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Contoura Vision in Korea: Topography-Guided LASIK Explained

What is Contoura Vision?

Contoura Vision is a form of LASIK in which the laser treatment is planned from a topography map of your cornea, not only from your glasses prescription. It runs on Alcon's WaveLight excimer laser platform.

Standard LASIK reshapes the cornea based on your refraction. Topography-guided LASIK adds a Placido-ring scan (the Topolyzer captures about 22,000 elevation points) so the laser can also smooth small irregularities on the corneal surface. The FDA approved topography-guided LASIK on the WaveLight platform in 2013 for myopia and myopic astigmatism, and Alcon launched it under the Contoura Vision name in 2015.

The planning software, known as T-CAT, combines several topography scans with your measured prescription. The surgeon reviews the plan before treatment, which is why good-quality scans and a steady, well-aligned eye during measurement matter.

How well does topography-guided LASIK work?

In the FDA trial, 92.7% of eyes reached 20/20 or better uncorrected vision at three months, and 68.8% reached 20/16. About 30% of eyes gained at least one line of best-corrected vision.

Patients in the trial also reported fewer problems with glare, halos and night driving after surgery than before. A later review of FDA data found Contoura outcomes compared well with other platforms, but noted that its trial patients had milder prescriptions on average, which may have favoured the results. Results for any one person cannot be predicted or guaranteed.

Trial results describe groups of carefully selected eyes treated under study conditions. Your own outcome depends on your prescription, corneal shape, healing and the experience of the team, so ask the clinic for its own results with similar eyes.

Who benefits most from Contoura Vision?

Contoura may help most when the corneal surface is slightly irregular or when the astigmatism on topography differs from the astigmatism in your glasses. People with very regular corneas may see little difference from standard LASIK.

• Moderate astigmatism or slightly decentred corneal shape
• Good agreement between topography and refraction data
• Enough corneal thickness for LASIK; see corneal thickness for LASIK
• No keratoconus: abnormal topography rules out laser surgery

A Seoul surgeon with experience of over 1,000 Contoura cases has described careful screening for keratoconus as essential. Start with Am I a candidate for LASIK? and a full pre-op eye exam.

How does Contoura compare with other options?

Contoura is still LASIK, so it shares LASIK's flap, recovery and risks. The difference is in how the treatment is planned.

Wavefront-guided LASIK is another customised approach: it plans treatment from how light travels through the whole eye, rather than from the shape of the corneal surface. Surgeons choose between these methods based on your scans. Compare flap and surface options in LASIK vs PRK and SMILE vs LASIK in Korea.

How much does Contoura Vision cost in Korea?

Standard LASIK in Seoul costs ₩1.5M–₩2.5M (approximately $1,100–$1,900). We could not verify a consistent 2026 price for Contoura across Seoul clinics, so ask each clinic for a written quote.

Confirm whether the quote covers both eyes, the pre-op exam, medicines and follow-up visits, and whether a retreatment warranty is included. See the LASIK cost guide and LASIK cost in Korea vs the USA.

What happens on surgery day and during recovery?

Treatment takes about 15–20 minutes for both eyes under numbing drops, and you go home the same day. Recovery is the same as standard LASIK: most people see well within a day.

1. The clinic repeats key measurements and confirms the treatment plan.
2. A femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap, which is folded back.
3. The WaveLight excimer laser applies the topography-guided treatment in seconds.
4. The flap is laid back in place, and you rest briefly before leaving with drops.

Expect watering, light sensitivity and a scratchy feeling for several hours, then a next-day check. Use drops as prescribed and protect the flap by not rubbing your eyes. Plan to stay 3–5 days in Seoul. Our LASIK recovery day by day guide covers the first month.

What are the risks?

Contoura carries the same risks as any LASIK. Topography guidance does not remove them.

• Dry eye, often temporary
• Glare or halos at night
• Under- or over-correction needing an enhancement
• Flap complications or inflammation
• Rarely, corneal ectasia

Read LASIK side effects and ask an ophthalmologist about your own risk.

How do you choose a clinic for Contoura?

Choose a clinic on the surgeon's experience and the quality of its screening, not on the brand name of the treatment. Topography-guided LASIK only helps if the scans are accurate and the plan is checked carefully.

• Ask which laser and topographer the clinic uses, and how many scans are taken
• Ask how often the surgeon chooses topography-guided over standard treatment, and why
• Ask what tests are used to screen for keratoconus
• Ask whether the price covers both eyes, follow-up visits and any enhancement

A clinic that recommends standard LASIK, SMILE or no surgery for your eyes may be giving you honest advice. Get a written report of your measurements so you can seek a second opinion, and keep it for any future eye surgery, including cataract surgery decades later, when knowing exactly how your cornea was treated helps with lens calculations.

Sources

• American Academy of Ophthalmology – FDA approves topography-guided LASIK
• Clinical Ophthalmology (PMC) – Comparison of FDA data for three LASIK platforms
• Novartis – Alcon introduces Contoura Vision
• EyeWorld Korea – Topography-guided treatment with Contoura Vision

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Contoura Vision better than regular LASIK?

It can give sharper results for some eyes, especially those with slight corneal irregularity. For very regular corneas the difference may be small. Your surgeon should explain whether your topography makes it worthwhile.

Is Contoura Vision available in Seoul?

Yes, some Seoul clinics with the Alcon WaveLight platform offer topography-guided LASIK. Ask which laser and mapping system a clinic uses before booking.

Does Contoura reduce night glare?

In the FDA trial, glare, halos and night-driving problems were reported less often after treatment than before. Individual results vary and some people still notice halos.

How much does Contoura cost in Korea?

Standard LASIK in Seoul costs ₩1.5M–₩2.5M; Contoura is priced by each clinic. Get a written quote stating whether it covers both eyes and follow-up care.

Can Contoura treat keratoconus?

No. Keratoconus is usually a reason not to have LASIK. Treatments such as corneal cross-linking are used to stabilise it instead.

Planning vision correction in Seoul?

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