first two months of eye drops and painkillers.

Some eye doctors in Korea will cover your accommodation costs if you donā€™t live in Seoul, whilst others offer referral incentives, so be sure to ask.

However, EyeMedi offer neither which wasnā€™t an issue for me. These are my precious eyes and so I wasnā€™t about trying to get a bargain.

Where to Have Lasek or Lasik in South Korea

My biggest concern about having Lasek in Korea was finding an eye clinic with highly qualified specialists who could speak English.

I also wanted to make sure that they had the most advanced technology and eye testing equipment. I was leaving nothing to chance.

In my search to find the best clinic to have laser eye surgery, I must have read every single blog once, if not twice, on the topic.

The ā€œExpat women in Koreaā€ Facebook group is also fantastic and has many comments and referrals for the operation.

Weā€™re spoilt for choice in Korea, with hundreds of eye clinics specializing in Lasik for foreigners.

From my research, EyeMedi Lasik Center, Glory Eye Seoul, Dream Eye Centre Gangnam, and BGN are the most popular clinics and all come with outstanding reviews.

I decided to keep my options open and explore various eye clinics before booking the surgery. If I was comfortable with the doctors and felt confident that I was in good hands, Iā€™d go ahead with the operation.

Scared as hell, but confident in the research Iā€™d done, I booked my first consultation at EyeMedi Lasik Center in Gangnam, Seoul. They seemed to be a smaller clinic, which provided that extra personal touch.

medical tourism in Seoul, Korea
EyeMedi Lasik Center in Seoul

Consultation for Lasik Surgery in Korea

This initial consultation takes about 1.5 hours, possibly longer. Contact lenses must not be worn for 7 days prior to this consultation as they change the shape of your cornea.

This consultation at EyeMedi costs 30 000 KRW ($25) but is included in the cost of having the operation.

The importance of these eye tests

During the consultation, my eyes were put through numerous tests to see if I was a good candidate for either Lasik or Lasek eye surgery.

The consultation is an extremely important step of the process as the specialist will highlight problem areas and possible risks that could arise.

Listen to their advice and if you’re not 100% confident in the feedback you receive (or if they rush the tests), go for a second opinion.

What does the initial lasek consultation involve

On the day of my consultation, I was greeted by Mr. Choo from EyeMedi who took me through a comprehensive eye exam that lasted 1.5 hours.

Throughout this process, he explained every step and the purpose of each test.

These tests were not like any eye tests Iā€™d done before. They were far more detailed and involved many different testing devices.

Mr Choo patiently answered all of my questions and I felt confident in his expertise.

lasik vs lasek
Mr Choo taking me through all the eye tests

Passing out

During the eye exam, I got to a point where I felt light-headed as if I was going to faint.

This was not because of the actual exam, but I struggle with people touching my eyes and have a mild case of claustrophobia ā€“ Iā€™m actually just a scaredy-cat as Mr. Choo appropriately put it!

Perhaps it was just nerves and adrenaline from all the excitement. Mr. Choo kindly sat me down until I was feeling strong again and then continued with the tests.

At this point, he highlighted that he would need to draw blood before the surgery. The blood platelets are used in recovery eye drops called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma).

This formula speeds up the recovery process and helps with healing.

Suddenly I became more nervous about having my blood taken than going ahead with actual surgery. However, Mr. Choo agreed to use artificial blood platelets and so I could skip this stepā€¦ phew!!

Pupils

Lastly, I was given eye drops which dilated my pupils in order for the specialist to thoroughly examine the interior of my eye.

This leads to everything being extremely bright, so trying to find my way back home from the train and bus station was a bit challenging, but doable.

Make sure you have a good pair of sunglasses on you and donā€™t plan any activities for the rest of the day.

Getting the go-ahead for Lasek eye surgery in Korea

Finally, I met with Dr. Lee, the ophthalmologist who would perform the operation.

I felt extremely comfortable and confident in his capabilities as he was very kind, knowledgeable, and spoke great English so I could discuss the entire procedure with him.

