I can’t believe I can see clearly without my glasses! I just couldn’t let 2020 end without striving to have 20/20 vision too. I’ve been wearing high prescription glasses since the first grade and contacts throughout college. I wouldn’t have ever imagined I’d become a teacher in a country where LASEK/LASIK is safe, affordable and common. If you’re considering laser vision correction surgery, you may want to consider coming to South Korea. It may be one of the best decisions you ever make.

LASEK/LASIK costs one-third to half the price to get LASEK/LASIK in Korea (approx. $900 to $2500 in total) than in the United States (approx. $1,500 to $2,000 per eye). It is also a common procedure among Koreans, along with other cosmetic procedures. As a teacher in Korea, getting LASEK was an easy choice simply because I live there! Though Korea’s national insurance doesn’t pay for the procedure itself, the medications I needed were cheap (less than 15,000 won) because of the insurance. Because I knew I’d need about 4 days to recover, I chose to have LASEK during Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving, one of Korea’s national holidays, when public workers have a few weekdays off.  

I’m so happy to be blogging again. After getting LASEK, I took a much needed one month break from everything: social media, blogging, except for work of course. So I am so happy to be sharing new content with you all. Maybe you’re wondering why I got LASEK. Well, I was tired of wearing glasses, having my glasses fog up when I entered a building and purchasing contact lenses. I’ve always wanted to be able to see clearly with my natural eyes. And now I can. =)

Here is my How To Guide If You Want LASEK/LASIK In Korea

LASEK, LASIK, and SMILE are the three common types of laser vision correction surgeries. They are considered to be safe procedures with 90% or higher success rate.  On average each procedure takes between 15-20 minutes. What a relief! It’s amazing that such a short procedure has transformative results.

What’s the difference between the three procedures? SMILE is the latest technology in eye vision correction that provides the fastest recovery time (1-2 days), doesn’t leave a flap in your eye, and creates minimal dryness. LASIK also provides a fast recovery (2-3 days) but leaves a flap in your eye with more dryness. It’s recommended for athletes to avoid LASIK to limit a flap reopening. LASEK has the longest recovery time (weeks to months), doesn’t leave a flap but creates some dryness. 

Find the Right Eye Clinic

I can’t stress this enough, do your research. These are your eyes after all. I know this may sound tough but you only get one pair for eyes your entire life. After reading many blogs, reviews, and online forums about different eye clinics in Korea, I went with BGN Eye Clinic in 15F, Kyobo Tower Bldg, #1303-22 Secho-dong, Secho-gu, Seoul in Gangnam, the home of many of Korea’s best eye and plastic surgery clinics. So you’ll have several to choose from. I recommend emailing, calling and eventually visiting the clinic you’re considering prior to your surgery. Get a feel of the place so you can make your best decision. 

One thing I noticed just by visiting BGN Eye Clinic, at times I felt a bit rushed, ie the “pale pale,” culture in Korea. Read my blog on 6 Challenges You May Face In Korea and Tips On How To Adjust to learn more about it. Despite the sense of feeling rushed, the doctors and staff are very helpful and very knowledgeable about laser vision correction surgeries. Because of this, they have many of clients. Maybe you’re wondering, well what if you don’t speak Korean? That’s not a problem. There is a kind staff member designated to help foreigners with the whole process.

Book A Consultation

When you’ve finally decided on a place, you will have to set up a reservation to have your comprehensive eye exam. After your FREE comprehensive eye exam (Yes, consultation and examination are FREE), the doctors will explain the results and suggest which procedure you should do. Eye conditions such as astigmatism, myopia, near or far sightedness, plus corneal tissue thickness and a few other factors will determine which procedure is suitable for you. It takes about two hours to complete and it is recommended that you go home following the exam as your eyes would have been dilated and therefore will be really sensitive to light and blurry. You’ll also know how much your procedure will cost then too. 

For anyone traveling from abroad, some eye clinics offer same day consultation and surgery. Just be sure to call to make sure of the details.

I got Full-OP LASEK which included cross linking, designed to increase overall cornea strength and prevent degenerative myopia. Some clinics have customized vision correction procedures and offer helpful treatments (eg. retina treatment) for special eye conditions. 

Make sure to ask all the questions you have at your consultation. Take a note of everything that’s included or not included in your package. 

