My Experience with SMILE Vision Correction Surgery at Myopia
林和正
10 months ago
I had considered getting laser eye surgery during my student years, but with work and life getting busier, I gradually forgot about it. Recently, however, I kept seeing ads online, and the desire was reignited. However, the consultation fees in Taiwan felt a bit expensive. Then, I came across recommendations for Myopia Eye Clinic in Korea on Instagram. Fortunately, I found out about a Creatrip seminar held at the W Hotel, so I decided to attend. The clinic’s representative, along with a Chinese-speaking translator, thoroughly explained the surgery process and its risks. Since I have presbyopia, the doctor suggested leaving 100 degrees of nearsightedness in my non-dominant eye, so that it wouldn't affect my near vision. This gave me a lot of peace of mind. I decided to schedule the surgery for February, coinciding with my child's winter break and my birthday. Even better, I received some amazing offers, including a subsidy of 4,500 NTD for the flight and 3,500 NTD for post-surgery medication. It was such a great deal!
The reason I chose Myopia Eye Clinic in Korea is due to their impressive experience. As of 2024, they have completed over 110,000 SMILE surgeries and are one of only four clinics worldwide certified by Zeiss. The clinic has also earned the "Zeiss 110,000 Cases Achieved" award and maintains a "no-incident" track record, which made me feel very reassured.
The clinic is located near Exit 8 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul, in the Kyobo Tower, on the 15th and 17th floors. The location is very convenient, and the building’s floor markings are clear, so it’s easy to find. Additionally, the clinic offers a Chinese-speaking Line service, which allowed me to clarify all details before departure.
My overall experience at Myopia Eye Clinic was excellent. The clinic has advanced facilities and complete inspection equipment, which made me trust the process. I had an appointment at 10 a.m. and was accompanied by a young Taiwanese translator. After a series of checks, which took about an hour, I had a consultation with the doctor to confirm my eligibility for surgery. Since I needed to leave 100 degrees of nearsightedness in my left eye, they double-checked if that would cause any discomfort, which led to me missing the morning surgery slot. I went for lunch nearby, and then returned to the clinic at 1 p.m., where I confirmed everything was in order. I chose the SMILE surgery with corneal strengthening, which cost 3 million KRW, equivalent to about 68,000 NTD. In comparison, in Taiwan, the SMILE surgery alone costs 115,000 NTD, so I saved a lot and also received the added benefit of corneal strengthening.
Throughout the process, the clinic’s efficiency was top-notch, with almost no waiting time. The surgery itself was so quick that I barely noticed what happened. The Taiwanese translator stayed with me throughout, explaining every step, which really put me at ease. After the surgery, I experienced a strong misty feeling, and once the anesthesia wore off, it was a bit difficult to open my eyes and I was sensitive to light. However, we still managed to enjoy a meal at the Michelin-recommended Jin Zhu restaurant, and walking around wasn't a problem at all.
Two days later, I returned for a follow-up visit. The optometrist checked my vision again, and since I had left 100 degrees in my left eye for presbyopia, I had to check both eyes together. The result was incredible—my vision returned to 1.0. The doctor confirmed that the surgery was a success, and I just needed to follow the prescribed medication and use artificial tears. If there were any issues, I could return to a local eye doctor in Taiwan, and Myopia Eye Clinic would provide a diagnostic certificate to help the Taiwanese doctor understand the surgery. I could also contact them anytime via their Chinese Line for any questions.
Since the surgery coincided with my birthday, the Taiwanese translator kindly helped me arrange a small gift from the clinic. That was such a thoughtful gesture! Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this experience. The feeling of saying goodbye to glasses is truly amazing!
After half a month post-surgery, my eyes still need artificial tears, especially when I’ve stayed up late or haven’t drunk enough water, as my eyes become particularly dry. However, apart from that, everything is great, and my vision has recovered wonderfully. I’m very pleased with the results, and I feel that the surgery was absolutely worth it! I would not hesitate to recommend this clinic to my family and friends. I trust their skills and services completely. If anyone is considering vision correction surgery, this clinic is definitely worth choosing!