He had all the results from the eye tests I’d just done. Both my eyes were -4.15, with astigmatism in my right eye.

He explained that I was a perfect candidate for Lasek, and recommended that I have Lasek instead of Lasik for the reasons I mentioned above.

Walking into Eyemedi, I did not think Iā€™d have the courage to get the operation. But I was so impressed with them overall, that I left having booked the surgery for later that month!

No matter where you decided to have lasik in Korea, make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor.

lasek at eyemedi lasik center in gangnam, seoul
After my successful Lasek surgery with Dr Lee

Getting Lasek Eye Surgery in Korea: The Operation

The day had finally arrived! I had to wear my glasses for 7 days prior to the surgery as contact lenses change the shape of your cornea.

On the day of my lasik eye surgery my heart was racing and I was a nervous wreck. I felt as if I was going to have an emotional breakdown in the middle of Seoul Express Bus Terminal!

Arriving at EyeMedi

I arrived at EyeMedi Gangnam and met Mr. Choo who took me through a few more eye tests to ensure that there were no changes from the initial consultation.

Whilst waiting and getting all my admin sorted, I was given countless amounts of eye drops by the EyeMedi staff.

I also had to sign a consent form to say that the clinic cannot be held liable for any negative side effects or results from the surgery.

At this point, they would usually take you into a room and draw your blood. The blood platelets are used for a recovery serum called PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma).

This formula speeds up the recovery process and helps with healing.

However, during my initial consultation, I explained that I would most likely pass out if my blood was drawn!

Mr. Choo agreed to use artificial blood platelets and so I could skip this step (but perhaps thatā€™s why my recovery process was so painful – keep reading!)

I was then given the prescription for my medication and guided to the pharmacy downstairs.

Preparing for the surgery

After returning, I was taken to the surgical department.

Here, I donned a surgical gown and sat anxiously as the medical staff cleaned my eyes.

After 20 minutes I was escorted to the operating theater, and lay on the operation bed, anxiously waiting for Dr. Lee to arrive.

I could hear his voice from a mile away and that familiar sound put my racing heart at ease.

Again, I emphasized how scared and nervous I was, and he smiled and reassured me that I would be fine.

lasik in korea costs
Moments before I went in for my surgery

During my lasek eye operation

Days leading up to my surgery I had done so much research, perhaps too much, that I knew exactly what was happening and what would happen next.

First, a speculum was inserted around my eye to keep it open. Even if you try to blink, you canā€™t (phew).

The doctor started with my right eye and applied numbing anesthetic eye drops to it. I was eagerly awaiting these, hoping and praying that they were strong and effective.

He fiddled around in my eye for a few minutes and I could feel a cooling sensation but I didnā€™t quite know what he was doing

Ready for the laser

Finally, he told me to look straight into the laser ā€“ but the laser was red and blurry, not green like I had researched it should be.

I panicked, but Dr. Lee told me to stay calm and that it was going to go green for about 20 seconds, which it did.

I nervously waited for that ā€œburning hair smellā€ as Iā€™d read is to be expected when the laser is reshaping your cornea. To my relief, I didnā€™t notice or smell this at all.

Lastly, he inserted a protective contact lens in my eye that needs to be removed 5-7 days after the surgery.

The right eye was done, one more to go.

15 minutes after I entered the operating theater, the procedure was complete. I was relieved!

No, it wasnā€™t painful. However, I could see what they were doing, I knew what was coming next and I could hear the instruments.

I was anxious throughout the procedure, holding tightly to the bed and was relieved when it was finally over.

After the surgery

Immediately after the surgery, I was good to go and left with a spring in my step knowing I would soon have great eyes.

After I left EyeMedi, I could see clearly and had none of the side effects that I had read about.

I had to take a 2-hour bus trip home to Cheonan and this is when the anesthetic started wearing off and the happiness I felt after leaving EyeMedi seemed like a distant memory.

Recovery for lasek in Korea
Itā€™s over – feeling strong after having lasek in Korea!

Lasek/Lasik in Korea Recovery Time

The recovery time for Lasik is 2 days, whilst for Lasek, itā€™s 7.