These were included in my package: 

• DNA testing (100,000 won is paid in advance before surgery and acts as a downpayment for the entire cost. It’s used to determine if you have any eye diseases), PRP drops (I loved this one. These are special eye drops created with the client’s blood, drawn on the day of surgery), follow up cost (my first follow was free, additional visits are under $13), eye drops (four specialized drops and a sufficient amount of artificial tears were provided with a list of instructions on how to use them on a post-op guideline sheet. Having a lot of artificial tears is always good. 

It’s important to note that some clinics provide all of this at an additional cost.

Prepare For Your Surgery

If you’re getting LASEK or LASIK, prepare in advance:

• Washing your hair beforehand because you won’t be able to wash your face for up to four days after the procedure.
• Block out sunlight from your windows; hanging heavy/thick curtains. Many clients traveling from places outside Seoul typically book a hotel nearby. Ask for a dark room in advance. If you can stay the night before the surgery, it’ll be even better so you’ll get familiar with the space. Some eye clinics offer assistance with booking hotels especially for clients traveling from abroad.
• Having ready made food and lots of water on supply, especially if you live alone. You don’t want to go outside to purchase things last minute.
• Try to have someone come with you on the day of your surgery. It’s not the worst thing if you come alone but you may need to ask a staff member at the clinic to call a taxi and help you get any medications.
• Lots of soft tissue because with the eye drops and natural tears. I was drying my eyes and my nose A LOT. I bought three boxes of tissue and used two. For some reason my nose was pretty runny too, like I had allergies, my head was really affected and causing even more discomfort. I hadn’t expected this to be the hardest part: my eyes, forehead and nose collectively created strong sinus pains. It’s like I had a bad sinus cold with prickling eyes.
• Get your podcast ready. You won’t be able to look at your phone for long anyways. I listened to hours of my favorite speakers and tv series.
• You will need a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. I wore them from the clinic to the hotel room and even inside my hotel room at times.
• Use wet wipes to lightly clean around your eyes. The eye drops leave residue, creating build up in your eyes. This can cause your eyes to sting if they’re not removed.
• You’ll be asked to refrain from wearing contacts up for a few weeks to month before your surgery.
• Prepare your mind for what’s going to happen

The Day of Surgery

*You may want to wear loose clothing, so post- surgery when getting undressed, nothing pulls against your face.

Just think in a few hours you will no longer need glasses. I was still nervous. It was Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving and there were still many people there. What better time than when you have a five day weekend. As a teacher in Korea, I took advantage of this opportunity when I had the perfect break in my schedule. When the staff called my name, I paid the remaining 2,100,000 won (2,200,000 won in total ~ approx $1,900), then they ran a few more tests to double check my eye prescription for accuracy.

Let me just put it out there that before I agreed to do this procedure I hesitated for a few minutes. I honestly just wanted to prepare myself for what was going to happen in a few minutes. I kept hearing that I’d have severe pain afterwards so I’m thinking, “Should I ask for my refund?” It’s funny looking back on it, but I literally sat there asking for 10 minutes just to think. They had other clients  waiting but it didn’t matter to me. These are my eyes. I’m glad the manager tried to be a little understanding. I was really grateful for his help. I’m sure it was a busy day for him: he translated for me, helped me get my prescriptions medicine to take for three days and painkillers (my choice) and a taxi. As I waited for my taxi, I learned he lived in Australia for many years.

After all the hesitation, I said, YES! Then I was prepped for the procedure. You’ll be asked to store personal items away in a locker, wear a surgical gown. They’ll sanitize your forehead, apply tape to separate your eyes from the rest of your face and add a series of eye drops to your eyes. Your eyesight may become a bit blurry. You’ll wait in a dark room until you’re called inside the surgical room. It’s about to happen. Ready, set, 20/20 vision here I come. 

During The Surgery

When it was my turn, a staff member led my arm and helped me lay on the surgical bed. I layed there thinking, “I’m really going to do this.” In a few minutes I heard the sounds of the laser zapping. Weirdly enough, I was told I had to switch machines because my pupils were “different,” from Koreans. They hadn’t started the surgery when this happened. I was so confused, but they always reassured me that everything was okay.

