Finally said goodbye to glasses for good! 👓👋 On 3/31 I had my LASIK at Gangnam Good Eyes Eye Clinic in Korea, and it was honestly the best decision I’ve made this year!
Eric
14 hours ago
(1/8) Introduction: Why decide to get laser eye surgery in Korea?
I never imagined in my life that my partner and I would fly to Korea, not for fried chicken or shopping, but for these eyes.
As someone who uses electronic devices for long hours, glasses have long been part of my life, but slipping during exercise and fogging up while eating noodles always got annoying. The decision to have surgery came from a simple wish: to record life on future travels with the clearest vision, no longer limited by frames.
This time we chose the highly rated 'Good Eyes Ophthalmology Clinic' we found online, and booked through Creatrip, which started an unexpectedly amazing medical experience.
(2/8) The 'Line Online Marathon' one month before pre-op
Actually, before deciding to go, I was conflicted. The biggest worries about cross-border medical care are poor communication and lack of aftercare.
Over the past month, a specialist from Good Eyes Ophthalmology Clinic stayed in touch with me through Line, patiently answering all my nonstop questions—from differences between procedures, post-op recovery, to how to apply the eye drops. The specialist was consistently very patient, quick to respond, and professional. This high level of service and convenience built a strong sense of trust before we even left the country.
(3/8) Stepping into the clinic: feeling the utmost professionalism
Arrived at the clinic on 3/31, the on-site scale and precise equipment really opened our eyes.
Even as an international patient, there was no need to worry about communication, the clinic’s translation service was excellent, and the specialists guided us through a series of very thorough, precise examinations.
After the exams, the staff explained our corneal thickness and the data. Because I didn't have astigmatism, I chose the classic SMILE; my partner had astigmatism, so for more precise correction and better visual quality, they chose SMILE Pro. This personalized recommendation showed the clinic's professionalism and trustworthiness.
(4/8) Consultation with the doctor: lifting a weight off my chest
Before the surgery, we had an in-depth consultation with the operating surgeon.
I specifically mentioned, 'Doctor, I'm worried that after laser eye surgery, presbyopia will affect my life sooner.' After hearing me out, the doctor very professionally suggested I can 'leave a little prescription' to balance future vision needs.
My partner looked into how SMILE Pro helps correct astigmatism in detail, and the doctor addressed each of our concerns one by one. Their sincere, non-salesy approach, giving only the most suitable advice, put us at ease a lot.
(5/8) The mental struggle during the procedure
Even though I understood how it works, I was still super nervous before going into the operating room: 'What if my eye moves around during the surgery?'
The staff member patiently reassured me, explaining that during the SMILE procedure the eye is gently held by the device, and unless you struggle very hard it won’t be affected. They even told me that if anything did go wrong there are alternative procedures to compensate, and they could even refund the price difference between procedures. That kind of transparent, responsible protection finally let me lie on the operating table with a hopeful heart.
(6/8) Surgery Update: That Vanishing Green Light
I decided to go first, without fear! Lying on the machine, just as the specialist described, there was a small green light ahead.
When the laser eye surgery starts, the green light gradually blurs and disappears as the process continues. During those few dozen seconds, although it feels like your vision shifts a bit, the specialist's gentle voice comes through, 'You're doing great, keep it steady!'
This sentence is truly reassuring. In just a few minutes the surgery was over, it didn’t hurt at all, there was only a gentle feeling of pressure.
(7/8) Post-op immediate: The world is lighting up
The moment I stepped out the door, my vision was already about seventy to eighty percent restored! It felt like looking through a thin veil of mist, but being able to see the clinic’s clock clearly without glasses was truly amazing.
We then returned to the hotel to rest, put in some eye drops, and closed our eyes. After a nap we woke up and the hazy feeling had noticeably faded, our vision clearer than ever.
Follow-up check the next day: my vision in one eye had already recovered to 0.9, and combined with both eyes it was 1.0! My partner’s recovery also had the doctor full of praise.
(8/8) Summary and sincere recommendation
This time I booked through Creatrip, not only getting an exclusive booking discount, but the on-site explanations about refunds and payment were also very clear.
If you also want to say goodbye to glasses, Korea’s medical technology and attentive service are definitely worth it.
Thank you Good Eyes Ophthalmology Clinic, for giving us the most precious souvenir, a clear world.