As is expected with any form of surgery, there is pain during the healing process.

If you choose to have Lasik in Korea (instead of Lasek), you wonā€™t have to go through nearly as much pain as those who opted for Lasek.

This recovery process can range from slight discomfort to severe torture. I guess I was one of the unlucky ones who experienced the worst of the worst!

However, itā€™s a small price to pay for the perfect eyes I have today.

How bad could it be

Just a side note, after youā€™ve read my Lasek recovery process below, you may be put off from having the surgery. But I assure you, itā€™s the best thing Iā€™ve even done!

Itā€™s been a few years since my Lasek operation and my eyes are perfect.

Most people Iā€™ve spoken to say that their Lasek recovery wasnā€™t nearly as bad as mine. This is the worst it could be, and if I can get through it, so can you!

Medication for Lasek

I was given the below medication and eye drops that had to be taken religiously.

  • Antibiotic eye drops: 4 times a day
  • Anti-inflammatory eye drops: 4 times a day
  • Emergency eye drops: Use for severe pain
  • PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma): 4 times a day
  • Artificial tears: Every 30 min
  • Eye ointment: to be used after the protective lens is removed
  • Painkillers: 4 different kinds of painkillers to be taken 3 times a day

Lasek recovery: The aftermath

Day 1 recovery

During the first night after having Lasek eye surgery in Korea, I experienced no pain but my eyes were sensitive to light.

I couldnā€™t use my phone or computer and so I took the painkillers and went straight to bed.

READ MORE: ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR MOVING TO SOUTH KOREA

Day 2 recovery

The next morning I could barely open my eyes because the natural light in my room was too bright.

Yes, Iā€™d read that your eyes become sensitive to light, but I did not realize that it would be to this extreme.

I immediately cried for sunglasses and lay helplessly under my blankets listening to audiobooks for the next few hours.

In the meantime, my boyfriend tried to find boxes, towels and cardboard paper to cover the frosted windows. I made sure he covered every single gap with not one, but two layers!

Yes, it was that bad.

I had slight scratchiness in my right eye but this is to be expected.

When I was able to open my eyes, I could see clearly and this kept me positive.

Towards the end of day 2, I started experiencing severe pain in both eyes.

It felt as if someone was stabbing them with sharp knives that had been drenched in onion juice. And no, thatā€™s not an over-exaggeration!

Thinking this was as bad as it could get, I used the emergency eye drops. The pain subsided for about 30 minutes but then it started all over again.

I took my medication and tried to sleep, but it was an extremely uncomfortable night.

I woke up screaming with pain continuously and somehow managed to get a few hours rest.

lasik in Korea costs
The morning of my surgery

Day 3 Recovery

Day 3 was by far the worst of my Lasek recovery. I cannot explain the pain I felt in my eyes, but it was excruciating.

To top it off, my emergency eye drops had run out. I took a few extra-strong painkillers and sleeping pills that I happened to have lying around the house.

Again, I spent most of the day hiding under the blankets looking super stylish in my sunglasses and hat.

For those first 3 days, I was completely helpless. My apartment was pitch dark and I couldnā€™t cook or even make myself tea as I was in so much pain.

No TV, no phone, no light! I wasnā€™t even allowed to shower or wash my face for 2 days after surgery.

I just lay in bed wishing the pain away and feeling very sorry for myself.

Day 4 and 5 Recovery

At this stage of recovery, most people start feeling better and brave the outdoors.

I, however, was still feeling rather fragile and sore. The pain had subsided slightly but my eyes were still extremely sensitive to light.

I continued to wallow in my bed and listen to my audiobook.

My sight was good and I was looking forward to testing out my new eyes.

Day 6 and 7 Recovery

After 6 days, the pain had finally come to an end and I was finally able to leave my apartment.

I decided to take a stroll to the grocery store and went out for lunch the next day. I could see!

I continued to wear sunglasses and a big hat indoors as everything was still very bright.

Day 8, 9 and 10 Recovery

I returned to EyeMedi Gangnam where a few tests were done on my eyes and the protective lenses were removed.

