Recovery guide

Follow-up care after returning home from eye surgery in Korea

The FDA says LASIK patients should be seen within 24–48 hours and then at regular intervals for at least six months. If you fly home after surgery in Seoul, have your early checks in Korea, take full records in English, and book a local optometrist or ophthalmologist for the 1-, 3- and 6-month reviews.
Reviewed November 2026 · Seoul LASIK Clinic Directory
Follow-up care after returning home from eye surgery in Korea

What follow-up care do I need after eye surgery?

The FDA says you should see your doctor within the first 24–48 hours after LASIK, and then at regular intervals for at least the first six months. For international patients, the early checks happen in Seoul and the later ones usually at home.

Follow-up is not a formality. The early visits confirm the flap or surface is healing, check eye pressure after ICL, and catch infection or inflammation while they are easy to treat. Later visits measure whether your prescription has stabilised, manage dry eye and decide whether any enhancement is needed.

What is a typical follow-up schedule by procedure?

Schedules vary by clinic. This table shows a common pattern and where each visit usually happens for a short trip.

Visit LASIK PRK / LASEK SMILE ICL
Same day Brief check before leaving Brief check Brief check Eye pressure checked hours after surgery (Seoul)
Day 1 Seoul Seoul Seoul Seoul
Days 3–7 Seoul if still there Bandage lens removal, Seoul Seoul if still there Around 1 week, usually Seoul
1 month Home or remote Home Home or remote Home
3 months Home Home Home Home
6 months Home Home Home Home
Long term Routine eye exams Routine eye exams Routine eye exams Regular checks of pressure, lens position, the cornea's inner cell layer and the natural lens

This is why we suggest at least 1–3 nights in Seoul after LASIK or SMILE, 5–7 after PRK or LASEK, and about a week after ICL. See flying after LASIK and the 7-day ICL trip itinerary.

What happens at each follow-up visit?

Each visit has a slightly different purpose, so it helps to know what your local doctor should check.

  • Day 1: vision, flap or surface position, signs of infection or inflammation; eye pressure after ICL.
  • Week 1: healing, how you are tolerating drops, bandage lens removal after PRK or LASEK.
  • Month 1: vision and prescription, dry eye, any haze after surface procedures.
  • Month 3: stability of the prescription, halos and glare, and review of any ongoing steroid course.
  • Month 6: final result, and whether an enhancement is worth discussing.

Ask your local doctor to send a short report to the Seoul clinic, or forward it yourself by email. That keeps your surgeon informed and builds the record you will need if an enhancement is ever considered.

What records should I take home?

Everything a new doctor would need to look after your eyes, in English. The AAO advises keeping a record of your pre- and post-operation eye information for any future eye surgery; cataract surgery decades later depends on it.

  • Pre-operative measurements: prescription, corneal topography or tomography, corneal thickness, pupil size
  • Operative report: procedure, laser or lens model, treatment settings, flap or cap details
  • For ICL: lens model, power and size, and the latest pressure and vault readings
  • Discharge summary and all drop prescriptions with dosing schedule
  • Results of each follow-up visit in Korea
  • The clinic's contact details, international coordinator and messaging app

Korea's Medical Service Act gives patients the right to view and receive copies of their own records, but an English summary is a separate service from a copy or a full translation, so ask early. Our guide to getting medical records in English explains how; a medical interpreter can help.

How do I find a doctor at home for follow-up?

Book before you travel. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists will see patients treated elsewhere, but some prefer not to take on surgery done abroad, and waiting lists can be long.

  • Ask a local optometrist or ophthalmologist whether they will do post-refractive checks and what they charge.
  • Ask the Seoul clinic whether it partners with doctors in your country or offers video follow-up.
  • Book your 1-month appointment before you fly, and bring all your records.
  • For ICL, find an ophthalmologist rather than only an optometrist, because pressure and lens position need specialist review.

Who pays if something goes wrong after I get home?

Clarify it before surgery. Ask whether the clinic's price includes follow-up visits and any enhancement within a set period, and whether it covers costs abroad. Many travel and health insurance policies exclude complications of elective surgery overseas; see travel insurance for eye surgery abroad.

What warning signs need urgent care at home?

Contact a local eye doctor or emergency service the same day, then message your Seoul clinic, if you notice:

  • Pain that is getting worse rather than better
  • Increasing redness, discharge or light sensitivity
  • Vision that drops suddenly or steadily
  • A blow to the eye followed by blur or pain
  • After ICL: severe eye pain with headache, nausea or halos, which can signal raised pressure

The FDA advises contacting your eye doctor immediately about any new, unusual or worsening symptoms at any point after surgery, rather than waiting for a scheduled visit.

When can I have an enhancement if my vision is not right?

Only once your vision is stable. The FDA says measurements should be consistent at two visits at least three months apart before any re-operation. Many patients return to Korea for this; see vision regression after LASIK and LASIK enhancement in Korea. This is general information; your surgeon will set your own follow-up plan.

Sources

Key facts

  • First check: within 24–48 hours (FDA), always in Seoul
  • Ongoing checks: regular intervals for at least 6 months (FDA)
  • Before any retreatment: stable measurements at two visits at least 3 months apart (FDA)
  • Keep for life: pre- and post-op measurements, needed for future eye surgery (AAO)
  • Records: see getting medical records in English

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

How many follow-up visits are needed after LASIK?

The FDA says within 24–48 hours, then at regular intervals for at least six months. A common pattern is day 1, week 1, and months 1, 3 and 6.

Can my optometrist at home do my LASIK follow-up?

Often yes for LASIK, SMILE and PRK/LASEK, if they agree and have your records. After ICL, ophthalmologist review is advisable.

What should I ask my Korean clinic for before I leave?

An English summary with your pre-op measurements, operative details, drop schedule and follow-up results. Ask how to contact them from home.

Do Korean clinics offer remote follow-up?

Many international departments answer questions by messaging apps or email, and some offer video calls. Ask what is included before surgery.

How long do I need to stay in Korea after eye surgery?

At least until the day-one check after LASIK or SMILE, until the bandage lens is out after PRK or LASEK, and about a week after ICL.

Planning vision correction in Seoul?

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