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Last updated: 2/21/2025

ReLEx SMILE eye surgery in Republic of Korea: Our Best Clinics and Costs 2025

Why consider the Republic of Korea for ReLEx SMILE eye surgery?

  • Accredited clinics: JCI-certified hospitals uphold world-class standards in patient care and safety.
  • Modern technologies: Clinics employ equipment like the VisuMax femtosecond laser, known for its precision and minimal invasiveness in relex smile procedures.
  • High success rates: ReLEx SMILE achieves an efficacy rate of 98% in correcting myopia and astigmatism. This ensures excellent visual outcomes.
  • Expert surgeons: Leading ophthalmologists, certified by prestigious institutions, have performed over 10,000 ReLEx SMILE surgeries. Their extensive experience and expertise are well-documented.

Access advanced ReLEx SMILE eye surgery solutions in trusted clinics from $2,322.

85 %
patient recommendation
15 K+
patients
820К+ patients have got assistance since 2014
50 countries
1,500 clinics
6K+ reviews
3K+ qualified doctors

How Much Does ReLEx SMILE eye surgery Cost in Republic of Korea?

The cost of ReLEx SMILE eye surgery in South Korea typically ranges from $2,300 to $2,500. Prices depend on the clinic, the surgeon’s experience, and whether both eyes are treated. In the United States, the average cost is $3,500 (per AAO). This means ReLEx SMILE in South Korea is about 31% less than in the U.S.

South Korean clinics usually include pre-surgery exams, the SMILE procedure for both eyes, post-op medications, and follow-up visits in the price. In the U.S., the listed cost often covers only the surgery, with separate charges for exams, medications, and follow-ups. Always confirm what’s included with your chosen clinic.

Republic of KoreaTurkeyAustria
ReLEx SMILE eye surgeryfrom  $2,322from  $2,550from  $2,200
The price research is based on updated and verified costs from the Bookimed partner clinics.

Your Benefits and Guarantees with Bookimed

Transparent Prices & Flexible Installments

No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for ReLEx SMILE eye surgery upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.

Verified Clinics & Doctors Only

Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in ReLEx SMILE eye surgery and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.

Free 24/7 Assistance

Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your ReLEx SMILE eye surgery journey.

Why we?

Your personal Bookimed medical coordinator

  • Supports you at every stage
  • Helps choose the right clinic and doctor
  • Ensures quick and convenient access to information

Our ReLEx SMILE eye surgery Packages in Republic of Korea October 2025

ReLEx SMILE eye surgery

BGN Eye Hospital

Republic of Korea, Busan

Kim Mi Jin

16 years of experience
  • South Korea is one of the primary destinations for vision correction surgeries. BGN is one of the best eye clinics in Korea due to the high-quality level of equipment. ReLEX SMILE surgery is performed in this clinic. BGN is among several medical facilities worldwide that offer this innovative technique of vision correction.
  • Pay attention that the BGN doctors provide the ReLEx SMILE cost per both eyes. The starting price is stated above. The eye drops are necessary after the surgery, so you pay for them additionally. A patient needs to stay at Busan for a week, but BGN provides in-hotel stay only per night.
  • The examination of vision before and after the surgery is included into the SMILE laser eye surgery cost. However, each patient has to undergo complete eye screening before the surgery. You may undergo all necessary tests in your native country or at BGN for a couple of days before the surgery. These diagnostic tests are not included in the final ReLEx SMILE price.
  • BGN is a well-known Korean vision center among international patients due to excellent services, affordable prices, and seasonal discounts. BGN ophthalmologists perform over 300,000 eye surgeries every year.
4.47 reviews
ClearVue SMILE

Gangnam Grand Eye Clinic

Republic of Korea, Seoul

Lee Kwan Hoon

20 years of experience • 30000+ treatments performed
  • Lee Kwan Hoon is a certified expert in ReLEx SMILE by Carl Zeiss.
  • Gangnam Grand Eye Clinic offers the ClearVue SMILE procedure specifically tailored for vision correction.
  • Included Services: 1 PRP session, consultation with an ophthalmologist, follow-up visit, follow-up examination.
  • Stay Info: Accommodation is not included; no hotel stay required.
  • Technique: ReLEx SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) vision correction.