Dr. Lee was happy with my progress but he warned me that after removal of the protective lenses I may feel pain for the next day or two.

There is also a slight chance (1 in 20) that the epithelial layer may detach and so I was warned to be extra careful with my eyes.

To my relief, I experienced no pain during these 3 days.

I tried watching TV but dimmed the brightness on my screen and still wore sunglasses.

My sight was clear and fluctuated occasionally which is to be expected for the first month or two.

Day 11 Recovery: Return to work

I was teaching English in Korea and had chosen to have Lasek surgery during Chuseok so that I had more time to recover.

The first week back at work was manageable.

After 9 hours in a room which has the brightest of white lights, I was pretty impressed that I had survived the day. I wouldnā€™t have been able to cope if I went back any sooner!

I could see clearly and it was so weird going to bed and not having to take out my contact lenses.

lasik in South Korea over South Africa
With Dr Lee before my surgery

Happily Ever After: Why Iā€™m so Happy I had Lasek Eye Surgery in Korea

It’s been 6 months since my surgery (now 2 years) and I have been for numerous checkups at EyeMedi since I had Lasek.

I now have 20/13 vision! Yes, that is possible and itā€™s better than perfect.

My eyes were slightly dry for the first few months, which is to be expected. I experienced no other side effects (some people have blurry vision) and it was so worth the pain and torture I went through to get to this point.

Donā€™t let the Lasek recovery time scare you from making the best decision of your life. Not having to wear contact lenses and glasses has been a dream come true!

Tips for getting Lasek or Lasik Eye Surgery in South Korea

  • Cover all windows in your apartment before you go in for the surgery. Your room should be completely blacked out!
  • Download audiobooks and podcasts.
  • If youā€™re living alone, pre-cook meals so that you can just heat them up. Trust me, youā€™re not going to want to cook!
  • Try to get someone to check up on you for the first 3 days and help with preparing food and making you tea.
  • Make sure you take enough time off from work. I had 9 days, others say 7 is enough. For Lasik you only need 2 or 3 days recovery, but with Lasek you need a lot more.
  • For Lasek, you will need to return to your ophthalmologist 6-8 days after the surgery so that they can remove the protective lens and do further tests to see how your eyes are doing.
  • For Lasik, you need to go for a check-up the day after your surgery.
  • For both Lasik and Lasek, you should go for another check-up about a month or two after your surgery.
  • If youā€™re traveling to Korea for laser eye surgery, you can also have the surgery the same day as you have the initial consultation.
laser eye surgerg in Seoul, Korea
Dr Lee explaining why i should have Lasek eye surgery

Where To Have Lasek or Lasik in Korea?

There is plenty of information on the web regarding Lasik or Lasek clinics in Korea that cater to foreigners.

However, the moment I met Mr. Choo and Dr. Lee from EyeMedi Gangnam in Seoul, I knew that this was the right place to have the procedure.

I feel that they went above and beyond to ensure that I had a successful experience. But most of all, the results speak for themselves and I believe this is due to their attention to detail and superior expertise.

How to get to EyeMedi Gangnam in Seoul

EyeMedi is located in Gangnam, Seoul. Go out of exit 11 at Gangnam Station and turn to your right.

The building is on the corner, above Hollys Coffee. EyeMedi have recently moved to the 3rd floor.

You can contact Mr. Choo on their Facebook page and he will give you all the information you need.

READ MORE: 40+ THINGS YOU NEED TO PACK FOR KOREA

Would I Recommend Getting Lasek Eye Surgery in Korea? YES!

This entire journey has been surreal.

Yes, I was fortunate enough to be able to afford the surgery, but just having glasses is a privilege on its own.

There are millions of people in the world in less developed countries who have worse eyes than I do, yet they do not have access to good eye care.

Never take anything for granted ā€“ good eyesight, just like good health, is a blessing and something to be grateful for every day.

best eye clinic in seoul, korea
2 months after the surgery and I have perfect vision

Are you thinking of having Lasek in Korea? Got any questions or concerns? Drop me a message in the comments section below!

