High myopia: Treatment Options in Korea
What counts as high myopia?
High myopia is nearsightedness stronger than −6.00 diopters (D). The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) uses this cut-off and describes it as severe myopia. The eye is usually longer than average, which stretches the retina and is why high myopia carries more long-term risk than milder nearsightedness.
Some surgeons also talk about extreme myopia above about −10 D. These are working labels, not strict medical classes; what matters for surgery is your exact prescription, your corneal thickness and the space inside your eye. For the basics of nearsightedness, see our myopia guide.
Why is high myopia harder to correct with a laser?
Laser surgery corrects myopia by removing corneal tissue, and higher prescriptions need deeper treatment. NVISION Eye Centers estimates that roughly 12–15 microns are removed per diopter, so a −10 D correction can take well over 100 microns from a cornea that averages about 540–550 microns.
Surgeons protect corneal strength by checking what is left. The AAO's EyeWiki notes that a residual stromal bed under 300 microns and a percent tissue altered of 40% or more are associated with higher risk of ectasia, a progressive weakening of the cornea. That is why many people with high myopia are steered toward an implantable lens. Our guides to corneal thickness for LASIK and LASIK prescription limits explain the numbers.
How is high myopia assessed before surgery?
Expect a longer exam. Beyond refraction and corneal scans, clinics measure the depth of the front chamber of the eye, the corneal endothelial cell count and the white-to-white diameter to size an ICL, and perform a dilated retinal exam to look for thinning or tears.
If the retina shows weak areas, some surgeons recommend preventive laser treatment before refractive surgery. Bring old prescriptions so the clinic can confirm your myopia is stable. See the pre-op eye exam guide.
Which procedures in Seoul treat high myopia?
ICL is the most common answer above about −8 to −10 D, but laser surgery is not ruled out for moderately high prescriptions with thick corneas.
| Situation | Usually considered | Seoul price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| −6 to about −8 D, thick normal cornea | SMILE, LASIK or LASEK | ₩1.5M–₩3.2M both eyes |
| Above about −8 to −10 D, or thin cornea | EVO ICL | ₩4M–₩6.5M both eyes |
| High myopia with astigmatism | Toric ICL | ≈₩5M–₩7.5M both eyes |
| Not enough space for an ICL | Artisan/Artiflex lens or glasses/contacts | Quoted individually |
| Over about 45 with early lens changes | Refractive lens exchange | ₩1.5M–₩6.5M per eye |
Is ICL better than laser surgery for high myopia?
For many people with high myopia, yes: ICL corrects large prescriptions without thinning the cornea, and the lens can be removed or exchanged. The trade-off is that it is intraocular surgery, with different risks and a higher price.
The STAAR Surgical EVO Visian ICL, the lens most Seoul clinics use, sits behind the iris in front of your natural lens. The U.S. FDA approved the EVO/EVO+ ICL in 2022. The FDA lists risks for phakic lenses including faster loss of corneal endothelial cells, cataract, raised eye pressure, retinal detachment, infection and the need for further surgery to reposition or replace the lens. Read ICL vs LASIK, ICL vs SMILE and EVO ICL vs Artisan.
What does high myopia treatment cost in Seoul?
A standard EVO ICL costs about ₩4M–₩6.5M for both eyes (approximately $2,900–$4,700); toric ICL about ₩5M–₩7.5M for both eyes. Laser surgery for a suitable cornea costs ₩1.5M–₩2.5M (LASIK or LASEK) or ₩2.2M–₩3.2M (SMILE) for both eyes. These ranges were checked in 2026. See ICL cost in Korea and EVO ICL cost.
Does surgery remove the risks of high myopia?
No. Surgery changes how light is focused, but the eye stays long and the retina stays stretched. The AAO warns that severe myopia raises the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataract, and advises regular retinal exams.
Learn the warning signs of retinal detachment: a sudden shower of floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain across your vision. These need same-day care wherever you are. Keep a dilated retinal check in your annual routine after surgery, and arrange follow-up care at home before you travel.
How long should I stay in Seoul?
Plan about 5–7 days for ICL so the clinic can check your eye pressure and lens position over several visits, and 3–5 days for SMILE or LASIK. A 7-day ICL trip itinerary shows how a week fits together. This page is general information; only the ophthalmologist who examines you can recommend a procedure.
What should I ask a Seoul clinic about high myopia?
Go in with specific questions, because the answers show how carefully a clinic assesses high prescriptions.
- How much corneal tissue would remain after laser surgery, and what is my percent tissue altered?
- What is my anterior chamber depth and endothelial cell count, and am I within the ICL sizing range?
- How will you size the lens, and what happens if the vault is too high or too low?
- Did my dilated retinal exam show any thin areas or tears, and do they need treatment first?
- Who is my surgeon, and how many ICL operations do they perform?
Sources
Key facts
- Definition (AAO): myopia over 6 diopters
- Most common Seoul option: EVO ICL, ₩4M–₩6.5M both eyes (≈$2,900–$4,700)
- Laser surgery: possible only if enough corneal tissue remains
- Extra risks: retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataract are more likely with high myopia
- Compare: high myopia options guide
Related guides
General information, not medical advice. Only a full eye exam by a licensed ophthalmologist can confirm your diagnosis and which treatment is safe for you.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you get LASIK with −8 or −10 myopia?
Sometimes at −8 D with a thick cornea, rarely at −10 D. Surgeons calculate how much tissue would remain; if it falls below safe limits they recommend ICL instead.
Is ICL safe for high myopia?
ICL is an established option, but it is intraocular surgery. The FDA lists risks including cataract, raised eye pressure, corneal endothelial cell loss and retinal detachment, so long-term check-ups matter.
How much is ICL for high myopia in Korea?
About ₩4M–₩6.5M for both eyes for a standard EVO ICL in 2026, and about ₩5M–₩7.5M for a toric ICL that also corrects astigmatism.
Does high myopia surgery reduce retinal detachment risk?
No. The eye's length does not change, so the retinal risks of high myopia remain. Keep having dilated retinal exams after surgery.
What if my eye is too small for an ICL?
If the front chamber is too shallow, an ICL may not be safe. Alternatives include an iris-fixated lens, laser surgery for part of the prescription, or continuing with glasses or contacts.
Planning vision correction in Seoul?
Compare clinics by district, check 2026 price ranges, and read our step-by-step planning guide for international patients.