Operating room at B&VIIT Eye Center, Gangnam, Seoul
B&VIIT Eye Center · Gangnam, Seoul · Since 1994

LASIK, SMILE Pro & ICL in Seoul, Korea

Planned by 12 ophthalmologists and an AI prediction system built on 580,000+ eyes. Start with a full eye examination — and, if you're suitable, surgery can follow the same day.

ESCRS · ASCRS · AAO · APAO member surgeons RSA 2019 Premier Practice Showcase host Gangnam Station Exit 9
31 Years of experience
629,650 Eye surgeries performed
12 Ophthalmologists
180 Medical staff
60 Types of eye exams
Experience you can verify

Would your surgeon trust this surgery with their own family?
Ours already did.

Every one of our 12 ophthalmologists has had vision correction surgery themselves — and several have operated on their own children and parents.

2003

Dr. Jin-kuk Kim operated on his own daughter.

2011 · 2013

Dr. In-sik Lee operated on both of his daughters.

2022

Dr. Hee-sun Kim performed vision correction for her children.

2024

Dr. Hannuy Choi performed cataract surgery for her mother.

Family

Dr. Ik-hee Ryu performed refractive cataract surgery for his father.

629,650 eye surgeries since 1994
31 years in vision correction
120 published research papers
50+ international medical lectures

Don't choose a clinic on price alone. Ask every clinic these five questions:

  1. Who exactly will operate on me — and how many of these procedures have they performed?
  2. How many tests will you run before recommending surgery?
  3. What will you recommend if I'm not a good candidate?
  4. Does the written quotation include follow-up care?
  5. Has my surgeon had this surgery themselves?

Bring these questions to your consultation at B&VIIT. Ask about an appointment →

About B&VIIT

What is B&VIIT Eye Center?

B&VIIT Eye Center is a vision correction and refractive cataract clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, established in 1994. Its 12 ophthalmologists — most trained at Yonsei University Severance Hospital — perform SMILE Pro, SMILE, LASIK, LASEK, ICL and cataract surgery for Korean and international patients.

Care starts with understanding how you see. Up to 60 diagnostic tests measure your corneal shape and thickness, prescription stability, tear film and eye health. B&VIIT's AI vision correction prediction system then compares your results with data from more than 580,000 eyes to help your surgeon recommend the option that suits you — which may also be continuing with glasses or contact lenses.

The team shares its work with peers: 120 published research papers and 50+ international medical lectures since 2011. About the center and medical team →

Your options

More than one way to correct your vision

Different procedures suit different eyes. Explore how they work, then discuss the benefits and trade-offs with your ophthalmologist.

SMILE Pro laser vision correction in Seoul
01 · SMALL INCISION

SMILE & SMILE Pro

A laser creates a thin lenticule inside the cornea, removed through a ~2 mm incision. SMILE Pro uses the VisuMax 800 with under 10 seconds of laser time.

Explore SMILE Pro → Understand SMILE →
LASIK and PersonalEYES treatment planning
02 · LASER CORRECTION

LASIK & PersonalEYES

LASIK reshapes the cornea beneath a flap. PersonalEYES adds an individual optical model to planning for suitable eyes, helping reduce glare and residual astigmatism.

Explore LASIK → Understand PersonalEYES →
LASEK and PRK surface laser treatment
03 · SURFACE TREATMENT

LASEK & PRK

Surface laser treatment avoids a flap — suited to thin corneas or contact sports — but the eye surface needs several days to heal.

Explore LASEK and PRK →
ICL implantable lens for high myopia
04 · LENS IMPLANTS

ICL & Phakic IOL

A custom Collamer lens corrects vision while keeping your natural lens and cornea intact. It is intraocular surgery requiring careful measurement and monitoring.

Explore ICL → Understand phakic lenses →
Refractive cataract center
05 · LENS REPLACEMENT

Cataract care

Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy natural lens. Lens choice should reflect your eye health, visual needs and tolerance for optical side effects.

Explore cataract care →
Ortho-K lens fitting
06 · CONTACT LENSES

Ortho-K

Specially fitted overnight lenses temporarily reshape the cornea. Lens hygiene, a suitable fit and regular checks are essential.

Explore Ortho-K →
Procedure spotlight

SMILE Pro: how is it different from SMILE?

SMILE Pro replaces the VisuMax 500 laser with the VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser. Laser time falls to under 10 seconds — about one-third of conventional SMILE — reducing exposure and the risk of suction loss.

  • CentraLign aligns the visual and pupil axes to help reduce glare and halos.
  • OcuLign compensates for subtle eye rotation for precise astigmatism correction.
  • ~2 mm micro-incision with no flap.
  • Check-ups: day 1, 1 month, 6 months and 1 year.
SMILE Pro in Korea →
SMILE Pro video

Video: How SMILE Pro works at B&VIIT

Compare

Which vision correction surgery is right for me?

A side-by-side summary. Your surgeon confirms suitability only after a full examination.

SMILE / SMILE Pro LASIK LASEK (PRK) ICL (Phakic IOL)
Method No flap; lenticule removed through ~2 mm incision Flap created, then laser reshaping Surface epithelium removed, then laser Custom lens placed behind the iris via 2–3 mm incision
Often suits Fast recovery; dry-eye concerns; myopia & astigmatism Short time off work; corneas over 500 μm Thin corneas; small eyes; contact sports High myopia; thin corneas; not laser candidates
Typical recovery Most return to daily life next day Fast; avoid pressure on the eyes early on 3–4 days of mild discomfort Usually next day
Follow-up Day 1, 1 mo, 6 mo, 1 yr Day 1 and routine checks Day 1, day 4; care for 3–6 months Weekly for 1 month, then regular

A medical certificate can be provided for post-operative check-ups in your home country.

