LASEK in Korea

If you're in South Korea and you're ever planning to have LASIK/LASEK done, I'd definitely recommend getting it done while you're here.  In the states, the average cost is around $3600 and can go up depending on how bad your eyesight is.  In Korea, you're charged a flat rate that's generally less than half the cost of it's American counterpart.  Given how cheap it is here, Alan's been planning to go under the laser since we got here.  I was not originally planning to do so myself but I eventually succumbed to Alan's prodding that I might as well do it too.

Alan did loads of research on the various procedures available and the doctors and facilities that we could choose from.  After comparing the various procedures, we both decided to have all-laser LASEK done.




To do the corrective surgery, you have to access the inner cornea.  The procedures differ in how that layer is reached.
So here's a quick overview on LASIK vs LASEK.

During LASIK, a flap is made with the outer layer of your cornea and is moved aside while the laser re-shapes your cornea.  It is then replaced just as before.  There is only mild discomfort involved post-surgery and the healing process only lasts a day or two.

During LASEK, the epithelium that covers your eye is loosened with an alcohol solution and pushed to the side for the laser.  It is then replaced and left to heal.  The recovery and vision stabilization process is longer and more painful for this procedure.

All laser LASEK (which we had done) is similar to PRK in the fact that the epithelial layer is completely destroyed during the procedure but uses the laser to do so.  The recovery process is also longer and rather painful for this procedure because the epithelial cells have to regenerate (though it's supposed to be somewhat shorter than normal LASEK).  It also takes longer for your vision to stabilize-sometimes several months and your vision may be hazy for a while.



So why'd we pick the more miserable procedure?  Because a flap is created during LASIK, there's always the chance that it could open back up if you hit your head hard enough.  We're not exactly planning to knock our brains around, but I like having the peace of mind  of never having that possibility.  All laser LASEK is also supposed to have a somewhat shorter recovery time than normal LASEK because the affected area of the epithelium is smaller than in normal LASEK where you push the whole thing off to the side.






We ended up going to Sojunghannun Ophthalmology Clinic in Haeundae-gu, Busan and they were wonderful.  The clinic itself was extremely modern and probably the cleanest medical facility I've ever seen.  Before the surgery, you're required to go through a load of vision and eye tests and then consult with the doctor about your options. The nurses were all kind and comforting and Dr. Kim had a calming voice and good personality.  They have individual waiting rooms each equipped with their own massage chairs and lockers and they bring you a tray with cake and warm milk tea for while you wait and think about lasers slicing through your eyes.  You also receive a complimentary 16GB USB drive.



When it was time for the surgery, the nurse came in and dressed me up.  I went first because I wasn't sure if I could go through with it if I went second.  The nurse took my arm in one hand and put her other arm around my shoulders as she led me to the procedure room. Given my state of near panic at the thought of watching lasers cut into my eyes, it was very comforting.   The room has a two door system and you're given an air shower before entering.  They numbed my eyes with eye drops and started the procedure, one eye at a time.  One nurse's job was just to hold my hands the entire time (she held Alan's as well) and it was much appreciated.  That's definitely something I appreciate about Korea.  I don't think you have a designated hand holder for your surgery in the States.

The operation itself went smoothly and the laser itself was only uncomfortable.  You have to stare at the red light in the center, but once the laser's on, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain your focus.  The worse your prescription is, the longer your laser time.  I went around 20 seconds for each eye while my nearly blind husband had to endure over 40.  The steps after the laser time were much worse than the laser itself.  Eye drops galore (some of which were opaque and completely obscured your vision) and mini eye squeegees (really weird when you can't feel it).  Then the ice cube.  Yep.  They stick an ice cube on your eyeball and it's torture.  It doesn't hurt your actual eye (remember, it's numbed).  But it's the worst brain freeze you'll ever experience.  And then the worst part comes....mercilessly ripping the mask off your face. But then they lead you back to the waiting room where you get to sit and rest with an ice pack for a while.

Rocking the sunglasses post-surgery

The morning after LASEK

One of the reasons we chose this clinic in particular was their post-surgery driving service.  They drive you anywhere you need to go in Busan after the surgery.  When we told them we were going to the KTX Station to go back to Ulsan, the nurse just looked at us a moment and walked out.  When she came back, she said that they'd just drive us all the way to our apartment in Ulsan.  I've never been so thankful for anything in my life because that first night sucked.  The doctor jokingly told us after the surgery, "I bet you're asking yourself now, why did I get LASEK instead of LASIK".  The pain wasn't the only problem for me, however.  Alan's eyes, though painful and sensitive, were fine after the surgery.  My eyes, on the other hand, swelled shut within minutes and were swollen for the next 2-3 days.  After the first night however, the pain was manageable.  I at least no longer wanted to rip my eyes out of my head.  And after the first couple of days, the worst part is the irritation from the protective lenses they put in, itchiness, and the cloudy/hazy vision.  We had the procedure done on Saturday evening and, though the nurse strongly recommended me staying home, I was able to go to work Monday morning. My eyes were still pretty swollen that day and I just kept my eyes shut most of the time (yay for coloring days and busywork) and the rest of this week I just wore sunglasses to help with the sensitivity.

There is some post-surgery care and precautions you have to take.  You get four sets of eye drops (color coded for ease)...The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial drops are used three times a day.  You get pain drops to help with the pain for the first few days and then you get loads of bottles of artificial tears to help with the dryness.  You're not supposed to rub your eyes (which is harder than it sounds) or get water/sweat in them for two weeks.  You can't drink alcohol for a month after the procedure and it's recommended that you wear sunglasses outside for a couple months.

Six days after the surgery, Alan and I went back to the clinic to have the protective lenses removed.  It felt amazing.  The irritation was immediately gone.  We both still have cloudy and blurry vision and dry eyes, but it's completely tolerable now that those lenses are gone.  Eye drops sharpen our vision, but only for a short while and it should get better in time.  For now, we're both just ecstatic that we don't have super dry contacts in anymore.




In total, the procedure cost us 160 man won or $1600 each.  The total for two sets of nice sunglasses, all the meds, travel costs, and two LASEK procedures was cheaper than one person getting laser eye surgery in the States and the work and service is probably better quality here.   When this recovery process is over, we both should have at least nearly if not totally perfect vision.  I'd definitely say it was worth it and I recommend it for anybody staying here for any length of time.