Discover the Best ReLEx SMILE eye surgery Clinics in Republic of Korea: 4 Verified Options and Prices

The Bookimed clinic ranking is based on data science algorithms, providing a trusted, transparent, and objective comparison. It takes into account patient demand, review scores (both positive and negative), the frequency of updates to treatment options and prices, response speed, and clinic certifications.

ReLEx SMILE eye surgery Overview in Republic of Korea

Takeaways
Related procedures & Costs
How it works
What to expect
Pros & Cons
Benefits
Payment
patients recommend -
85%
Stay in the country - 1 day
Rehabilitation - 1 day
Anesthesia - Local anesthesia
Requests processed - 15215
Verified patient reviews - 12
Bookimed fees - $0

Our Trusted Doctors

View all Doctors
verified

Lee Young Seob

18 years of experience • 30000+ treatments performed

Dr. Lee Young Seob is a board-certified ophthalmologist and Chief Director. He specializes in retina, cataract, and advanced vision correction procedures. His expertise includes SMILE, Contoura Vision, and lens implant surgery. Dr. Lee graduated at the top of his class from Kyung Hee University College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Kyung Hee University Hospital. He has also served as a clinical professor at Ajou University Hospital. Dr. Lee has held leadership positions at major eye clinics.

He has performed over 15,000 cataract and refractive surgeries, including LASIK, LASEK, SMILE, and ICL implantation. Dr. Lee is known for his surgical skill. He holds certifications of excellence in SMILE LASIK, ICL/Toric-ICL, and several intraocular lens implantations, such as LISA Tri, FineVision, and PanOptix.

Dr. Lee is an active member of leading ophthalmology societies. These include KOS, AAO, KSCRS, ASCRS, and ARVO.

verified

Lee Kwan Hoon

20 years of experience • 30000+ treatments performed

Dr. Lee Kwan Hoon is an ophthalmologist and Chief Director. He specializes in retina, cataract, vision correction, SMILE, Contoura, and lens implantation. He graduated from Dankook University College of Medicine. He completed his residency and a retina fellowship at Dankook University Hospital. Dr. Lee also works as an adjunct professor at Dankook University.

He has held several leadership roles. These include Director at BGN Eye Clinic Jamsil Lotte Branch, Head of Ophthalmology at Armed Forces Capital Hospital, and Director of the Retina Center at Kim Eye Clinic in Masan. Dr. Lee has performed over 10,000 cataract and refractive surgeries. He has also completed more than 15,000 retinal procedures and surgeries.

Dr. Lee is a member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Korean Retina Society. He is certified in LISA Tri, FineVision, and PanOptix intraocular lens implantation. He is also a certified expert in ReLEx SMILE by Carl Zeiss.

Video Stories from Bookimed Patients

Denys
Imagine waking up and seeing everything crystal clear without reaching for glasses or fumbling with contacts.
Procedure: ReLEx SMILE eye surgery
Clinic: Dunyagoz Eye Hospital Istanbul Etiler

Reviews about Bookimed: Discover Patients' Insights

All reviews
Aizhan Savet
Kazakhstan
Oct 12, 2019
Verified review.
Rude staff. And the trip turned out to be in vain. So much time, effort and money was spent. Documents were preliminarily sent, and extracts available at that time, treatment passed, etc. They invited me to the examination and obtain a preliminary treatment plan, although it was clear to the provided procurers that treatment was impossible. They did the same thing that they had sent earlier, shrugged their hands and said Excuse me, we can’t help ...
BGN Eye Hospital
Дарья Эдуардовна • Blepharoplasty (Eyelid correction)
Russian Federation
Dec 5, 2018
Verified review.
"We will go with you and advise others !!!"
The high level and quality of medicine in the clinic Severence city of Korea. The clinic is huge, everything is beautiful, clean. Our doctor really liked, quickly and easily found a common language with her and came to a single solution to our problem. Thanks to the Bookimed website for the organization and a special thanks to the coordinator who quickly responded! We will go with you and advise others !!!
Severance Hospital
Mikhail Krasnoperov • Cataract
Russian Federation
Apr 19, 2019
Verified review.
"I'm leaving my vision 100% for both eyes, thank you very much I am happy
Excellent clinic BGn stay in the clinic went very well and successfully. Dr. Lee Dong Eun is a highly classy positive person specialist. He did everything perfectly well after the examination. He came with a cataract on both eyes, the right eye was hardly seen. I'm leaving my vision 100% for both eyes, thank you very much I am happy. The medical staff at the clinic works like a good watch. Attentive are courteous attentive very polite complete comfort. The single chamber is all that is necessary to eat cleanly comfortably. Especially about the coordinator of the clinic Valchenko Maria, a correct excellent specialist, a wonderful person with her does not arise, no problems can solve everything, thanks. Service satisfied everything went well. Well done good organization of success to you
About Bookimed service
I'm happy with the service, everything went well. Well done, good organization, good luck to you
BGN Eye Hospital
Гуламжан • Cataract
Kazakhstan
Oct 3, 2022
Verified review.
Thank you Bookimed
Thank you Bookimed.com and the Clinic is very nice and the results are quick!!
About Bookimed service
Yes Thanks everyone
Severance Hospital
Anonymous • Consultation with an ophthalmologist
Russian Federation
Jan 21, 2020
Verified review.
The results are exactly as I wanted
Loved the staff. Everything is fast, clear and of high quality.
Severance Hospital

