Analysis Report

Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic

Oh Jung-woo Representative Director In-Depth Analysis

2Day LASEK Vision Correction Patient Experience

Key Points

Specialized Vision Correction

Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic is a medical institution specializing in vision correction surgery located on Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Since 2008, it has established a unique position in the field of vision correction by researching and developing '2Day LASEK'.

Authored by Director Oh Jung-woo

Representative Director Oh Jung-woo is an ophthalmology specialist from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine. He is recognized for his authority in both clinical and academic fields, having been the first in Korea to introduce Amaris Red 1050RS equipment and winning the Korean Ophthalmological Society Academic Award for research on '2Day LASEK'.

Advanced Core Procedures

Core procedures include '2Day LASEK', which reduces the recovery period to 2 days, 'Smart LASIK (5th Generation SMILE LASIK)' using the Schwind ATOS equipment, and 'ICL Lens Implantation' for high myopia.

Enhanced Patient Experience

Hospital characteristics include operating 'Lounge EOS', which maximizes Patient Experience (PX) through a 'Space Revolution' project that goes beyond a simple medical institution, and employing a differentiated branding strategy that offers specialty coffee and rest spaces.

In-Depth Analysis of Representative Director Oh Jung-woo

Education and Major Career

Representative Director Oh Jung-woo graduated from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine and its Graduate School, and completed his Ophthalmology Specialist and Doctor of Medicine (Ph.D.) courses at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. He served as the Cornea Director at St. Vincent's Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea, and dedicated himself to training juniors and clinical research as a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Catholic University of Korea. He is currently active as an Outpatient Professor of Ophthalmology at the Catholic University of Korea.

His expertise has been proven through activities in leading domestic and international academic societies. He is an active member of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), exchanging the latest knowledge. Notably, he has been selected as a 'Clinical Research Specialist' and 'Premium Doctor' by Schwind, the manufacturer of the Amaris laser, receiving international recognition in the field of laser vision correction.

Research Achievements and Awards

  • Korean Ophthalmological Society Academic Award (2016): Director Oh won the Korean Ophthalmological Society Academic Award, which is rare for a private practitioner, through his research titled 'Comparison of High Order Aberrations according to the difference between the planned ablation area and the actual ablation area during Trans-PRK (2Day LASEK) and LASEK surgery using the Amaris Red 1050RS Excimer Laser'. This is a case where his academic depth was recognized given that he is a private practitioner, not a university hospital professor.
  • European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) Research Presentation (2017): He officially presented the results of his 2Day LASEK research at the European Society of Ophthalmology held in Barcelona, Spain. This research contains findings that 2Day LASEK reduces wound recovery time by more than 37% compared to existing LASEK and prevents night glare by improving wavefront values by more than 12%.
  • High Myopia Research: By announcing clinical results and efficacy analysis of 2Day LASEK for high myopia patients with over -8 diopters, he presented a new treatment option for patients who had no alternative other than lens implantation.

Medical Philosophy and Style

Synthesizing patient reviews and reputation, Director Oh Jung-woo is evaluated as a "conservative doctor who prioritizes safety."

  • Conservative Surgical Criteria: Even for patients diagnosed as eligible for LASIK or SMILE LASIK at other hospitals, he often recommends only LASEK, which has higher long-term safety, considering factors such as corneal thickness and pupil size. This is interpreted as a philosophy that prioritizes the patient's eye health over unreasonable surgery.
  • Meticulous Treatment: The dominant evaluation is that he explains the patient's eye condition in great detail and professionally during consultations, and shows a caring attitude to reassure patients in the operating room.

Hospital Information & Patient Experience

Overview and Location

Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic is a specialized ophthalmology medical institution located near Gangnam Station in Seoul, the center of vision correction surgery in South Korea. Since introducing the Amaris laser for the first time in Asia in 2008, the clinic has focused on improving the safety and recovery speed of vision correction surgeries through continuous equipment upgrades and clinical research.

The hospital uses the 18th floor (Examination Center), 19th floor (Surgery Center), and 20th floor (Outpatient Center) of the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Seocho Building (Seocho Tower) at 355 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, implementing specialized compartmentalized treatment.

Space Revolution & Patient Experience (PX)

A key feature is that it presents a new paradigm of medical service through a 'Space Revolution Project' that considers patients' lifestyles and psychological stability beyond simple vision correction. Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic combined cultural elements with medical services with the goal of being a 'hospital where space is the protagonist'.

Lounge EOS

Transformed the hospital waiting area from a simple waiting room into a premium lounge where patients can enjoy specialty coffee and desserts. Collaborates with Barista Jung In-seong of Rule Coffee to provide hand-drip coffee and introduces seasonal menus in partnership with famous dessert brands. This strategy aims to alleviate the tension of patients awaiting surgery and to make the hospital visit itself a positive experience.

