Cataract surgery in Gangnam, Seoul: Clinics, Cost & Patient Guide
Why have cataract surgery in Gangnam?
Gangnam-gu lets you choose between a private eye clinic and a major university hospital without leaving the district. Private clinics around Gangnam Station tend to emphasise premium lenses, fast scheduling and English-speaking coordinators; the hospitals in southern Gangnam-gu suit patients with other eye or health conditions who want a multi-specialty setting.
Unlike laser vision correction, cataract surgery is mostly sought by people over 55, often travelling with family. Gangnam is a dense business district, so it is worth choosing a hotel close to the clinic with step-free access and easy taxi pickup rather than the busiest nightlife blocks.
Which Gangnam clinics and hospitals offer cataract surgery?
These providers list cataract surgery or an ophthalmology department on the official or listing pages we checked in November 2026. This is not a ranking.
- Eyereum Eye Clinic – 388 Gangnam-daero, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, about 80 m from Gangnam Station. Lists cataract surgery, cataract exams and presbyopia surgery alongside laser vision correction. Profile.
- Samsung Medical Center – 81 Irwon-ro, Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu. A large general hospital whose ophthalmology department lists cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. Profile.
- Gangnam Severance Hospital – 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu. A Yonsei University hospital with an ophthalmology department and an International Health Care Center for foreign patients. Ask the center which cataract lens options are offered. We have not profiled its eye clinic yet; our Yonsei profile covers the main Severance Eye Hospital in Sinchon.
- B&VIIT Eye Center – GT Tower, 411 Seocho-daero, at Gangnam Station Exit 9 (Seocho-gu side). Lists refractive cataract surgery. Profile.
How do I get to Gangnam from Incheon or Gimpo?
A limousine bus is the easiest option with luggage or an older companion; from Gimpo, Line 9 is fastest.
| From | Option | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Incheon | Limousine 6009 (Sinsa, Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam Station) | ~70 min |
| Incheon | Limousine 6703 (Sinnonhyeon, Westin Parnas/COEX, Seolleung) | ~70 min |
| Incheon | Taxi | 70–90 min, ~₩70,000–100,000 |
| Gimpo | Line 9 express to Sinnonhyeon | ~35 min |
What should I send a Gangnam provider before I travel?
Send enough for the surgeon to judge whether your case is straightforward, because that decides whether a private clinic or a hospital is the better fit and how many days you need. Hospitals in particular may ask for records before they offer an appointment.
- Recent eye records: your local diagnosis, visual acuity, eye pressure and any retina or OCT scans, translated or in English.
- Medical history: diabetes, blood-thinning medicines, prostate medicines such as tamsulosin (which can affect the iris during surgery), allergies and previous eye surgery, including LASIK, which changes lens calculations.
- Your priorities: whether you want to read, drive at night or use a computer without glasses, so the clinic can suggest suitable lens types and quote them.
- Travel details: dates, a companion's name, and whether you need wheelchair or interpreter support at the hospital.
Expect a full measurement visit on arrival, including biometry to calculate lens power and a dilated retinal exam, before the surgery date is confirmed. If the measurements show something unexpected, such as macular disease, a responsible clinic may change the lens recommendation or refer you to a hospital. See getting medical records in English, medical interpreters in Seoul and travel insurance for eye surgery abroad.
Private clinic or university hospital: which suits me?
A private clinic is usually quicker to book and focused on lens choice; a university hospital is better when you have glaucoma, retinal disease, diabetes or other conditions that make surgery more complex.
| Private eye clinic | University hospital | |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Often within days | Can take longer; go through the international center |
| Lens range | Usually broad premium range | Varies; ask in advance |
| Complex cases | Some refer on | Retina and glaucoma specialists in-house |
| Example in Gangnam | Eyereum, B&VIIT | Samsung Medical Center, Gangnam Severance |
See private clinic vs university hospital in Korea.
What lens options will I be offered?
The cloudy natural lens is removed, usually by ultrasound phacoemulsification through a small incision, and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Monofocal lenses give clear vision at one distance; toric lenses also correct astigmatism; extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) and trifocal lenses reduce dependence on glasses but can cause halos or glare at night. Some clinics also offer laser-assisted cataract surgery. Compare monofocal vs multifocal IOLs and multifocal IOLs in Korea.
Risks are uncommon but real: infection, inflammation, raised eye pressure, retinal detachment and later clouding of the lens capsule, which is treated with a quick laser. A full dilated exam decides what is safe for you.
How much does cataract surgery cost in Gangnam?
Seoul prices run about ₩1.5M–₩7.5M per eye (approximately $1,100–$5,500, at about ₩1,350–1,400 per dollar, checked in 2026). The low end reflects standard monofocal lenses and the top end premium trifocal or toric-trifocal lenses. Korean residents enrolled in National Health Insurance pay much less for standard surgery; visitors without it pay the full fee. See cataract surgery cost in Korea.
How long should I stay, and where?
Plan about a week per eye, or 1–2 weeks if both eyes are done a few days apart, so you can attend the next-day and one-week checks. Hotels along Teheran-ro (Gangnam Station to Yeoksam) or near COEX suit clinic visits around Gangnam Station; Samsung Medical Center patients may prefer to stay further south or arrange taxis. See where to stay near Gangnam eye clinics.
How does Gangnam compare with Myeongdong for cataract surgery?
Gangnam has more providers and the large hospitals; Myeongdong has at least one clinic with a broad premium lens list and is convenient for central hotels. See cataract surgery in Myeongdong.
Sources
Key facts
- Priced: per eye, ≈₩1.5M–₩7.5M (≈$1,100–$5,500)
- Biggest cost driver: lens type (monofocal, toric, EDOF, trifocal)
- Typical trip: 1–2 weeks for both eyes
- Hospital option: Samsung Medical Center
- Full guide: Cataract surgery in Korea
Related guides
Independent directory. Prices are typical ranges reported by Seoul clinics and change often. Always confirm a written quote and get a full eye exam before booking. This page is general information, not medical advice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is cataract surgery priced per eye in Korea?
Yes. Cataract surgery is quoted per eye, unlike laser vision correction, which is usually quoted for both eyes. Ask whether the exam, lens, medication and follow-ups are included.
Can both eyes be operated on during one trip?
Often yes. Many surgeons operate on the second eye a few days to a week after the first. Plan 1–2 weeks in Seoul.
Do Gangnam hospitals help foreign patients?
Gangnam Severance Hospital runs an International Health Care Center, and many private clinics have international coordinators. Contact them before you book flights.
When can I fly after cataract surgery?
Many patients fly after the one-week check, but your surgeon decides. See flying after eye surgery.
Planning vision correction in Seoul?
Compare clinics by district, check 2026 price ranges, and read our step-by-step planning guide for international patients.