Executive Summary
Clinic Overview
Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic (near Nonhyeon Station) specializes in vision correction, presbyopia, and cataract surgery, known for its 'Glass-walled Surgery Room' and advanced laser equipment.
Director Seo's Contribution
Director Seo Jeong-gi, a Yonsei University alumnus, significantly contributed to the clinic's early growth and medical system, acclaimed for his extensive experience and patient-customized approach.
Key Update: Director Relocation
As of January 2024, Director Seo Jeong-gi has relocated to Ilsan Yewon Eye Clinic. Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic is now led by Representative Directors Han Seung-soo and Lee Seong-hoon.
Report Scope
This report analyzes Director Seo's legacy at Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic, the hospital's infrastructure, major procedures, pricing, and patient experience data.
Director Profile: Seo Jeong-gi
Profile & Career
Education
- Graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine
- Completed Ophthalmology Residency at Yonsei University Severance Hospital
- Majored in Hospital Management at Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Health
Key Career Highlights
- Former Representative Director, Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic
- Former Chief of Ophthalmology, Armed Forces Goyang Hospital
- Former Director at Sky Eye Clinic, Chief of Ophthalmology at Suncheon Medical Center and Yeongam Hospital
- Training at Emory University, USA
Academic Activities
- Regular member of the Korean Ophthalmological Society (KOS)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS)
- Korean Cornea Society (KCS)
Areas of Expertise & Clinical Reputation
Director Seo Jeong-gi's main areas of practice are **presbyopia/cataract surgery** and **vision correction surgery (LASIK, LASEK, SMILE)**. He is known for avoiding overtreatment and recommending customized solutions based on the patient's eye condition, especially noted for precision in cataract surgery.
Important Status Change
As of January 2024, Director Seo Jeong-gi has moved to Ilsan Yewon Eye Clinic and commenced practice there.
Patients seeking direct treatment from Director Seo Jeong-gi should visit Ilsan Yewon Eye Clinic. Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic is currently led by Representative Directors Han Seung-soo and Lee Seong-hoon.
Hospital Information
Overview and Location
Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic Gangnam Branch is located on the 3rd, 8th, and 9th floors of the Dochung Building, 519 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong).
It boasts excellent accessibility, being adjacent to Nonhyeon Station (Subway Line 7 and Shinbundang Line). The clinic also operates as a network hospital with an Incheon branch (Bupyeong).
Brand Philosophy & Strategy
The hospital's name, 'Brand', encapsulates its philosophy of "Making your eyes a masterpiece."
A distinctive feature is the **'Glass-walled Surgery Room,'** allowing guardians to observe surgeries. This transparency strategy aims to alleviate patient anxiety and build trust by emphasizing openness in medical procedures.
Key Procedures & Equipment
Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic actively invests in the latest equipment to provide advanced ophthalmic care. Here are the characteristics of its major procedures and equipment:
Vision Correction Surgery (Refractive Surgery)
- SMILE LASIK: Utilizes **SCHWIND ATOS** equipment for '5th Generation SMILE LASIK (Smart LASIK)'. Features include cyclotorsion compensation for astigmatism, minimized intraocular pressure, and smoother lenticule removal.
- LASIK/LASEK: All-laser surgeries performed using excimer laser equipment such as Amaris Red, designed to minimize corneal ablation.
Presbyopia and Cataract Surgery
- Laser Cataract Surgery: Equipped with both **LENSAR** and **CATALYS** femtosecond laser systems. These technologies allow for precise, circular incision of the lens capsule and laser fragmentation of the clouded lens, enhancing accuracy, reducing complications, and speeding recovery. LENSAR specifically integrates Augmented Reality (AR) for 3D eye data analysis.
- Intraocular Lenses (IOL): Offers a variety of premium multifocal lenses including PanOptix, Vivity, Eyhance, and G-Metric, allowing for customized lens selection based on patient lifestyle.
