Condition guide

Myopia (nearsightedness): Treatment Options in Korea

Myopia (nearsightedness) blurs distant vision because light focuses in front of the retina. In Seoul, adults with a stable prescription can choose LASIK or LASEK (₩1.5M–₩2.5M, both eyes), SMILE (₩2.2M–₩3.2M) or, for high myopia, ICL (₩4M–₩6.5M both eyes), after a full eye exam.
Reviewed November 2026 · Seoul LASIK Clinic Directory
Myopia (nearsightedness): Treatment Options in Korea

What is myopia?

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means close objects look clear while distant ones look blurry. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) explains that the eye is either slightly too long or the cornea too steeply curved, so light focuses in front of the retina instead of on it.

It is very common and rising: the AAO cites estimates that nearly half the world's population could be nearsighted by 2050. Myopia usually appears between ages 8 and 12, can worsen through the teens, and tends to change little between about 20 and 40. Genetics plays a part, and more time outdoors in daylight lowers a child's risk.

Eye doctors grade myopia by the strength of the correction, in diopters (D):

  • Low myopia: under −3.00 D
  • Moderate myopia: −3.00 to −6.00 D
  • High myopia: over −6.00 D (see our high myopia guide)

How is myopia diagnosed?

Myopia is diagnosed in a comprehensive eye exam that measures how your eyes focus light. Adults read an eye chart while the doctor refines the prescription with a phoropter; children may be measured with a retinoscope.

If you are considering surgery, Seoul clinics go much further. A typical pre-op workup measures your refraction with and without dilating drops, corneal thickness (pachymetry), corneal shape (topography and tomography), pupil size, tear film and eye length, and checks the retina. These results decide which procedure is safe for you. Our pre-op eye exam guide walks through the visit, and the eye exam cost guide covers fees.

Which treatments in Seoul address myopia?

Glasses and contact lenses work for everyone. For adults who want to reduce their dependence on them, Seoul clinics offer corneal laser surgery and implantable lenses. The right choice depends mostly on your prescription and your cornea.

Situation Procedures usually considered Seoul price (both eyes, 2026)
Low to moderate myopia, normal cornea LASIK, SMILE, SMILE Pro LASIK ₩1.5M–₩2.5M; SMILE ₩2.2M–₩3.2M; SMILE Pro ₩3M–₩5M
Low to moderate myopia, thinner cornea or contact sports LASEK or PRK LASEK ₩1.5M–₩2.5M; PRK ₩1.3M–₩2.2M
Myopia with astigmatism Laser surgery or toric ICL Toric ICL ≈₩5M–₩7.5M
High myopia or too little corneal tissue ICL / EVO ICL ₩4M–₩6.5M
Over about 45 with presbyopia Monovision laser or lens exchange RLE priced per eye
Children and teens Glasses, ortho-k and myopia control Not surgery

USD equivalents are approximate at about ₩1,350–1,400 per dollar: LASIK roughly $1,100–$1,900 and ICL roughly $2,900–$4,700 for both eyes.

LASIK, SMILE or ICL: which suits my myopia?

For low to moderate myopia with a healthy, thick-enough cornea, LASIK and SMILE give similar visual results; the choice is mostly about flap versus keyhole incision, recovery and price. ICL becomes the stronger option as the prescription rises, because it removes no corneal tissue.

LASIK lifts a thin flap and reshapes the tissue beneath with an excimer laser. SMILE uses a femtosecond laser, such as the ZEISS VisuMax 500 or VisuMax 800 (SMILE Pro), to cut a small disc of tissue that is removed through a 2–4 mm incision. LASEK and PRK reshape the surface with no flap, at the cost of a slower, more uncomfortable first week. Compare them in SMILE vs LASIK, LASIK vs PRK and ICL vs LASIK.

Who should not have surgery for myopia yet?

You should wait if your prescription is still changing, if you are under 18, or if your eyes have a condition that makes surgery unsafe. Surgeons generally want a prescription stable for at least a year.

For children, the AAO lists ways to slow myopia rather than correct it: more time outdoors, low-dose atropine drops (which slowed progression in about 70% of children in the studies it cites), overnight orthokeratology lenses, and peripheral defocus contact lenses. The AAO adds that there is no scientific evidence that eye exercises, vitamins or pills cure myopia. Adults may be turned away from corneal laser surgery because of thin or irregular corneas, keratoconus or severe dry eye; see Am I a candidate for LASIK?

What are the risks of myopia surgery?

All refractive surgery carries risks. The AAO lists glare, halos around lights and poorer night vision among possible side effects, and dry eye is common in the first months, especially after LASIK. Rarer problems include infection, under- or over-correction needing an enhancement, and corneal ectasia after laser surgery. ICL adds intraocular risks such as raised eye pressure and cataract.

Myopia itself carries long-term risks that surgery does not remove. The AAO notes that severe myopia raises the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma and cataract, so keep up regular retinal checks after surgery. Read more in LASIK side effects.

How do I plan treatment in Seoul?

Book a full exam first, ideally on day one of your trip, and stay at least a few days after laser surgery or about a week after ICL. Ask for your results and surgical report in English for your eye doctor at home, and take an itemised quote that says whether it covers one eye or both. Start with the LASIK cost guide and Gangnam LASIK clinics. This page is general information; only an ophthalmologist who examines you can say which procedure is right.

Sources

Key facts

  • What it is: light focuses in front of the retina, so distant objects blur
  • Grades (AAO): low under 3 D, moderate 3–6 D, high over 6 D
  • Laser options in Seoul: LASIK, LASEK/PRK, SMILE and SMILE Pro
  • Lens option: ICL for high myopia or thin corneas, ₩4M–₩6.5M both eyes
  • First step: a full pre-op eye exam in Korea

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

What is the best treatment for myopia in adults?

There is no single best option. For low to moderate myopia with a healthy cornea, LASIK and SMILE perform similarly; for high myopia or thin corneas, ICL is often preferred. A full eye exam decides which is safe for you.

Can myopia be cured permanently?

Surgery corrects the focusing error, but it does not change the eye's length or remove the extra retinal risks of high myopia. Some people's prescription drifts again over time and may need an enhancement or glasses.

How much does myopia surgery cost in Korea?

In 2026, Seoul clinics quote about ₩1.5M–₩2.5M for LASIK, ₩2.2M–₩3.2M for SMILE and ₩4M–₩6.5M for ICL, all for both eyes. Ask for an itemised quote that includes the exam and follow-ups.

At what prescription is LASIK not possible?

There is no universal cut-off. Surgeons check how much corneal tissue would remain after treatment; above roughly −8 to −10 D many recommend ICL instead. See our guide to LASIK prescription limits.

Can children have surgery for myopia?

Generally no. Children's eyes are still changing, so treatment focuses on glasses and on slowing progression with atropine drops, ortho-k or special contact lenses.

Planning vision correction in Seoul?

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