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Updated: 10/03/2022
Authored by
Anna Leonova
Anna Leonova
Head of Content Marketing Team
A certified medical writer with 10+ years of experience, developed Bookimed’s trusted content, backed by a Master’s in Philology and medical expert interviews worldwide.
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Reviewed by Bookimed Medical Advisor
Fahad Mawlood
Medical Editor & Data Scientist
General practitioner. Winner of 4 scientific awards. Served in Western Asia. Former Team Leader of a medical team supporting Arabic-speaking patients. Now responsible for data processing and medical content accuracy.
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This page may feature information relating to various medical conditions, treatments, and healthcare services available in different countries. Please be advised that the content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or guidance. Please consult with your doctor or a qualified medical professional before starting or changing medical treatment.

Fast Facts about ReLEx SMILE eye surgery

ReLEx SMILE eye surgery

A minimally invasive laser vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism.

Pros: Less invasive than LASIK surgery with no flap creation, reducing the risk of dry eye syndrome by up to 40%. Faster recovery times and fewer complications due to its small incision. Suitable for patients with thin corneas.
Cons: Limited availability for treating hyperopia compared to other refractive surgeries. Requires specialized equipment, which is not available in all clinics.
Effectiveness: 96% success rate in achieving 20/40 vision or better.
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes.
Recovery: 1-2 days.
Best for: Individuals with myopia up to -10 diopters and astigmatism up to 5 diopters.
Prices: View costs of other techniques

FAQ about ReLEx SMILE eye surgery in Republic of Korea

These FAQs come from real patients seeking medical assistance through Bookimed. Answers are given by experienced medical coordinators and trusted clinic representatives.

What should you know about South Korea before the trip?

Currency

South Korean Won (you also can pay for services in dollars)

Best period for the trip

April, May & June or September, October & November.

Language

Korean (most of medical staff speaks English fluently)

Visa

none required for stays under 90 days or less

Time difference with Europe

9 hours

Time difference with the USA

9 hours

Capital

Seoul

Medical tourism center

Seoul

Popular resorts

Gangwon-do, Gyeongju, Boseong, Jeju

What is the level of medicine in South Korea?

Healthcare is the key development sector of the Korean government. The Korean authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 1 billion a year for medical tourists attraction.

According to Mark Britnell, hospitals dominate the health system. 94% of hospitals are privately owned.

What hotel services are provided here?

In South Korea, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.

Do I need a visa to South Korea?

Today, South Korea has visa-free agreements with 112 states. None visa is required for stays under 90 days or less. To stay longer in this country, you need a visa. What states need a visa for treatment in South Korea and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.

What documents are required to apply for a visa to South Korea for treatment?

Visas for travel to South Korea require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes:

  • ID card
  • confirmation of online registration and filling out the questionnaire
  • certificate of income and availability of funds
  • insurance policy for a stay in South Korea (original and copy)
  • 2 photos (5x6)
  • visa receipt
  • booking of flight and hotel
  • medical opinion about the need for treatment.

What are the most popular plastic surgery procedures?

According to ASPS statistics, 17.7 mln cosmetic surgeries and 5.8 mln reconstructive procedures have been performed in 2018. Among cosmetic procedures the most popular are:

  • breast augmentation
  • liposuction
  • rhinoplasty (nose job)
  • eyelid surgery
  • tummy tuck.

Tumor removal, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision, hand surgery are the most common operations in the context of reconstructive surgery.