One of the best decisions made in 2025
Joe
6 days ago
1. The reason I decided to say goodbye to glasses
As someone with very high myopia and astigmatism (left eye -8.75, right eye -8.25 with 2.50 astigmatism), glasses have long been a heavy burden in my life. I love all kinds of sports, from land activities like jogging, badminton, and softball, to underwater freediving and scuba diving, and thick glasses always make me feel clumsy while playing. I tried contact lenses, but I could never get used to the dry feeling, and it was even more painful when going underwater.
At the end of 2025, I decided to go to Korea Seoul Station to have this life-changing ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) correction surgery at Gangnam Bright Eye Clinic (Bright Eye Clinic).
2. Peace of mind for seeking medical care across the sea: starting from the Taiwan information session
Many people ask me why I specifically flew to Korea for the surgery. Actually, it started because I attended a Creatrip information session held in Taiwan. The clinic director was there in person to introduce the procedure, and that professionalism immediately eased my concerns. In Korea, eyesight correction surgery is almost as common as cosmetic procedures, and the techniques and case experience are extremely mature.
What made me even more at ease was that the clinic provided one-on-one Chinese translation services, and the translator was from Taiwan! This removed all language barriers, letting me seek treatment abroad with the same peace of mind as if I were at home.
3. Day of surgery: a 10-minute ocular 'technology upgrade'
On the day of surgery, December 26, 2025, the whole process took about 3 to 4 hours. Although the actual operation lasted less than 10 minutes, the clinic had very strict arrangements for the second round of precise testing, preoperative preparations, and one hour of rest in the recovery room after the procedure.
When I entered the operating room, the medical staff were gentle, and the Taiwanese translator stayed by my side the whole time, relaying the doctor's instructions and offering reassurance. Because of the local anesthesia, the procedure didn't hurt at all, the only noticeable sensation was a distinct foreign-body, pressing feeling above the eye when the lens was implanted. Although it sounds a bit scary, the psychological stress was much greater than the physical pain, and with the translator's company I quickly relaxed and completed the surgery.
4. Postoperative recovery: a magical journey from watery haze to clarity
Right after the surgery, because of the dilating drops, my vision still had a strong watery blur. I went back to the hotel to rest at 4 PM, and surprisingly after only about two hours, when I opened my eyes at 6 PM, the world was already crystal clear! That feeling of being able to see the ceiling pattern without needing to find my glasses was truly amazing.
About the post-op reactions everyone is worried about, here’s my experience:
Halos (光圈): Seeing halos around lights at night does occur, but during the pre-op consultation and Taiwan follow-up appointment, the doctor confirmed this is a normal effect of ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) and does not affect daily life.
Intraocular pressure issue: During the first-week check after returning to Taiwan, I found my intraocular pressure was high, which made me more alert. I immediately contacted Myeongmo Eye Clinic via LINE, and used pressure-lowering eye drops prescribed by my Taiwan doctor. After continuing the drops for a month, the follow-up appointment confirmed my intraocular pressure had fully returned to normal.
Foreign body sensation: Aside from the pressure during the surgery, after the anesthesia wore off I couldn’t feel the lens at all.
5. A real change in quality of life: no more automatically pushing up my glasses
Since the surgery, my quality of life has improved across the board. Now when I go jogging or play sports, I no longer have to deal with glasses bouncing with every step; when I dive, I’ve said goodbye to the dryness and discomfort of contact lenses, and can enjoy the ocean more purely.
Interestingly, my brain's 'inertia' hasn't fully caught up yet. Before showering or when I walk to the sink, I still find myself instinctively reaching to take off the 'nonexistent glasses' to wash, which is probably a cute aftereffect from years of high myopia.
6. Advice and Risk Assessment for Those Considering Surgery in Korea
If you’re also considering traveling to Korea for ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery, I have a few in-depth suggestions:
Follow-up appointment package:
This was the part I worried about the most before traveling, but after doing thorough research and testing it out, I found that most regular eye clinics in Taiwan can handle follow-up appointments. I registered with my national health number and explained it was a routine check after refractive surgery, and the doctors were very professional and didn’t mind at all. Some even shared that surgery prices in Korea are indeed competitive, and because they perform so many procedures, the surgeons tend to have plenty of experience.
Traveling overseas for surgery is at your own risk:
It's undeniable that cross-border medical care carries risks. Although Korean techniques are advanced, no surgery is 100% safe. If you experience intraocular pressure fluctuations like I did after surgery, be prepared to seek medical support on your own in Taiwan. Before you go, assess how much risk you can accept, and make sure the clinic (such as Myeongmok Eye Clinic) has a reliable online contact channel, like LINE, that can respond to your questions at any time.
artificial tears and care:
In the early postoperative period your eyes tend to feel dry, so follow your doctor’s instructions and use appropriate artificial tears, and give your brain and intraocular pressure some time to stabilize.
Summary:
This surgery experience at Gangnam Bright Eye Clinic left me extremely satisfied. The professional medical team, a barrier-free environment for Chinese communication, and the restored clear vision after surgery made this definitely one of the best decisions I made in 2025.