When the laser is moving against your eye, it may slightly smell like something is burning. It took about five to ten minutes per eye. You’ll be asked to keep your eyes on the laser the entire time and stay still. They’ll have the eye equipment keeping your eyes open. I liked that they said what they’re doing step-by-step in English eg. You’ll feel a cool liquid on your eyes. You’re awake the whole time and you won’t feel any pain because they’ve numbed your eyes. It’s a little nerve racking and uncomfortable. Don’t move during the surgery. It’ll be over before you know it. 

It went by quick. A few minutes after, though my eyesight was a bit blurry, I could already see much better without my glasses. Since they gave me the eye drops and post-op instruction sheet before I signed the official papers. I was ready to head to my hotel. The manager helped me into a cab and I headed to Gangnam ArtNouveau City Hotel II in Gangnam.

Can I just tell you why this hotel was perfect for me? Simply put. There was a microwave, kitchenette and a sofa couch. The couch came in handy because lying down to sleep on the bed felt very uncomfortable the first few days.  The room was very elegant. The free breakfast provided for long staying guests was a big bonus. Each morning I woke up to have a hot breakfast at the first floor restaurant. Even though I wore my sunglasses while I ate most days, because my eyes were sensitive to the light and I kept having to shut my eyes just to feel relief, I enjoyed every bite.

I loved my hotel. I’m so glad I came the day before. I arranged everything so I could find them easily.

After The Surgery – A Few Hours Later

Something random that might provide relief: a neck pillow. It was the best thing I packed with me. Since I couldn’t sleep lying down, the neck pillow helped me fall asleep anywhere.

When the numbing starts wearing off, as a friend of mine said when I couldn’t find the words to describe the feeling, “it feels like there’s many eyelashes in your eyes.” One eyelash is sometimes too much, imagine a few. The first day is easily the worst. You’ll sometimes feel prickling/tightening around your eyelids. I took one painkiller three hours after the procedure and one before bed. Though I was told I’d have severe pain, thank God I didn’t. But it still felt very uncomfortable. 

Also before the procedure they’ll explain which drops you’ll have to take. Apply your drops. This is crucial. This prevents your eyes from dryness and the protective lens from falling out. You will use artificial drops every 10 – 20 mins, the PRP drops every 4 hours, and another specialized drop every 2 hours. You’ll also have to take medication for three days (it includes antibiotics). After the protective lenses are removed you’ll have to use two new specialized drops: one every fours hours and another every three hours, along with artificial tears. After each follow up, the doctors will prescribed their recommended usage.

Each night I was able to order food from an app to be sent to my hotel. This was the only time I used my phone. But jokes aside, I ate with my eyes closed. I never imagined I’d eat dinner in a dimly lit room without seeing my food. My eyes wouldn’t stay open. 

The good news is you’ll be able to shower from the neck down. Along with other ready made food such as ramen, I bought carrot juice for good measures.. You’ll also have to sleep with special goggles they’ll provide for two weeks.

Day 1 – 4

The following days they’ll be a little soreness, but it mostly a repeat of waking up, eating in a dimly lit room, applying drops, listening to podcasts in a dimly lit room, taking naps, talking to family and friends for moral support in a dimly lit room (you get the gist) and sleeping. You’ll be doing almost everything with your eyes closed most of the time. I’m speaking as a person who’s gotten LASEK. It will be different for someone with LASIK or SMILE, which have shorter recovery times and is less invasive. 

Don’t be alarmed if your vision seems like flickering light. This happened to me a few times around day two to five. 

Day 5

It was time for my first free checkup and remove the protective lenses. It’s very important to keep your eyes from getting dry so the lenses don’t come out before the five days are up. This is why you should apply drops frequently (about every 10-20 minutes). The doctors stress that if the lenses fall out before the first check up visit, you have to immediately go to an eye clinic to replace it.

Two Weeks – Two Months Later

After two weeks I had another follow up, where I was told that everything looks good. My prescription as changed drastically but I am not at the ideal vision yet. From the beginning, it’s all about maintaining good habits for proper healing. That includes using artificial tears and specialized drops as recommended, wearing sunglasses to protect my eyes from UV rays and taking breaks when using the computer and phone. 

Was it worth it? Yes! It’s been two months since I got LASEK and I am happy with the results. I’m reminding myself to be gentle and take breaks when using the computer, though this is hard. My eyes are improving very well. It’ll take a few months before my eyes have stabilized and reach positive number vision such as 20/20. I’ll be happy when they do. I’m waiting patiently.