Other Special Clinics
- Dry Eye Clinic: Provides IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser therapy to restore meibomian gland function.
- Implantable Contact Lens (ICL): A vision correction option for patients with high myopia or thin corneas, which does not involve cutting the cornea.
Reputation and Patient Experience Analysis
Positive Evaluation Factors
- High Accessibility and Facilities: Easy access due to its location on Gangnam-daero, with spacious and pleasant waiting and examination rooms.
- Systematic Examination System: Possesses various examination equipment comparable to university hospitals for precise eye condition checks, with detailed explanations from optometrists.
- Cost-effectiveness and Events: Attractive to younger demographics due to reasonable prices through various discount events (examinees, partnerships, etc.).
Negative Evaluation & Concern Factors
- Wait Times and "Factory-style" System: Being a large clinic, wait times can be long, and some patients report fatigue from a perceived mechanical system.
- Post-op Discomfort: Some reviews mention initial pain or delayed visual recovery after surgeries like LASEK, which are often part of the general recovery process.
- Dependency on Marketing: Active marketing, including YouTube memberships for reviews, leads to concerns about potential discrepancies between marketing image and actual medical quality.
Rating Data
- Gangnam Unni: 9.2/10 (Over 1,300 reviews)
- Modoodoc: Over 2,400 certified reviews, maintaining a high rating
- Sungyesa: Rating 4.3/5.0
These data generally indicate that patient satisfaction belongs to the upper tier.
Price and Cost Analysis (Focus on Non-covered Medical Expenses)
Major surgical costs are non-covered items and may vary depending on events and patient's eye condition. Estimated cost ranges are as follows:
| Procedure Item | Cost Range (Bilateral) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK | Approx. 1M ~ 2M KRW | Mid-1M KRW range when events are applied |
| LASEK | Approx. 1M ~ 2M KRW | Varies depending on options like 2-day LASEK |
| SMILE LASIK | Approx. 2M ~ 3M KRW | Cost may increase when using 5th gen ATOS equipment |
| Lens Implantation (ICL) | Approx. 4M ~ 6M KRW | Additional costs apply when using toric lenses for astigmatism |
| Presbyopia/Cataract Surgery | 1.5M ~ 6M KRW per eye | Large deviation depending on the type of intraocular lens selected (monofocal vs. multifocal) |
*Note: The above prices are estimates based on publicly available data at the time of the survey and may vary based on consultation results upon actual hospital visits.
Conclusion and Recommendations
**Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic - Gangnam Branch** has established its competitiveness in the Gangnam ophthalmology market by featuring state-of-the-art equipment (ATOS, LENSAR, etc.) and promoting a transparent surgical environment (Glass-walled Surgery Room). Its large-scale facilities, systematic examination system, and reasonable pricing policy are attractive factors for patients.
**Director Seo Jeong-gi** was a pivotal medical staff member who contributed significantly to the growth of this hospital, possessing proven skills in the cataract and vision correction fields. However, since he **moved to Ilsan Yewon Eye Clinic as of January 2024**, patients wishing to receive treatment directly from Director Seo Jeong-gi must visit that hospital. If you plan to visit Gangnam Brand Eye Clinic, it is advisable to check the fields of expertise of the current representative directors (Han Seung-soo, Lee Seong-hoon, etc.) and proceed with consultation.
Final Recommendations:
- Check Medical Staff: If you desire treatment from a specific director (such as Director Seo Jeong-gi), be sure to reconfirm their current affiliated hospital.
- Compare Prices: Carefully compare the final estimate, including event prices and actual additional costs (astigmatism correction, corneal strengthening, etc.).
- Understand Equipment: It is advantageous to approach the consultation with prior knowledge of which equipment is suitable for your eye condition (e.g., VisuMax vs. ATOS for SMILE LASIK).
This report was written by synthesizing publicly available web data, patient reviews, and hospital disclosure materials, and cannot substitute for medical judgment.