Examination and Medical System

About 70 types of precision tests are performed over approximately 2 hours before surgery. Potential side effects are fundamentally blocked through Avellino DNA testing, corneal topography (5 methods), and retinal examinations. The clinic is equipped with retinal laser equipment to immediately treat retinal abnormalities upon discovery without transferring the patient to a university hospital.

Major Procedures and Technological Capabilities

1. 2Day LASEK

2Day LASEK, the signature procedure of Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic, is a surgical method that Director Oh Jung-woo has researched and developed since 2010. It is an 'All-Laser LASEK' method using the Amaris Red 1050RS laser, ablating the epithelium and stroma in one step using only a laser.

  • Minimized Damage: The area of corneal epithelial damage is reduced by approximately 40% compared to existing methods, reducing pain and increasing recovery speed.
  • Fast Recovery: It is possible to remove the protective lens and return to daily life on average 2 days (48 hours) after surgery.
  • Safety: The corneal ablation surface is smooth, resulting in excellent vision quality and lowering the possibility of corneal haze and myopic regression.

2. Smart LASIK (5th Generation SMILE LASEK)

EOS Eye Clinic implements Smart LASIK by introducing Schwind's latest equipment, 'ATOS'. Compared to existing SMILE LASIK equipment (VisuMax), the laser firing speed is faster at 4MHz (VisuMax is 500kHz), and it is equipped with a 7-dimensional eye tracking device to compensate for micro-movements and rotation (Cyclotorsion) of the pupil during surgery.

  • Custom-Fit Technology: Surgery is customized by analyzing the corneal thickness and high order aberrations of each individual patient.
  • Safety: Since no corneal flap is created and the lenticule is removed through a micro-incision of about 2mm, the incidence of dry eye syndrome is low and it is resistant to external impacts.

3. ICL Lens Implantation and Presbyopia/Cataract Surgery

ICL Lens Implantation: A surgery where a special lens is inserted inside the eye without cutting the cornea, suitable for patients with high myopia or thin corneas. Director Oh Jung-woo was selected as a 'Best Skilled User' for Toric ICL (for astigmatism correction) and holds the certification for the highest number of procedures in Korea.

Presbyopia/Cataract: Simultaneously corrects presbyopia and cataracts through laser cataract surgery and multifocal intraocular lens implantation.

4. Equipment and Technical Infrastructure

Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic operates world-class advanced equipment for optimal surgical results.

  • Amaris Red 1050RS: The core equipment for 2Day LASEK, boasting the fastest firing speed of 1050Hz among existing excimer lasers. Features 7-Dimensional Eye Tracking and minimized thermal damage due to fast firing speed.
  • SCHWIND ATOS: Femtosecond laser equipment for Smart LASIK. Offers precise astigmatism correction through eye rotation compensation and minimal incision technology.

Reputation and Comprehensive Analysis

Positive Evaluations

  • Trust in Surgical Results: Many patients prove through actual reviews that "it was possible to remove the protective lens in 2 days and return to daily life". Trust in Director Oh Jung-woo's surgical skills and conservative safety standards is particularly high.
  • Systematic System: Operations from examination to surgery and post-operative care are systematic, and there are many evaluations that the staff are friendly and professional.
  • Pleasant Environment: There are favorable reviews that the luxurious interior and services (coffee, dessert) of Lounge EOS relieve the boredom of waiting times.

Negative Evaluations and Considerations

  • Long Waiting Times: Due to thorough examinations and a large number of patients, waiting times can be long even with a reservation. Eye exams alone take 1-2 hours, and including the wait for consultation, it often takes more than half a day.
  • Cost: There are opinions that the surgical costs are set somewhat higher than other hospitals as they provide premium equipment and services. (e.g., 2Day LASEK is around 2.0~2.5 million KRW).
  • Factory-like Feel: Due to the large scale of the hospital and the high volume of patients, some patients may feel it is like a "factory-type hospital" or feel that the counseling manager's response is mechanical.

Conclusion

Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic and Representative Director Oh Jung-woo are a successful case of combining the essence of medicine, Safety and Technology, with the patient experience elements of Space and Service.

Director Oh Jung-woo's research achievements in 2Day LASEK are the hospital's core competitiveness, which, combined with conservative surgical criteria, forms a high level of trust. However, high costs and long waiting times act as opportunity costs that patients must accept when choosing premium medical services.

This report was written based on the latest data, patient reviews, and academic materials from the 2024-2025 period, suggesting that Gangnam EOS Eye Clinic can be a very strong option for patients considering vision correction surgery when technical perfection and safety are prioritized.