Short trip for myopia laser surgery in Seoul, South Korea
政偉 黃
4 days ago
Spending Christmas in Seoul has always sounded romantic, but this year my holiday trip came with a twist: I flew to Gangnam not just for the lights and shopping, but to finally get laser eye surgery. While friends were booking ski trips or Christmas dinners, I was booking consultations and surgery dates. It might sound unusual, but combining a vision correction procedure with a short Christmas getaway turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Why I Chose Gangnam at Christmas
Gangnam is famous for its trendy streets, K‑pop energy, and endless cafes, but it is also one of Seoul’s key districts for medical and beauty tourism, especially eye clinics specializing in LASIK and SMILE‑type procedures. Around Christmas, the whole area feels extra magical: streets are lined with festive lights, department stores set up huge trees and themed decorations, and major spots like COEX and Teheran‑ro glow with Christmas installations and media art displays.
Another reason Christmas was a good time is that late December in Seoul is cold but usually clear and dry, with daytime temperatures around 32–39°F and crisp winter air. That kind of weather is not only perfect for enjoying hot drinks and night views, but also makes it easier to stay indoors and rest the eyes after surgery without feeling like you are missing out on too many outdoor activities.
Planning a 'Vision Trip'
Because I was flying in from abroad, I planned about five days in Seoul focusing on three things: the pre-surgery checkup, the actual surgery, and the follow-up visit. The schedule looked something like this: Day 1 for a full eye examination and consultation, Day 2 for surgery, Days 3 and 4 for Christmas-time recovery and light sightseeing, and a final check before heading home. Many Gangnam clinics are used to this kind of short, focused “vision trip,” so their appointment systems are quite efficient for international patients.
Online booking made everything smoother. Before my flight, I was able to reserve a consultation slot, check procedure options like SMILE Pro, and confirm estimated costs and inclusions such as pre-op tests, post-op medication, and follow-up care. Knowing the prices in advance and seeing clear package descriptions helped ease a lot of anxiety and allowed me to plan my Christmas budget for both medical and travel expenses.
Initial Impressions of the Clinic
Walking into the eye clinic in Gangnam on a cold December morning, I was surprised by how modern and welcoming it felt. Instead of a typical hospital atmosphere, the lobby looked like a stylish lounge with bright lighting, comfortable seating, and clear digital signboards explaining different vision correction options. The Christmas season added an extra layer of warmth: small decorations, a cozy waiting area, and patients wrapped in winter coats made the place feel like a calm shelter from the freezing streets outside.
The staff were clearly experienced with foreign patients. After check-in, I was guided through a series of tests—measuring nearsightedness and astigmatism, checking corneal thickness and eye pressure, and detailed imaging of the cornea with advanced machines. Every step was organized and efficient, and with language support available, the explanations of each test result were easy to understand, which made me feel safe and informed rather than rushed.
Consultation and Choosing SMILE Pro
During the consultation, the doctor reviewed my results and explained my eye condition in simple terms: my degree of nearsightedness, any astigmatism, and whether my cornea was thick enough for different types of laser surgery. Instead of pushing a single option, the doctor compared conventional LASIK, surface procedures like LASEK, and the latest SMILE Pro technique, outlining differences in pain, recovery time, and long-term stability.
Because my eyes met the requirements, SMILE Pro was recommended as a balanced option with a small incision, quicker recovery, and less discomfort during and after the procedure. What reassured me most was the realistic explanation of risks and expectations: I was told about possible dryness, temporary glare at night, and the small chance of needing an enhancement, rather than being promised “perfect” vision without any side effects.
Surgery Day in Winter Seoul
On surgery day, Seoul was cold and clear, around 0°C, and the streets were filled with people taking photos of Christmas trees and light displays. While everyone else seemed to be heading to cafes and markets, I took the subway to Gangnam with eye drops in my bag and a mix of excitement and nervousness in my chest.
The actual SMILE-type procedure was surprisingly quick. After final checks and numbing eye drops, I lay under the machine and focused on a light; the laser step itself took only a few seconds per eye, and there was no sharp pain, just light pressure and a strange sense of “something happening.” Within a short time, it was over, and I was guided to a dark recovery room to rest my eyes.
Christmas-Style Recovery
For the first few hours after surgery, my vision was blurry and my eyes felt a bit watery and sensitive to light, so sunglasses and a hat were essential. The clinic provided detailed instructions and a set of eye drops, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drops, and artificial tears, along with a strict schedule to follow. Because it was Christmastime and very cold outside, it was easy to justify spending more time indoors in my hotel room, resting my eyes and listening to music or audiobooks instead of staring at screens.
By the next day, the haziness had reduced significantly and I could already see the improvement in clarity when I looked out at the city. Night still brought a bit of glare and halos around lights, which is common in the early recovery period, but walking briefly through Gangnam’s Christmas streets and seeing the decorations without glasses felt completely new and a little emotional.
