Korea Laser Eye Surgery Trip
Manffy
5 months ago
During May and June this year
Originally planned to do research on information about laser eye surgery in Korea before going to Korea in December
I unexpectedly found out that my friend is going to Korea for a study tour in September
When they heard that I was considering getting laser treatment, they suggested I just go to Korea for laser treatment in September.
At least he can accompany me (take care of me and act as my guide dog, lol), so the magic card bought the plane ticket first XD
That's right, this must be destiny, and it made me even more determined to go to Korea for the laser treatment ♥
Check again in July to see if laser treatment is possible afterwards
Started searching for reviews of Korean ophthalmology clinics on IG, PTT, FB, and other major forum platforms
Later, a friend sent me information about the collaboration between creatrip.tw and the ophthalmology clinic
Accidentally discovered that there is an in-person information session (in Taipei)
But because I am not in the north, I chose the online information session
At that time, I was thinking that this clinic is different from other ophthalmology clinics and is quite attentive; they even specially held an information session.
So on 8/8, I attended the online information session and learned that if you sign up within three days, you can also get exclusive offers like Blue Elephant sunglasses, post-surgery eye drops, and a relaxing eye mask ♥
Also completed the appointment registration on 8/10, and flew to Korea for the laser procedure in mid-September
9/15 Yes, that is this Monday, official laser treatment
Arrived at the site at 10:00. After verifying my name, the staff arranged for an interpreter to accompany me throughout. She was a friendly young lady (father is Chinese, mother is Korean).
I also had a brief chat with the translator and learned that he is a member of the Translators Association.
When Mingmu Eye Clinic receives foreign patients, they always have staff from the association come to assist, which really puts me at ease😍
The hospital's examination items are generally the same as in Taiwan
Myopia degree, astigmatism degree, pupil size, nighttime pupil size, dry eye...etc., are all thoroughly examined
However, before the examination started, they also asked whether to do a DNA test to confirm if you are suitable for laser surgery.
If you want, the wait time for the lab report results is about 2 hours.
But because of the itinerary arrangements, we didn't specifically schedule this examination.
However, since I had already been examined in Taiwan, and all subsequent examinations and doctor's evaluations still indicated that I could proceed with the laser treatment
So this DNA test is not necessarily required (for reference~
Nearsightedness -675/-625
Astigmatism -0.75/-1.25
Corneal thickness: 592 for both left and right eyes (The average for normal people is 500-550. I was even told I could have LASIK twice XD)
After confirming that corneal thickness is sufficient, tear secretion is normal, pupil size, etc. are all okay
The doctor was still very professional in pointing out that there was a black spot on the back of my eyeball (the retina part)
But because I was staying in Korea for a limited time and couldn't get a thorough checkup, they suggested I get checked again after returning to Taiwan (so thoughtful ❤️❤️)
However, the black spot is at the back of the eyeball. This time, the laser surgery for nearsightedness is on the front cornea, so it doesn't affect the laser.
After all examinations show no problems, confirm the procedure to be used (LASEK, LASIK, SMILE, SMILE PRO)
Actually, I originally planned to get a smile surgery
However, I later found that I couldn't stare at the same dot for a long time, so I switched to Smile pro
Because I heard that if the SMILE surgery fails, you can only switch to LASEK or LASIK surgery QQ
The SMILE surgery takes about 40 seconds, SMILE PRO about 8 seconds
The price of SMILE ranges from 45,000 to 62,000
The price of SMILE PRO ranges from 85,000 to 100,000
After confirming the plan, pay by credit card, then you'll be taken upstairs to change into surgical clothes and wait~
When coming down from the operating table after surgery
I found that my distance vision was a bit clearer than usual without glasses (maybe because my nearsightedness is too severe🤣
However, because my pupils were dilated during the examination, I couldn't see things up close very well.
After the laser procedure, I couldn't see clearly either near or far, so I obediently went home to rest (no shopping).
The preoperative checkup, surgery, and postoperative care instructions were all completed at around 1 PM (the whole process took about 3 hours)
When I left the clinic a little after 1 PM, the sun was shining brightly but there was no need for sunglasses at all (no photophobia at all, throwing confetti ♥♥
No napping is allowed on the day of surgery
So I ate instant noodles with blurry vision + packed my luggage
But later I was just too sleepy, so I closed my eyes for a bit at the dining table and on the bed 🤣
When I opened my eyes again, it was already 7 p.m. (Does this still count as taking a nap? XD)
At that time, my vision basically felt like it had recovered to about 80%.
(Clear vision, can see sign letters 10 meters away + went out to buy a late-night snack and the lights outside weren't blurry—so touching 🥹🥹🥹
However, on the first day right after the laser procedure, your eyes may feel dry easily, so you should use eye drops every two hours.
It is recommended not to wash your hair or face on the day of surgery (to prevent water from getting into your eyes; for your face, just use a wet wipe to clean it).
Scheduled a follow-up appointment for Tuesday afternoon
Also met the online briefing presenter in person today (felt excited like meeting an online friend 😆😆
She is Korean and also speaks Chinese ♥ I thought she was super friendly ever since the briefing session
Just found out that yesterday she went to Taipei and held another in-person information session, and just returned to Korea from Taiwan
On the day of the follow-up visit, she assisted with interpretation throughout, and the post-operative condition was personally checked by the director.
Leave happily after everything is normal
The previously mentioned freebies were also received (I got about 200 bottles of eye drops in total XD
And a pair of sunglasses (but I haven’t been sensitive to light at all after the surgery, so it seems I won’t need them for now lol
Returned to Taiwan on Wednesday, and also commuted to work by bike as usual on Thursday and Friday
These past two days I've been crazily sharing this with coworkers and friends lol
Friends and family around me also found it unbelievable after hearing about it, and I wasn't even sensitive to light. (Choosing Smile Pro was definitely the right decision.)
Even thinking about gathering a group to get laser surgery together (then it’ll be my turn to be the guide dog 🤣🤣🤣
