LASIK in Korea is popular with visitors because the big eye clinics in Gangnam run the whole process, exam to surgery to check-up, in two or three days. The planning mistakes we see are almost always about contact lenses and the return flight, so this guide starts there. Information is current as of November 2026.
How many days do I need in Seoul for LASIK?
Plan 3 to 5 days. The eye exam, the surgery and the next-day check-up are fixed; the extra days give room if the exam needs repeating.
| Day | What happens | Time at the clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Full eye exam and consultation | 2 to 3 hours |
| Day 1 or 2 | Surgery | About 1 to 2 hours including prep |
| Day after surgery | Check-up | About 1 hour |
| Before flying | Optional second check | Ask your clinic |
After the exam your pupils are dilated, so reading and bright light are uncomfortable for a few hours. Do not plan sightseeing that afternoon.
When should I stop wearing contact lenses?
Most Korean eye clinics ask for about one week without soft lenses and two to three weeks without hard or toric lenses before the exam. Lenses press on the cornea, and the measurements need the cornea in its natural shape. If you arrive still wearing lenses, the clinic may ask you to come back later, which is the most common reason trips run over.
LASIK, LASEK or SMILE: which one is for me?
The exam decides. Corneal thickness, prescription and dry-eye tests set which methods are possible for you; the surgeon then explains the trade-offs.
| Method | How it works | Recovery feel |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | A thin flap, then laser | Vision usually clear the next day |
| LASEK / PRK | No flap, surface treated | Several days of discomfort, slower to clear |
| SMILE | A small incision, no flap | Close to LASIK for most people |
See our LASIK page and the SMILE page for the typical downtime of each.
What should I ask the clinic before I book?
Ask these four questions by message before you buy flights:
- What is the contact lens rule before the exam?
- Is the exam fee deducted if I have the surgery?
- Which methods are possible for my prescription, and what does each include?
- Who checks my eyes the day after, and what happens if I need a check after I fly home?
Clinics treating foreign patients are registered with the Korean government; our guide on checking a clinic's license shows how to look one up.
Eye clinics our guests often book
These Gangnam eye clinics have international desks and see many visitors. KBW partner clinics give our guests a free consultation, and we confirm the exam rules in English before you travel.
KBW DirectBGN Eye Clinic GangnamGangnam · LASIK & eyeGet a free consultation ›
KBW DirectHealing Eye ClinicGangnam · LASIK & eyeGet a free consultation ›
KBW DirectClear Seoul Eye ClinicGangnam · LASIK & eyeGet a free consultation ›Where should I stay?
Stay within a short taxi ride of the clinic. On surgery day you will not want the subway, and the next-day check-up is usually in the morning.
Bring sunglasses and a cap, and plan indoor days: museums, cafés and the Starfield COEX library are easy on the eyes after the check-up.
Next step
Message us on WhatsApp with your prescription, how long you have worn contact lenses, and your dates. We ask a partner eye clinic in Korean which methods fit, book the exam, and put the stay and the airport transfer into one plan.
