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SMILE LASIK in Apgujeong & Sinsa, Seoul: Clinics, Cost & Patient Guide

Why consider Apgujeong or Sinsa for SMILE?

For a calmer setting than Gangnam Station, with several SMILE providers within a 10-minute walk of each other. The district is upscale and residential: Garosu-gil's boutiques in Sinsa-dong, luxury fashion and cosmetic clinics in Apgujeong, and the Han River parks to the north. It also suits visitors staying in central Seoul, because Line 3 runs straight here from Chungmuro next to Myeongdong.

Which clinics in Apgujeong and Sinsa list SMILE?

The clinics below list SMILE on the official or listing pages we checked in November 2026. Order is geographic, not a ranking.

Apgujeong Eye Clinic's own site also makes marketing claims we could not verify independently, so we do not repeat them. Ask every clinic which laser and software version it uses, how many SMILE cases the surgeon has done, and its enhancement policy. See the Apgujeong Eye Clinic profile and questions to ask your surgeon.

How do I get to Sinsa and Apgujeong from the airports?

From Incheon, limousine bus 6009 stops at Sinsa first in Seoul, in about 70 minutes. From Gimpo, take Line 9 express to Sinnonhyeon (about 35 minutes) and change to the Shinbundang Line north to Sinsa, which has served Sinsa since May 2022.

What does a SMILE visit in Sinsa look like, hour by hour?

Most visitors need two clinic days, screening and surgery, plus a short check the morning after. A typical plan looks like this, though each clinic sets its own schedule.

• Screening (3–4 hours): vision and refraction, corneal tomography and thickness mapping, tear-film tests, pupil measurement, a dilated retinal exam and a surgeon consultation. Dilation blurs near vision for several hours, so plan a quiet afternoon.
• Surgery day (about 2 hours at the clinic): final checks, numbing drops, then a few minutes of laser and lenticule removal per eye. You rest briefly, receive drops and instructions, and go back to your hotel by taxi.
• Evening: keep your eyes closed as much as possible; scratchiness and watering for a few hours are common.
• Next morning: a short check of vision and the incision. Many people can see well enough for gentle walks by then.

Garosu-gil's cafes are good places to wait between tests, but skip shopping on surgery day. Wear sunglasses outdoors, avoid rubbing your eyes, and keep dust and smoke away for the first week. If the screening shows SMILE is not suitable, ask what the clinic recommends instead and why. See the pre-op eye exam in Korea and screen time after surgery.

What is the difference between SMILE and SMILE Pro?

Both remove a thin lens of corneal tissue (a lenticule) through a small incision without cutting a flap. SMILE Pro is the same procedure performed on ZEISS's newer VISUMAX 800, which creates the lenticule in under 10 seconds and is FDA-approved for nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. Shorter laser time can make it easier to keep still; whether it improves outcomes for you is a question for your surgeon. See SMILE Pro in Korea and SMILE in Korea.

Who is a good SMILE candidate?

SMILE suits stable myopia, with or without astigmatism, in healthy corneas. It is generally not used for farsightedness, and very high or unstable prescriptions may be better served by a lens implant. Expect a full work-up: corneal tomography, pachymetry, tear tests and a dilated exam. Risks include dry eye, glare and halos, and under-correction; enhancements after SMILE are usually done with surface treatment. See SMILE recovery timeline and ICL vs SMILE.

How much does SMILE cost in Apgujeong?

Clinics here price within the Seoul ranges: SMILE ₩2.2M–₩3.2M for both eyes (approximately $1,600–$2,350) and SMILE Pro ₩3M–₩5M for both eyes, typically around ₩4M (approximately $2,200–$3,700). Ranges were checked in 2026 at about ₩1,350–1,400 per dollar. See SMILE cost and SMILE Pro cost.

How does Apgujeong compare with Gangnam and Myeongdong for SMILE?

Gangnam Station has more SMILE clinics; Apgujeong and Sinsa offer a smaller, quieter cluster. Myeongdong had no SMILE provider we could verify, so Sinsa, 15 minutes away on Line 3, is the nearest SMILE option for many central-Seoul visitors. See SMILE in Gangnam and SMILE for Myeongdong visitors.

Where should I stay?

Boutique hotels and serviced apartments around Garosu-gil and Sinsa Station keep you within walking distance of all three clinics. Plan 2–4 nights after SMILE for the next-day and early checks; quiet Han River walks are a good low-strain outing once your surgeon allows it.

Sources

• Modoodoc – Apgujeong Eye Clinic listing
• Modoodoc – Apgujeong S&B Eye Clinic listing
• Goodoc – Apgujeong Bright Eye Clinic listing
• Apgujeong Eye Clinic – official English site
• G-MedTech – ZEISS VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro FDA approval
• Wikipedia – Sinsa station

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which clinics in Apgujeong list SMILE Pro?

Apgujeong Eye Clinic and Apgujeong S&B Eye Clinic list SMILE Pro on the pages we checked in November 2026. Confirm availability for your prescription at the consultation.

Is Apgujeong far from Gangnam Station?

No. Sinsa is a few stops from Gangnam on the Shinbundang Line, so you can compare clinics in both areas on the same day.

Can I have SMILE if I have astigmatism?

Often yes; SMILE treats myopia with astigmatism within limits. High astigmatism may be better suited to other options, such as a toric ICL.

How soon can I go back to work after SMILE?

Many people return to desk work within a few days, but follow your surgeon's advice on screens, makeup and exercise.

Planning vision correction in Seoul?

Compare clinics by district, check 2026 price ranges, and read our step-by-step planning guide for international patients.