LASIK in Korea typically costs about 1.0 to 1.5 million won per eye (roughly 730 to 1,100 US dollars) at the clinics that publish prices, lower than published US and Singapore ranges. But in Korea the question is often not LASIK at all: flapless SMILE is the most common vision correction procedure there, and it works differently from conventional LASIK. Below are the published prices, the technical differences, and what to ask before you book.
Key facts at a glance
- LASIK in Korea: about 1.0 to 1.5 million won per eye (one Korean eye clinic chain’s published range, undated).
- SMILE in Korea: about 1.2 to 2.5 million won per eye, from the same source.
- What is common in Korea: Zeiss reports SMILE makes up about 80 percent of refractive procedure volumes there.
- Procedure time: the procedure itself takes less than 30 minutes; a follow-up visit is needed within 24 to 48 hours.
- Cnect price: depends on your exam and technique, so contact us for a quote.
- Languages: Cnect supports English, Chinese, Indonesian, and Malay.
Not sure which suits you? Book a free consultation and tell us your prescription and travel dates.
Flapless SMILE is the common choice in Korea
Conventional LASIK cuts a thin flap in the front of the cornea, lifts it, reshapes the tissue underneath with a laser, and lays the flap back. SMILE, short for small incision lenticule extraction, uses a femtosecond laser to shape a small disc of tissue inside the cornea and removes it through an opening of about 2 to 3 mm. There is no flap.
In Korea this flapless method has become the mainstream option. Zeiss, the laser’s manufacturer, reports that SMILE accounts for approximately 80 percent of refractive procedure volumes in Korea. That is a manufacturer’s figure and not a government statistic, but it matches what you see when you compare clinic menus: many Korean clinics lead with SMILE and offer LASIK as one option among several.
How SMILE and conventional LASIK differ technically
The gap is in the method, not in a promise of better vision. Published trials report visual and refractive outcomes similar to LASIK. The differences are in how the cornea is treated.
| Point | Conventional LASIK | SMILE (flapless) |
|---|---|---|
| Corneal flap | Yes, a thin flap is cut and lifted | No flap; opening of about 2 to 3 mm |
| Front corneal layers | The flap cuts through the anterior tissue | The anterior stroma, the strongest layer, is preserved |
| Corneal nerves and dry eye | More nerves cut; sensitivity recovers in about 6 to 12 months | Fewer nerves cut; sensitivity recovers in about 3 to 6 months |
| Early visual recovery | Often slightly faster on day 1 | Slightly slower early on; similar within 2 to 3 weeks |
| Corneal strength | Flap weakens the front layers in theory | Stronger in models, but direct measurements in studies are mixed |
The nerve and dry-eye figures come from a review in Touch Ophthalmology. Note that the biomechanical advantage is a theoretical one, and some studies found no significant difference, so it is not a reason to choose SMILE by itself. SMILE is used mainly for nearsightedness and astigmatism, and your doctor may still recommend LASIK or another procedure depending on your eyes.
LASIK cost in Korea vs the US and Singapore
The table below puts published per-eye ranges side by side. The currencies differ, and the sources are a clinic blog and a Singapore consumer article, so compare the pattern, not the last digit.
| Where | LASIK per eye | SMILE per eye | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korea (one Korean eye clinic chain) | 1.0 to 1.5 million won (about US$730 to 1,100) | 1.2 to 2.5 million won (about US$880 to 1,840) | BGN Eye Clinic price page, undated |
| United States | US$2,000 to 3,000 | US$2,000 to 3,500 | Same page, undated |
| Singapore, SNEC (public) | S$1,940 to 2,049 | S$2,594 to 2,812 | MoneySmart, 15 July 2025 |
| Singapore, NUH (public) | S$1,594 to 2,455 | S$2,187 to 3,226 | MoneySmart, 15 July 2025 |
Singapore private clinics are listed from S$3,535 for both eyes in the same article. SMILE is usually priced at or above LASIK in every row, so a flapless procedure in Korea can still cost less than LASIK elsewhere. Prices change, so confirm the current figure with any clinic before you plan around it. For Cnect’s partner hospitals, prices are quoted after your eye exam, so please contact us for a quote.
What changes the price
- Technique: LASIK, LASEK, and SMILE are priced differently. See our guide to SMILE vs LASIK in Korea.
- Your prescription and corneas: thin corneas, high prescriptions, or dry eyes can change which procedure is suitable and what it costs.
- Equipment and surgeon: newer laser platforms and more experienced surgeons tend to cost more.
- What the quote covers: pre-surgery tests, both eyes, follow-up visits, and drops may be inside or outside the price.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the price per eye or for both eyes?
- Which technique does this price cover, LASIK or SMILE?
- Are the eye exam, follow-up visits, and drops included?
- What happens if I need an enhancement later?
- How many days must I stay after surgery?
Planning a LASIK or SMILE trip to Busan
A typical visit has three steps: an eye exam to confirm you are a candidate, the procedure, and a check-up within 24 to 48 hours. Cnect, a registered Busan medical tourism agency, arranges the interpreter, airport pickup, and follow-up visits. For lodging and recovery days, see our Busan recovery travel guide, and for the service itself, see LASIK and SMILE in Busan.
Ready to plan? Book a free consultation and a coordinator will reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does LASIK cost in Korea?
Published clinic ranges are roughly 1.0 to 1.5 million won per eye for LASIK, about 730 to 1,100 US dollars, and 1.2 to 2.5 million won per eye for SMILE. Your quote depends on the technique, your prescription, and the clinic, so ask for the price after your eye exam.
Is SMILE the same as LASIK?
No. Both reshape the cornea to correct vision, but LASIK creates a thin corneal flap, while SMILE is flapless and works through a small 2 to 3 mm opening. Results are similar in trials, and the choice depends on your eyes.
Why is flapless SMILE so common in Korea?
Zeiss reports that SMILE accounts for about 80 percent of refractive procedure volumes in Korea. Korean clinics have performed it in large numbers for years, and the flapless technique preserves more of the cornea’s front layers. It is not right for everyone, so the exam decides.
Is LASIK cheaper in Korea than in the US or Singapore?
Published ranges are lower in Korea than in the US, where one source lists 2,000 to 3,000 US dollars per eye. Singapore’s public hospitals list about 1,600 to 2,450 Singapore dollars per eye for LASIK. Compare the same technique and what is included, not only the headline number.
What is usually included in a LASIK or SMILE price?
This varies by clinic. Ask whether the quote covers the pre-surgery eye exam, both eyes, follow-up visits, and eye drops, and whether any enhancement is covered.
How long do I need to stay in Korea?
The procedure itself takes less than 30 minutes, and a follow-up visit is needed within 24 to 48 hours. Most people plan a few days in Busan so the doctor can check the eyes before the flight home, but your doctor sets the schedule.
Can foreigners get LASIK or SMILE in Busan?
Yes, foreign patients can have vision correction in Busan after a full eye exam confirms they are a candidate. Cnect arranges the interpreter, pickup, and follow-up visits, and can book your consultation in English, Chinese, Indonesian, or Malay.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Consult a licensed doctor before deciding on surgery. Last updated October 2, 2026.
Sources: EyeWorld, penetration of refractive procedures in various markets; Touch Ophthalmology, SMILE vs LASIK; BGN Eye Clinic, vision correction surgery costs across countries; MoneySmart, LASIK and ReLEx SMILE in Singapore (15 July 2025); FDA, LASIK.