Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic: SCHWIND ATOS, LASEK & ICL for Foreigners
What does Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic offer?
Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic (강남스마일안과의원) opened in 2019, according to its Korea Tourism Organization (VISITKOREA) listing, which describes "a one-stop total care system" covering vision correction, cataract, retinal disease and glaucoma, and around 60 employees including medical staff. Its English website lists four main procedures: "New Smile LASIK", all-laser LASEK, ICL and cataract surgery.
Note that "New Smile LASIK" here is not ZEISS SMILE. The clinic performs lenticule extraction on the SCHWIND ATOS laser (SCHWIND calls its technique SmartSight). It is the same family of keyhole, flap-free procedure, but on a different platform from the ZEISS VisuMax used for SMILE and SMILE Pro. Our SMILE vs SMILE Pro guide explains the ZEISS versions.
What equipment does the clinic name?
The clinic names three SCHWIND (Germany) devices: the ATOS femtosecond laser, the AMARIS Red excimer laser (used for all-laser LASEK) and the SCHWIND Sirius corneal tomographer. The clinic states it was the first local clinic to introduce the ATOS, that it led Korea in yearly ATOS surgeries as of June 2022, 2023 and 2024 (VISITKOREA listing), and that it has published ATOS SmartSight outcomes in the Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society. These are the clinic's own statements.
| Item | What official sources state |
|---|---|
| Address | 4F & 6F, Tongyoung Building, 405 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu |
| Subway | Right in front of Gangnam Station Exit 10 (Line 2) |
| Opened | 2019 |
| Lenticule surgery | SCHWIND ATOS (SmartSight) |
| Surface laser | All-laser LASEK, SCHWIND AMARIS Red |
| Lens / cataract | ICL, cataract surgery |
| Screening | About 1–2 hours; fee reimbursed if you have surgery there |
| Contact | WhatsApp +82-10-8127-8252; online booking via Calendly |
How does the foreign-patient process work?
The clinic's English site advertises English-speaking doctors and staff, a direct English call line, English documents and online appointment booking; VISITKOREA adds an interpretation coordinator service, foreign-language materials and an exclusive lounge and consultation room for international visitors. The clinic says screening takes about one to two hours and that the screening fee is credited back if you go on to have surgery there. Build in time for a full pre-op exam and post-op checks before your flight.
Where is it and how do I get there?
The Tongyoung Building at 405 Gangnam-daero is on the Seocho-gu side of Gangnam Station; the clinic says it is right in front of Exit 10 (Line 2). See Incheon Airport to Gangnam and where to stay near Gangnam eye clinics.
How does it compare with our procedure guides?
It is one of the few Seoul clinics centred on SCHWIND rather than ZEISS lasers. If you are weighing lenticule surgery against surface ablation, see LASEK vs SMILE and our LASEK guide; for thin corneas or high prescriptions, the ICL guide. We did not find published prices; our SMILE cost guide gives Seoul-wide ranges for comparison only.
What should I ask Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic?
- How does ATOS SmartSight differ from ZEISS SMILE Pro for my prescription and astigmatism?
- How many ATOS procedures has my surgeon personally performed?
- If enhancement is needed later, what are the options after ATOS surgery?
- Is the price per eye or both eyes, and what does it include?
- Can I get my scans and surgical record in English to take home?
All refractive procedures carry risks, including dry eye, glare and halos and under- or over-correction. A full exam and an ophthalmologist's advice are essential. See questions to ask a LASIK surgeon.
Sources
Clinic at a glance
- Address: 4F & 6F, Tongyoung Building, 405 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- Nearest station: Gangnam Station Exit 10 (Line 2), directly in front per the clinic
- Opened: 2019 (VisitKorea listing)
- Lasers named: SCHWIND ATOS, SCHWIND AMARIS Red; SCHWIND Sirius diagnostics
- English support: English-speaking doctors and staff, direct English line, English documents
- Compare: LASIK clinics in Seocho
Related guides
Independent profile. Facts are taken from the clinic's own website and official listings on the review date shown above. Inclusion is not an endorsement and we accept no payment from clinics. Confirm prices, equipment and doctors directly with the clinic before booking.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic?
The clinic lists 4F & 6F, Tongyoung Building, 405 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, right in front of Gangnam Station Exit 10.
Is "New Smile LASIK" the same as ZEISS SMILE?
No. The clinic uses the SCHWIND ATOS laser for its lenticule surgery (SmartSight). It is a similar flap-free approach on a different manufacturer's platform.
Does Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic charge for screening?
The clinic says screening takes about 1–2 hours and the screening fee is reimbursed from the surgery cost if you have surgery there.
Do they speak English at Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic?
The clinic advertises English-speaking doctors and staff, a direct English line and English documents.
When did Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic open?
The Korea Tourism Organization's listing says it opened in 2019.
Planning vision correction in Seoul?
Compare clinics by district, check 2026 price ranges, and read our step-by-step planning guide for international patients.