Looking for more Korea travel information? Check out my other posts!


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About Carryn

Hi, I'm Carryn.Ā Iā€™m an adventure travel blogger trying to figure out my way through life by traveling and exploring. Join me as I share my travel guides and tips for life abroad. Find out more about me here.

17 thoughts on “Getting Lasek or Lasik Eye Surgery in Korea”

  1. Wow thanks for this super detailed review! Gonna send it on to my sister who is looking to do this, we were also scared of the actual procedure and had heard about the “burning hair smell” and that sounded terrifying quite frankly but the pain afterwards sounds worse… not sure she’ll want to do it after reading this though lol.

    Reply
    • Tell her she HAS to do it! Yes, the recovery was painful, but many people I’ve spoken to had a better experience – perhaps I have a super low pain threshold! Having Lasek has changed my life. If your sister has the opportunity to do it, she really should! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Omg I’m sorry u experienced so much pain. šŸ˜¢ My recovery was pretty painless! Korea is def the place to get LASEK or LASIK though. So many people wear glasses and the doctors have so much experience! My eyes were -10 and in Canada, no one would even try… I didn’t get 20/20 but I can function without glasses now and I’m so glad I did it!

    Reply
  3. Excellent and detailed review. I like that you did not reduce your reporting of the side effects, particularly in the first 3 days after the treatment. I had Lasik done almost 20 years ago, and unfortunately, I did it at the tender age of 18 (and should have waited until my fluctuating eyesight settled down), and since then, wear glasses again. I imagine that so much has changed with almost two decades of advancing technology. I certainly don’t remember the side effects that you mention. I am worried about the detaching epithelial layer (I think that’s the term), and definitely have remained sensitive particularly to sun light. I hope all works out well for you, and I really wish I had waited before getting my operation done!

    Reply
    • Wow, I would have been super scared to have it done 20 years ago. The only reason I convinced myself to do it now is because of the advanced technology, especially in Korea… you can’t get better. Hopefully my eyesight doesn’t deteriorate as I’ve heard that it is common. However, even a few years with this great eyesight would have made the operation so worth it. Thanks for sharing your experience!

      Reply
  4. Yes! I got warned about the burning hair smell too! Whenever I made the mistake of wearing contacts around my Korean friends I got the inevitable “You look pretty without glasses– you should get LASEK” comments. (I guess I look ugly with glasses? lol). I thought about it but never had the nerve or the cash (I would always spend it on plane tickets). It’s cool to hear your experience. I’m glad it was a positive one.

    Reply
  5. Thanks for the detailed account! I totally understand you as I used to wear glasses and contacts. I hated wearing both to be honest and getting lasik eye surgery was a no-brainer! I got mine done in Korea as well but a long time ago (like 2010). I had a really great experience with them and was happy with my results! I don’t remember the pain being as bad as yours but I may have just erased it from my memory! haha. It’s great that your sharing your experience for other people to learn from and decide whether or not to have it done.

    Reply
  6. I’ll be honest that I only got three half of this post because as soon as you started talking about the laser.. seeing it, which is obvious, but omg, my spine is tingling right now. I just can’t think about it. I’m glad you were so calm and collected and had done your research. Luckily, I don’t wear glasses, but if I did, I’m not sure I could do this. BUT Doing it in Korea is a great idea so I’ve heard. Cheaper and great technology on the surgery. Congrats!

    Reply
  7. Oh wow, I feel like I’ve been there with you somehow (you’re a great storyteller). Kudos to you for going through such a popular yet very frightening procedure. I don’t think I could do it, honestly. I hate pain and when it comes to something as sensitive and as prominent as your eyes – hellz to the no! I’m happy for you that it went soo well.

    Reply
  8. I’m tired of wearing my eyeglasses and I my eyes get a lot of pain wearing contact lens… Gone were the days I can wear sunglasses! But I’m honestly scared of doing lasek because i have very low tolerance for pain. and reading about your experience is making me a little bit more scared:-(.