AI-assisted eye examination at B&VIIT
Before any decision

The examination comes first

A prescription alone cannot tell you which operation is appropriate. Your consultation connects your measurements with your goals and the risks you are willing to accept.

  • Corneal shape and thickness
  • Prescription stability and eye health
  • Dry eye symptoms and visual demands
  • Expected recovery and aftercare

B&VIIT's AI system compares your results with data from 580,000+ eyes — and, for ICL, predicts the ideal lens size and position.

People behind your care

Meet the ophthalmologists

Ask who will assess your eyes, perform your procedure and oversee your follow-up. Every B&VIIT surgeon has had vision correction surgery personally.

Dr. Jin-kuk Kim

Dr. Jin-kuk Kim

Founder
  • MD, MS Yonsei; PhD Ophthalmology, Dong-A
  • Excimer Fellow, Dresden University
  • Adjunct Professor, Yonsei College of Medicine
Operated on his own daughter (2003)
Dr. In-sik Lee

Dr. In-sik Lee

Refractive cataract · SMILE · ICL
  • MD, PhD Yonsei University
  • Former Professor, Severance Hospital
  • Member, ASCRS
Operated on his daughters (2011, 2013)
Dr. Ik-hee Ryu

Dr. Ik-hee Ryu

ICL · SMILE · Cataract
  • MD, MS Yonsei University
  • Adjunct Professor, Severance Hospital
  • Exec. Director, Korean Ophthalmologists Assoc.
Had vision correction himself (2007)
Dr. Hannuy Choi

Dr. Hannuy Choi

SMILE Pro · ICL · Lens exchange
  • MD, MS Korea University
  • Member KSCRS, ASCRS, ESCRS
  • Certified ICL expert; 15,000+ surgeries
Operated on her mother (2024)

About the center and medical team

ESCRS European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
ASCRS American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
AAO American Academy of Ophthalmology
APAO Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
Plan your visit

Clear steps. Room for your questions.

Suitable patients can have the examination in the morning and surgery the same afternoon — useful on a short stay in Seoul. An English-speaking coordinator supports you from first message to final check. SMILE LASIK in Korea for international patients →

One-day surgery video

Video: The one-day surgery journey

  1. Before Seoul

    Share your dates and contact lens type. Confirm how long to stop wearing lenses and what records to bring.

  2. Examination

    Up to 60 tests. Review your findings, alternatives and a written quotation.

  3. Treatment

    Surgery is offered only when the examination supports it — the same day if suitable.

  4. Recovery & follow-up

    Attend early checks and agree a follow-up and contact plan before leaving Korea.

Center tour

Inside B&VIIT Eye Center

360° Virtual Tour
Vision correction center receptionConsultation roomDiagnostic equipmentExamination areaPatient lounge
B&VIIT on YouTube

Watch, learn, then decide

Procedure explainers and surgery walk-throughs from our ophthalmologists.

▶ Subscribe on YouTube
ICL surgery video

ICL: vision correction without removing corneal tissue

SMILE Pro video

SMILE Pro with the VisuMax 800

One-day surgery video

One-day surgery for international patients

Latest uploads

B&V
@bnviiteng B&VIIT Eye Center · Seoul — clinic life, patient stories & eye-care tips
Follow on Instagram

Also follow our Korean account @bnviit.

Patient stories

What international patients say

"Several doctors told me surgery was impossible for my eyes. After Toric ICL with Dr. Ryu, my vision is now near normal."

Toric ICL patient · International

"The medical service was flawless and Dr. Choi was professional and transparent. My vision went from 1/10 and 2/10 to 12/10."

SMILE patient · France

"The AI system and the full range of options, from PRK to SMILE and ICL, add real value for patients."

Visiting refractive surgeon · RSA 2019

Individual experiences; results and recovery differ between patients.

Understand the limits as well as the benefits

Eye surgery can cause dry eye, glare, halos, residual prescription or more serious complications. Some people still need glasses. Results and recovery differ, and no procedure guarantees a particular visual outcome.

Patient information: refractive surgery risks (U.S. FDA) →
Common questions

Before you book

Which eye surgery is right for me?

The answer depends on your prescription, corneal shape and thickness, tear film, eye health and daily activities. Your examination may lead to a recommendation for SMILE, LASIK, surface laser treatment, a lens implant or continued use of glasses and contact lenses.

Can international patients request an appointment?

Yes. Contact the international patient team in English with your preferred appointment dates and treatment questions. An enquiry is not a confirmed appointment or a determination that surgery is suitable.

How much does vision correction cost?

A written quotation should identify the procedure, whether it covers one or both eyes, any additional testing or treatment, medication and follow-up. The final plan and price depend on the examination; this website does not promise a single price for every patient.

Can I have surgery during a short trip to Seoul?

Some suitable patients can arrange examination and surgery on the same day. Leave time for the required early follow-up and arrange ongoing care before returning home. Ask the team to confirm your travel schedule before buying non-refundable tickets.

Content updated 10 October 2026. General patient information; individual recommendations follow an ophthalmic examination.

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