Cataract surgery in Seocho, Seoul: Clinics, Cost & Patient Guide
Why consider Seocho for cataract surgery?
Seocho combines one of Korea's best-known university eye centers with private clinics a few stops away. That suits patients who want a hospital setting for a complex eye, or a private clinic with a wide lens menu, without changing hotels.
The district is largely residential: Banpo's riverside apartment estates, the Express Bus Terminal and its department store, the courts around Seocho and Gyodae, and the Seoul Arts Center. Streets around Express Bus Terminal are flat and well connected, which helps older travellers.
What does Seoul St. Mary's Hospital offer?
Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, at 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, is the Catholic University of Korea's teaching hospital, with about 1,200 beds. Its Eye Center runs separate clinics for cornea, cataract and refractive surgery, retina, glaucoma, oculoplastics, paediatrics and neuro-ophthalmology. It has a long record with intraocular lenses: it began implanting them in 1978, the first Korean university hospital to do so, and reported 80,000 cumulative implantations by 2017. It sits beside Express Bus Terminal Station. Profile.
A hospital is the better choice if you also have glaucoma, retinal disease, diabetes affecting the eyes, previous eye surgery or a dense cataract. Expect more formal booking through an international office. See private clinic vs university hospital.
Which private clinics in Seocho list cataract surgery?
These list cataract surgery on the official or listing pages we checked in November 2026. Not a ranking.
- B&VIIT Eye Center – GT Tower, 411 Seocho-daero, Gangnam Station Exit 9. Lists refractive cataract surgery. Profile.
- Apgujeong Eye Clinic – 597 Gangnam-daero (Jamwon-dong), by Sinsa Station. Its English listing includes cataract surgery; confirm lens options. Profile.
- Glory Seoul Eye Clinic – 2F, 3 Seocho-daero 74-gil, near Gangnam Station. Lists standard and multifocal cataract surgery, including laser-assisted surgery with the CATALYS femtosecond laser. Profile.
- Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic – 405 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam Station Exit 10. Lists cataract surgery among its four main procedures. Profile.
BGN Eye Clinic is sometimes listed at a Gangnam-daero address in Seocho, but BGN's official site (checked November 2026) lists only its Seoul branch at Lotte World Tower in Jamsil and its Busan hospital, so we do not list it here. See the BGN profile.
What happens on cataract surgery day?
Cataract surgery in Korea is usually a day procedure: you arrive in the morning, have surgery under local anaesthetic, and return to your hotel the same day. Exact routines differ between hospitals and clinics, so follow your own instructions.
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Identity and consent checks, pupil-dilating drops, final review of the lens choice |
| Surgery | Numbing drops, sometimes light sedation; the eye is cleaned and covered; the lens is replaced, typically in under half an hour |
| Recovery area | Short rest and pressure check; a protective shield is placed |
| Going home | Written drops schedule, shield to wear at night, emergency contact number |
| Next day | Check of vision, pressure and inflammation; the shield may come off in daytime |
Bring a companion who can read the drops instructions and help you on the subway or into a taxi; your vision may be blurred and your pupil dilated. Tell the team about blood thinners, diabetes medicines and any prostate medicine before the day. Avoid bending, heavy lifting, eye rubbing and swimming until your surgeon says otherwise. See using eye drops after surgery and medical interpreters in Seoul.
How do I get to Seocho from the airports?
From Gimpo, Line 9 express stops at Express Bus Terminal, right by Seoul St. Mary's. From Incheon, a limousine to Gangnam Station or a taxi is simplest.
| From | Option | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Gimpo | Line 9 express to Express Bus Terminal | ~30 min |
| Incheon | Limousine 6009 to Gangnam Station, then taxi | ~80–90 min |
| Incheon | Taxi | 70–90 min, ~₩70,000–100,000 |
| Incheon (late night) | Night bus N6000 to Express Bus Terminal | Long route; check timetable |
Which lens should I choose?
The cloudy natural lens is removed, usually by phacoemulsification through a small incision, and replaced with an intraocular lens. Monofocal lenses give one clear focal distance with the fewest night-vision effects; toric lenses also correct astigmatism; EDOF and trifocal lenses widen the clear range but may cause halos and glare. Some eyes are not suited to multifocal lenses, so the choice follows the exam. See monofocal vs multifocal IOL, multifocal IOLs and laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Risks are uncommon but real: infection, inflammation, raised pressure, retinal detachment, and later capsule clouding treated with a short laser procedure.
How much does cataract surgery cost in Seocho?
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), mainly depending on the lens. University hospitals and private clinics both quote per eye. Korean residents with National Health Insurance pay less for standard monofocal surgery; visitors usually pay the full fee. See cataract surgery cost.
How does Seocho compare with Gangnam and Myeongdong?
Gangnam-gu has more private clinics and two large hospitals (Samsung Medical Center and Gangnam Severance). Seocho has St. Mary's and the clinics on Gangnam-daero. Myeongdong has a private clinic with a long premium-lens list. See cataract surgery in Gangnam and in Myeongdong.
Where should I stay?
Large hotels around Express Bus Terminal and Banpo are a short walk from St. Mary's and on Line 9 for Gimpo; for B&VIIT, Glory Seoul or Gangnam Smile, stay near Gangnam Station. Plan about a week per eye.
Sources
Key facts
- University hospital: Seoul St. Mary's, 222 Banpo-daero
- Nearest station: Express Bus Terminal (Lines 3, 7, 9)
- Private clinics: B&VIIT, Glory Seoul, Gangnam Smile
- Priced: per eye, ≈₩1.5M–₩7.5M (≈$1,100–$5,500)
- Trip: 1–2 weeks for both eyes
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
Does Seoul St. Mary's Hospital treat foreign patients?
Yes, large university hospitals in Seoul accept international patients, usually through an international healthcare office. Contact it before booking flights and send recent eye records.
Is a university hospital better than a private clinic for cataracts?
Not automatically. Hospitals suit complex eyes and other health conditions; private clinics often book faster and offer more lens choices.
Is cataract surgery quoted per eye?
Yes, per eye. Confirm what the quote includes: exam, lens, surgery, drops and follow-ups.
How long after cataract surgery can I fly?
Many patients fly after the one-week check, but follow your surgeon's advice.
Planning vision correction in Seoul?
Compare clinics by district, check 2026 price ranges, and read our step-by-step planning guide for international patients.