    Reply
  9. Thank you so much for your very informative post. Because of this post, I decided to do LASEK at EyeMedi. I scheduled to do it early next month. However, millions of people chose LASIK over LASEK. I also want to make sure that it is safe in the future that is why I chose LASEK. Now, I suddenly have a second thought because as I read some articles they said LASEK is similar to PRK and its long-term complications haven’t been studied yet since it is a new procedure.

    Moreover, I cannot wear lens because I am so sensitive to my eyes. Now that I think of the recovery pain, I really don’t know if I can handle it. I am trying to get myself ready for the worst but now that the surgery is getting close, I am so scared. I am living alone and I cannot even use the eye drops properly. Would you mind telling me some techniques to use the eye drops by yourself? Especially, when it really hurts. How could you manage to open your eyes and put it?

    And how are your eyes now? Is it still perfect? Have you ever worried about the long-term effect?

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment! I know exactly how you feel and had the same reservations before I had the surgery. I chose LASEK as it is the newer and more advanced option. It’s similar to PRK in that there’s less risk of issues as no flap is created, but LASEK is an advancement on PRK and they are not the same. I do believe that the doctors in Korea are some of the best in the world and if they advise it, I needed to trust them. I also chose LASEK over LASIK as I am extremely active and I had heard that with the flap created in LASIK, there could be issues if you have a hard knock on your eyes. However, I do know people who also had a successful LASIK operation. In the end, you need to just do your research and be open with your doctors if you have any concerns.

      My recovery was painful, yes, but I’ve heard so many stories of people having no pain! And it’s only 5 or so days and then you’ll have great eyesight. Just make sure you take the necessary measures as I had – pre-cook a few meals that you can just heat up quickly, black out your room, have audio books available and take at least 5 days off work.

      My eyes only hurt when there was light in the room. When I put my eyedrops in, I made sure all the lights were off. The eyedrops don’t hurt your eyes at all. They soothe the pain and help with the recovery. I messed all of my face the first few times! As long as you get it in your eyes, it’s fine.

      My eyes are now perfect! It’s been 8 months and I’m so so happy with the results. I was petrified before I had the op and now I look back and I’m so thankful I didn’t pull out! For the first few months, I had some dryness but this is normal and was nothing that a few eyedrops couldn’t fix. Long-term effects – to be honest, I don’t think there are any. The worst could be that my eyes deteriorate and I end up wearing glasses in 20 years or so (but in that case I’d have the surgery again)

      I believe that if the doctors recommended the surgery for you, then you are a good candidate and there is little risk. If you’re having second thoughts perhaps go to another doctor and have the tests done again. If another doctor also advises LASEK, it may make you feel more comfortable.

      Good luck and please let me know how your operation goes!

      Reply
  10. Hi,
    I’m thinking about getting LASEK in Korea and I was wondering if you went by yourself when you had the surgery? I’m slightly worried about how I would be able to get home etc and if I would be able to see enough to key in my door passwords etc on my own.

    Reply
    • Hi Gina, I had the same concerns! I went by myself for the initial consultation and my boyfriend went with me for the operation (I lived in Cheonan, over an hour from Seoul). But, I would have preferred to have someone with me for the consultation as the eye drops they give you to dilate your pupils makes everything so bright so spending 90 minutes getting home to Cheonan was a struggle, but manageable – It was fine with sunglasses though so it’s not really necessary!

      For the Lasek operation, I was completely fine after and could see properly. I was so happy that I didn’t experience the same “brightness” as I had with the consultation. I was able to easily navigate around Seoul and the train stations, even though I had my boyfriend with me. If you go straight home after your operation (if you live in Seoul), you should be fine and you’ll be able to access your apartment. Just make sure you have everything ready for later during the day when you won’t want to open your eyes – black out your windows, have snacks, and some good audiobooks. Good luck with your op šŸ™‚ Every day I’m so grateful that I had it done and it really is a life-changer!

      Reply
  11. Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your story! I was wondering if for the surgery costs you had to pay all of it at once or instead could do monthly installment payments?

    Reply

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